Shani Shingnapur Temple

Shani Shingnapur Temple

Shani Shingnapur Temple is in Shani Singanapur village in Nevasa taluk of Ahmednagar district in Maharashtra, India. The village is mainly known for the temple of Shani, the Hindu god associated with the planet Saturn. Regarding this village, there is one more significant item to mention. It means that no house in this town has doors. There are only door frames (gadapa). Because there is no theft in the village. Even if they are building new houses, they do not put doors on them.

“Jagrith Devasthanam” is the name of the Shani Shingnapur Temple (“living temple”). That means a deity still resides here in the temple. The villagers strongly believe that Lord Shani will punish those who try to steal. Here the deity “Swayambhu” (self-evolved deity) appeared. The result of this metamorphosis was a magnificent, black rock that rose out of the earth. However, although no one knows the exact period, it is believed that the Swayambhu Shanaiswara idol was discovered by the shepherds of the then local village. It is thought to have existed since the start of the Kali Yuga at the very least.

Thousands of worshippers visit the Shani Shingnapur Temple every day to offer prayers for Lord Shaneshwar’s blessings. This place is crowded on Saturdays. Another belief is that Shani Trayodashi is the Lord’s favorite day. In a same vein, Shanaiswar is said to love Saturday, or “Amavasya” day. Devotees come to this temple in large numbers to seek his blessings on those days.

The shrine is more popular with producer Gulshan Kumar’s film Surya Putra Shanidev, which previously starred Puneet Issar, Mahesh Thakur, Dharmesh Tiwari and Anuradha Paudwal.
Popular.

Sani shrine
A five and a half-foot-tall black stone, representing Lord Shani, is positioned on an open platform inside the Shani Mandir. Next to the idol is a trident (Trident) and to the south is an image of Nandi. In front are small images of Lord Shiva and Lord Hanuman.

Shani Shingnapur Temple Story

The exact history of this temple is not clear, but locals believe that it is very ancient. Swayambhu statue is the story told by everyone from generation to generation.

Once when a shepherd in the village of Singanapur touched the stone with a pointed rod, the stone began to bleed. When he saw this, he became terrified and fled the area right away. Some of the shepherds were surprised. Immediately all the people of the village gathered to see the miracle. But, that night Shaniswar appeared in the dream of a devotee who was the most pious of shepherds.

He told the shepherd that he was “Saturn”. His Swayambhu form is a unique looking black stone. The shepherd prayed and asked the Lord to build a temple for him. In response, Lord Shani states that he would rather remain outside under the open sky and that there is no need for a roof because the whole sky is his roof. This idol should be worshiped daily to protect the village.
And requested that the shepherd do ‘oil anointing’ each Saturday. He promised that there would be no fear of robbers in this village.

So, Shanaiswar has been appearing in the roofless open courtyard ever since. Even today houses, shops and temples have no doors. Due to the fear of Lord Shani, no structures like residential houses, huts, shops etc within one kilometer of this Lord Shani temple have doors or locks.

Shani Shingnapur Temple Location

Shani Shinganapur Temple is located in Shani Singanapur village in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, India.

Shani Shingnapur Temple Timings

Shani Singanapur Temple is open 24 hours throughout the year. That means you can visit the temple at any time convenient for you.

Shani Shingnapur Best Time to Visit

You can visit Shani Singnapur Temple at any time of the year, the best time to experience the pleasant weather is between October and February. These months have a pleasant temperature that is perfect for touring the temple and its surroundings.

But be aware that weekends and holidays, such as Saturdays (which honor the god Shani), can get very busy. If you want a quieter experience, consider visiting on a weekday.

Normally, the temple receives 30,000–45,000 visitors per day. Approximately three lakh people visit it on Amavasya, the day considered to be the most favorable for praising Saturn.

A fair is held in the village on this day in honor of the goddess. Amavasya days, which fall on Saturdays, are marked by a large feast. Devotees first bathe themselves, offer flowers to the idol of Lord Shani, and then perform anoint with water and oil. Shani palanquin procession takes place on the fair day. On Shani Jayanti, her birthday, there’s another festivity.

Shani Shingnapur Temple Distance

Shani Singanapur Temple is Distance from Nearby Cities

Shani Shinganapur Sonai
The telephone code is 02427
Distance from Ahmednagar City is 35 kilometers (22 miles).
Distance from Aurangabad is 84 kilometers (52 miles).
Distance from Shirdi is 74 kilometers (46 miles).

