Shoes come off
Shoes are removed before entering the prayer halls and left on the racks at the entrance. Socks are perfectly fine if the floor feels cold.
You are welcome
No booking. No fee. Just come.
Darshan at this temple is free and open to everyone during posted hours. You do not need to be Hindu, you do not need an appointment, and you do not need to know what to do — leave your shoes at the entrance, walk in, and take your time.
- Two temples, one campus — the Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple and the Sri Venkateswara Temple share the same grounds on West New Hope Drive, so one visit covers both.
- Come for an aarati if you can — the four daily aaratis are the heart of the day here, and they are the easiest moment to arrive as a newcomer.
- Booking is only for poojas and the hall — a priest's time, a personal pooja, or the community hall need arranging in advance. Darshan never does.
- Ask anyone — volunteers are usually near the entrance and are glad to explain what is happening.
Weekly hours
When the temples are open
The two temples on the campus keep different schedules. The Sai Baba Temple stays open through the day; the Sri Venkateswara Temple closes in the middle of the day on weekdays and stays open right through on weekends.
Sai Baba Temple today
7:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Thursday is Baba's day and the temple stays open until 9:00 PM. Please note there are no priest services between 2:00 and 5:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday — the shrines remain open for darshan during those hours.
Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple
| Day | Open | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 7:00 AM – 8:30 PM | Open through the day |
| Tuesday | 7:00 AM – 8:30 PM | Open through the day |
| Wednesday | 7:00 AM – 8:30 PM | Open through the day |
| Thursday | 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM | Baba's day — later closing |
| Friday | 7:00 AM – 8:30 PM | Open through the day |
| Saturday | 7:00 AM – 8:30 PM | No priest services 2–5 PM |
| Sunday | 7:00 AM – 8:30 PM | No priest services 2–5 PM |
Sri Venkateswara Temple
| Day | Morning | Evening |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM | 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM | 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM | 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM |
| Friday | 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM | 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM |
| Saturday | 7:30 AM – 8:30 PM, open through the day | |
| Sunday | 7:30 AM – 8:30 PM, open through the day | |
The four daily aaratis
These are offered every day of the year. If you are visiting for the first time, arriving a few minutes before one of them is the best way to see the temple at its fullest.
- Kakad Aarati — dawn
- 7:30 AM
- Madhyan Aarati — noon
- 12:00 PM
- Dhoop Aarati — dusk
- 6:30 PM
- Shej Aarati — night
- 8:00 PM
Festival days, special poojas and weather closures can shift the schedule. If your visit depends on exact timings, please call the office on 512-528-0807 or check the events calendar before you set out.
Getting here
2509 West New Hope Drive
The temple sits in Cedar Park, in Williamson County, on the northwest side of the Austin metro area. It is an easy drive from Austin, Round Rock, Leander and Georgetown.
- Street address
- 2509 West New Hope Drive
Cedar Park, TX 78613 - Mailing address
- P.O. Box 877
Cedar Park, TX 78630-0877 - Temple office
- 512-528-0807
Post and cheques should go to the P.O. Box, not the street address. For directions by public transport or for help with a specific route, call the office and someone will talk you through it.
Your first visit
What to expect inside
Nothing here is a test. These are simply the customs of the house, and knowing them in advance makes the first visit easier.
Dress modestly
Clothing that covers the shoulders and knees is the norm. Traditional Indian dress is common but never expected — comfortable, respectful clothes are enough.
What darshan means
Darshan is simply standing before the deity and being seen in return. Join the line, pause at the shrine, and move on when you are ready. There are no words you must say.
Prasadam and udi
Prasadam is blessed food offered to the deity and then shared with everyone present. Udi is the sacred ash from Baba's dhuni. Both are received in the right palm and taken with respect — never thrown away.
Quiet moments
During aarati, abhishekam and archana, please keep conversation and phones quiet. Between ceremonies the hall is relaxed and children playing is a normal sound here.
Photography
Photographs of the grounds are usually fine, but please ask a priest or volunteer before photographing inside the sanctum or during a ceremony. Some moments are not meant for a camera.
A few practical notes
- Arrive a little early for an aarati so you can find a place to sit before it begins.
- Sit where you are comfortable — the back of the hall is a fine place to watch and learn.
