Shani Shingnapur Temple Maharashtra
Shani Shingnapur Temple is one of those few temples of India where women are not allowed entry. Only men are allowed to offer prayers. This unusual custom is followed for centuries now. But as per latest developments, even if it had been claimed that the Shani Dev Mandir had been built for a particular denomination of Hindus, women would still have a right to enter such temples under the Maharashtra Temple Entry law.
On the way to Ahmednagar Railway station we took the diversion to Shingnapur to visit Shani Mandir. This village of Shingnapur is famous for 2 unique faith and customs practiced. One is the Shingnapur village, the houses of which has no doors and other is the famous Shani Shingnapur Temple.
Partly out of curiosity for the village and partly as thanksgiving for the incident and accident free tour of Aurangabad we decided to halt at Shinganapur. This temple here is dedicated to Lord Shani.
Praying Lord Shani
Lord Shani is the most powerful Hindu God, He is God of Justice. He can convert ideas into an action by changing the status of a person. It means a person’s status can change from rich to poor or from being poor to rich, physically well to unwell. For that correct procedures of prayers have to be followed. Any mistake can bring drastic unexpected results.
Anyway it is a very complex subject and beyond my understanding. You can read more: Shani
Shani Shingnapur Temple History
If legends are to be believed, the story of origin of this temple is:
A shepherd while grazing his cattle accidentally hit a huge black stone with his stick and the stone started bleeding. Frightened he called the villagers. All were perplexed at the miracle. At night Lord Shanaishwara appeared in the dream of the most devoted and pious of the shepherds.
He told the shepherd that he is “Shaneeshwara” and the unique looking black stone is his swayambhu (self emerged) form. Lord Shani Mahatma said he had no desire for a temple, the whole sky is his roof and he preferred to be under open sky.
He instructed his pooja should be done with Tailabhisheka (offering of edible oil) every Saturday without fail. In return He blessed the whole hamlet will have no fear of thieves.
Shani Shingnapur Temple Information and Facts
Since then the idol is not housed inside any building. It is a temple without any roof. Idol here is a big black stone slab placed on a high pedestal and it is in the open.
Bhairuji Temple near Bikaner is a similar temple with no roof.
Common popular belief is that all efforts to build a temple around it have been in vain. People who tried to build a structure around it got dreams and visions with messages like, “I don’t need shelter and do not want to live in any body’s insignia of royalty.”
Shani Shingnapur Temple Rules
Only male devotees can offer prayers.
Unlike other temples the devotees can carry out the abhiseka (prayers and offerings) all by themselves without the intervention or assistance of the priests there.
Edible oil is the most common offering made by devotees here. I saw them pouring the oil on the massive 5ft. black stone. This oil is collected and then distributed.
Shani Shingnapur Temple Dress Code
Temple authorities here follow strict dress code for men. They have to wear dhoti, a long piece of garment wrapped around the waist covering lower part of body, knotted in the front, side or back.
You can hire them at the temple for a small fee.
Dry Neem Tree near Shani Temple
Interestingly a neem tree there in Shani Shingnapur Temple is almost always leaf less, so they say. The belief is even the shade of that tree is not acceptable to Lord Shani.
See the contrast between the two trees in the picture. I would like to add here that I am not sure whether the tree is always like that and this picture is taken on 29 Dec. 2007.
8 Rules to Visit Shani Shingnapur Temple and worship Lord Shani
- People have to remove cap, cloth or turban and have to be bare-head while performing holy rituals.
- Water for worshipping Lord Shani has to be collected only from the holy well present in the temple complex.
- Do not show your back to Shani Dev. So after worshiping Shani Dev, go backward
- Never stand still while worshiping Shani Dev.
- Combine Shani puja with Hanuman and Shiva Puja. Shani is a great devotee of Lord Shiva, so worshipping Shiva is a sure way to please Shani.
- Devotees should not look into the eyes of Lord Shani.
- Scriptures say that one should not buy salt on Saturdays.
- Articles made of iron should not be bought, of if bought should not be brought home on Saturday.
Tickets and Timings of Shaneshwara Temple
No tickets are required to enter the temple. It is free for all men who wish to enter and offer prayers.
Open timings of Shani Shingnapur temple is from 12am to 12pm.
This temple is locally called – Shri Shaneshwar Devasthan.
Shani Shingnapur Village
The village around the temple is also one of its kinds, in this world!
What is most unique and striking feature of this village is that, none of the houses here have doors, yes NO DOORS. People of this village for centuries have never built doors to their houses.
Facades of each and every Shani Shingnapur house and shop has just a rectangular hollow space in the wall and the footwear outside indicate the entry and exit point.
Even the nationalized UCO Bank’s branch in the village does not have locks on its doors and the post office too!
I went around there shocked at the sight. I was trying to remember the number of latches and locks I have in the doors of my house, not only in the main door but also in the doors of each room.
What is interesting is that the people of this village have never purchased a latch or lock in their whole life. They have never experienced a theft either. Their blind faith that whoever steals will be punished by Lord Shani and whatever is stolen soon returns back to the losers. Gave me goose bumps listening to their story.
This lady told me that even her grandparents’ house had no doors. Shani – the Lord of Saturn guards them! During severe winters they place a wooden plank, that’s all, no latches or locks.