Shirdi Temple to Shani Shingnapur Distance 

The distance between Shirdi Temple and Shani Shingnapur Temple is about 73 kilometers (45 miles) on NH 160 and NH 160C and it usually takes 1 hour 35 minutes to reach there by car.

Shani Shingnapur Temple Rules

Devotees of Shani Shingnapur Temple are required to abide by certain unique rules:

Women are not permitted on the main platform, which is where the idol is located. Only men are permitted on the platform.

Bathing: Devotees should bathe before entering the temple premises.
Wet clothes: It is traditional to pray while dressed in damp clothing.
Bare head: Devotees should not cover their heads while offering prayers.
Water for pooja should only be brought from the holy well on the temple grounds.
Sesame oil is historically used in prayer.

It is important to respect these rules to ensure a peaceful and meaningful visit to the temple.

No Photography: Generally speaking, taking pictures on temple property is forbidden.

A 400-year-old tradition prohibits women from entering the sanctum sanctorum. On 26 January 2016, a group of over 500 women led by activist Trupti Desai reached the temple under the group “Bhumata Ramragani Brigade” and demanded entry into the sanctum sanctorum. The police stopped them.

In a landmark judgment on 30 March 2016, the Bombay High Court asked the Maharashtra government to ensure that women are not denied entry to any temple. The Shani Shinganapur Trust finally let female worshipers to enter the sanctum sanctorum on April 8, 2016.

Shani Shingnapur Temple Near Railway Station

The nearest railway station to Sri Shanidev Temple, Shani Shinganapur is Rahuri, which is 32 km away. Aside from this, Ahmednagar can be reached by automobile in 35 kilometers and roughly 15 minutes from the Ahmednagar railway station. Srirampur is 54 kilometers away, while Shirdi railway station is 75 kilometers from the shrine.

What is the Crime Rate in Shani Shingnapur?

The number of crimes in Shani Shingnapur is minimal. There have been no thefts or robberies in the village for hundreds of years. The people here think that Lord Shani’s protection is what made this happen. Petty theft incidents, however, have been documented in recent years.

Nevertheless, despite rumors of robberies in 2010 and 2011, there haven’t been any confirmed thefts in the village. There has never been a rape, murder, or rebellion in the village’s history. It’s thought that nobody visited the village’s elderly residents’ home and that no complaints were made at any of the police stations.

Shani Shingnapur UCO Bank Without Lock

It was the first ‘lockless’ branch in the nation when United Commercial (UCO) Bank built one in the village in January 2011. due to the fact that there is essentially no crime in this area.

As it violated the conditions, the central government of India mandated high security for all banks. There are doors in the bank, but they are never closed. Nonetheless, the local lawmaker and bank representatives stated that sufficient security measures are in place to protect the lockers and valuable papers within.

However, the bank has a glass entryway and a scarcely visible remote-controlled electromagnetic lock to preserve security while respecting public sentiments.

Hotels Near Shani Shingnapur Temple

Hotel Adiraj Palace and Lodging
This hotel is a popular choice for travelers visiting Shani Singanapur. It offers comfortable rooms, good food and is conveniently located near the temple. It has a 4.7-star Google rating and is renowned for its superb hospitality and service.

Hotel Shanirat Lodging:

Basic, spotless lodging is available at Hotel Shanirat Lodging, which is another affordable choice.Because of how close it is to the temple, it is a practical option for travelers. The cozy accommodations and helpful staff are frequently praised by visitors.

Hotel Ganapathi Lodging:

Hotel Ganapathi Lodging is a wonderful option if you’re seeking for accommodations that are affordable. It offers simple rooms and basic amenities. Although it’s not as opulent as some alternatives, it’s still a sensible choice for people on a limited budget.

Hotel Sharyu:

For a more comfortable stay, Hotel Sharayu offers a combination of hotel rooms and a restaurant. It is a fantastic option for tourists who wish to unwind and savor a satisfying dinner after touring the temple.  The hotel’s 4.6 star rating on Google is a testament to its quality.

Note: There are many other hotels and accommodation options available near Shani Singanapur to suit different budgets and preferences. It is recommended to check online reviews and availability before booking to find the best fit for your needs and budget. It is recommended to book in advance especially during peak seasons.

Shani Shingnapur Temple Images

 

Also Read : Bhimashankar Temple History

 

Images from Flickr.com