- Follow the line at the shrine rather than moving ahead of others; it moves quickly.
- Offerings are voluntary. Donation boxes are inside, and nothing is asked of a visitor.
- Priest services need arranging — see Priest Services, and remember there are none between 2 and 5 PM on weekends.
- If anything is unclear, ask a volunteer or call 512-528-0807.
Access & families
Coming with children, or with a mobility need
Children are genuinely welcome here — they are part of temple life, not an interruption to it. Bala Vikas and the other classes are built around them, and nobody minds a child who needs to move around during a ceremony.
- Step-free access — please call the office on 512-528-0807 before your visit so staff can arrange the easiest route in for you.
- Seating — much of the hall is floor seating. If you need a chair, ask a volunteer on arrival or call ahead and one can be arranged.
- Wheelchairs and walking aids — let the office know in advance and someone will meet you and help with shoes, doors and the shrine line.
- Feeding, changing and quiet space — facilities vary, so please ring the office to check what is available on the day you plan to come.
- Large groups and school visits — email info@saiaustin.org ahead of time so a volunteer can be there to guide you.
We would rather you called and had a clear answer than arrived hoping. The office is the right place for anything specific about the building, and the volunteers there will tell you honestly what can and cannot be arranged.
Facility rental
The community hall
The temple's community hall is available to rent for weddings and receptions, cultural functions, and religious ceremonies — for devotees and for the wider Austin community alike.
- A reservation deposit is required to hold a date. The office will confirm the current amount when you enquire.
- A signed rental policy covers use of the hall, kitchen access, setup and clean-up. It must be agreed before a booking is final.
- Bookings go through the temple office via a Rental Services Request form, and payment is arranged with the office directly.
- Dates fill early around festivals and the wedding season — enquire as far ahead as you can.
Rates, deposit amounts, capacity and available dates change, so we do not publish them here. Email or call the office and you will get current figures and a copy of the rental policy.
Contact
How to reach us
Each temple has its own line, and the office handles rentals, poojas, donations and anything administrative. Email is answered as volunteers are available.
- Sai Baba Temple
- 512-260-2721
- Sri Venkateswara Temple
- 512-986-7269
- Temple office & admin
- 512-528-0807
- info@saiaustin.org
- Street address
- 2509 West New Hope Drive
Cedar Park, TX 78613 - Mailing address
- P.O. Box 877
Cedar Park, TX 78630-0877 - SaiBabaofShirdi
For a pooja at the temple or at your home, start on the Priest Services page. For the community hall, see community hall rental above.
Send us a message
This form is a placeholder. It is not yet connected to the temple's form handler, so nothing is sent when you press submit. Until it is wired up, please email info@saiaustin.org or call 512-528-0807.
Before you come
Visitor questions
Is there a dress code?
There is no strict rule, but modest clothing covering the shoulders and knees is the custom. Traditional Indian dress is common and welcome, and ordinary respectful clothing is equally fine. Shoes are removed at the entrance, where racks are provided.
Can non-Hindus visit?
Yes, without reservation. Sabka Malik Ek — one God governs all — is the line Baba left us, and it is taken seriously here. Come in, sit at the back if you prefer, and watch. Volunteers are happy to explain what is happening and what to do with prasadam when it is offered to you.
Is there parking?
There is parking on the temple grounds, but it fills up on Thursdays, Sundays and festival days. We would rather not guess at the details for you — call the office on 512-528-0807 before a busy day and ask what to expect.
Can I bring flowers or offerings?
Yes. Flowers, fruit and sweets are all traditional offerings and are handed to a priest or placed as directed at the shrine. Please avoid anything containing meat, eggs or alcohol. If you are unsure whether something is appropriate, ask a volunteer at the entrance.
Is food served?
Annadanam — a free hot vegetarian meal — is served every Thursday and at festivals, to anyone who comes. Prasadam is also distributed after aaratis and poojas. Nothing is charged for either. Sponsoring a day of Annadanam is one of the most direct sevas at this temple; see the donations page.
How do I volunteer?
Almost everything at this temple runs on volunteers — the kitchen, bhajans, classes, festival setup and the office itself. Email info@saiaustin.org or call 512-528-0807 and tell us what you would like to help with and when you are free.