In the entire area of 1 km radius around the temple no one drinks alcohol, or gambles or eats non-veg. Such deep rooted faith! I was seeing this facet of India with total disbelief and pride.
Will modernization and fast pace of life around change them? – I thought as I walked out of the village.
Location of Shingnapur
Shingnapur is 6 km from Ghodegaon on Aurangabad-Ahmednagar road. The road is motorable and in good condition.
Ahmednagar Railway station to Shani Shingnapur Temple – 44.3 km
Aurangabad to Shani Shingnapur Temple – 81.6 km
Frequently Asked Questions about God Shani
Why is Shani Shingnapur Temple famous?
God Shani gives the boon of success in social, political, traditional, spiritual, career, educational and business areas. God Shani gives relief from diseases and grants a long life. God Shani is the God of the kali yuga.
Who is wife of Shani Dev?
Shani Dev is associated with two consorts: Neelima (Neela), the personification of the gemstone sapphire, and Manda, a Gandharva princess.
What is the favourite food of Shani?
God Shani loves black and his favourite foods include black sesame laddus made with jaggery and khichdi made with black lentils.
What is the favourite flower of Shani Dev?
Shani Dev loves dark colored flowers. You may offer blue Lajwanti flowers (touch me not), Blue Hydrangea, Delphinium, Bluestar, and Bellflower.
What is Shani Dev’s favorite number?
God Shani’s favorite fumber is 8. This is the Karma number and it denotes balance, similar to its shape.
Where are the other popular Shani Temples in India?
Other Popular Lord Shani Temples in India are Shani Dham temple in Delhi, Tirunallar Saniswaran Temple in Tamil Nadu, Shanichara temple in Barahwali, Madhya Pradesh, and Shani Mandir in Indore.
You may like these unique Temples:
What a lovely’s story and a village without doors! Aren’t women allowed inside the temple?
Yes women are not allowed; pious Hindu God fearing women do not go to the open shrine.
When I visited Shirdi last October, I heard about this temple and there are many autos, jeeps busy transporting people from shirdi. This post makes me to visit on next time. Thanks.
When I was growing up we had doors, but they were never locked, even when we were away from the house. How times have changed.
Loved the post and you always make me want to each place that you visit.
Interesting indeed!
Great narrative and fascinating photographs.
I've read about this village..it's really amazing to know about their faith and beliefs…
Beautiful temple. When we went to Shirdi, we had planned to visit the temple, but couldn't due to time constraint. Thanks for sharing.
WOW.. I never thought that in these days also that type of village exist.. Thank you for this wonderful and valuable information..
I have never been to that place..Thanks for the wonderful pictures and interesting info 🙂
Well some things happen only in India… this is one of them
Beautiful settings, love those men in orange. lol.
Yeah Indrani.. have read about it but your pics made it clear and believable.. planning a visit soon :0
yes ! I read about it that this is the only and unique village that have no door in their houses. But this is really amazing and workable information that only men can perform pooja there . Thnx for Re sharing your post .
Very interesting! I likes it!! 🙂
Amazing that the village has no door on top of the god not liking a temple!
It's amazing how differently the same human race can and does live from place to place. Great pics. I love seeing the world through your lens.
I've read about this place in news articles, but this is the first blog post I'm reading by someone who has personally visited the village. Quite amazing!
What an amazing place! Fascinating!! Thanks as always for sharing, Indrani!!
no doors. wow.
INDRANI,YOUR PICTURES AND CONTENT CONVEY SO MUCH, WHICH IS REALLY FASCINATING!
Very Good information posted by you.
Shani shingnapur
Thanks Aalok.
🙂 dhoti wearing is an unavoidable act for men to enter most Hindu temples.
found your blog on mysore park…
nice post. made me remember my visit to the temple and the struggle i had to go through to wear the dhoti!!!
Aalok
– Fear knocked at the door. Faith answered and no one was there.
Thanks Gil.
Thanks Maddy, that link was an eyeopener.
Thanks Shubha, staying so close don’t miss out the temple. It is worth visiting.
Hi Indrani
Though I have been to Ahmednagar a few times , I have not been to Shinganapur . But I have read many article on it .
Sounds like an amazing village.
Great write up you have here .
P.S. Have put up one more for the WI prompt of “Flight”
Hope you will look it up 🙂
Thanks
http://la-muse07.blogspot.com/2007/11/eagle.html
another village like that – http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4033513.stm
that was simply fascinating – a village with no doors? ah takes me closer to john lennon’s imagine…
Hi Indrani, wonderful post! And lots of interesting things to learn about, including the no doos village story. Incredible!
«Writing… was like revisiting»; how i understand you…
Hope you have a great weekend!
Gil
Yes Raji, I too was amazed when I saw the houses there. Need to explore India more.
Ajeya, I guess I missed the temple you mentioned. 🙁
Sure Lakshmi. Shirdi is closer to this spot.
ive read abt this village and always wanted to go there …good now, I know whom to ask for directions
I had been here last Nov and performed the oil abishek. We also went to a temple very close to here called – Renuka Matha temple. The interiors of this temple is full of colored glass.
No doors in any of the houses! I am amazed. This is what simple faith arouses in us. I feel humble in the presence of such faith.
As for Lord Shani not requiring any shade, isn’t he the son of Lord Surya, and maybe he wants his father’s gaze on him at all times? 🙂