Mylapore Sai Baba Temple

Sai Baba, who lived from the latter half of the 19th century into the early 20th century, is revered by both Hindus and Muslims as a saint of rare spiritual presence. For many devotees, his place in faith goes even further—some worship him as a divine form and have built temples dedicated to him across India. Since his life is closely associated with Shirdi, he is widely remembered as Shirdi Sai Baba, and the temple at Shirdi remains the best-known centre of his worship.

On similar lines, Chennai too has a Sai Baba temple that draws steady devotion. It is located in Mylapore, one of the city’s most heritage-rich neighbourhoods.

The Sai Baba Temple at Ramakrishna Mutt Road, on the route towards Mandaveli, is spacious and welcoming. The walls carry paintings and visual panels that depict episodes from Sai Baba’s life, making the walk through the temple feel like a quiet narrative unfolding around you.

The main shrine houses Sai Baba’s murti, and there is a practice here that many first-time visitors notice immediately: devotees are allowed to go close, touch the murti, and offer prayers, which is not the usual custom in most Hindu temples.

Another feature that devotees speak about is the presence of a sacred flame (dhuni)—associated with the fire kept burning in Shirdi—maintained here as well, reinforcing the temple’s connection with the original shrine.

If you are in Mylapore and want a calm space for prayer, this temple is worth a stop.

Happy travelling.