Reasons Why Shani Shinganpur Is A Famous Tourist Place

Shani Shignapur is a village located in Ahmednagar District of Maharashtra. It is about 35 km from Ahmednagar. The presiding deity of Shinganapur, Sri Shaneshwara or Lord Shanidev- the personification of the planet Saturn is worshipped with utmost reverence and devotion by multitudes of people from all over the world. The spectacle of the deity in black stone is overwhelming. A unique aspect of this place is that no temple structure houses Shanidev. There is only a simple platform on which stands the swayambhu idol, in black stone.

Unlike other pilgrimage centres, devotees here can perform puja or abhishek or other religious rituals themselves.

One of the unique aspects of the village Shiganapur is that houses here have no door- frames or locks on them for safety. They are in fact not needed. The people here believe that it is the benediction of the god that no crime ever occurs in this village where homes have no front doors, shops are always left unlocked and locals never feel unsafe where villagers eschew security because of their undying faith in Lord Shani who is considered the guardian of the village.

How to go?

The nearest airport is at Poona, which is 160 km from here. The nearest railway station here is Shrirampur. Facilities like bus, taxi etc. are available from Nashik here. Mumbai, Poona Ahmedabad can be reached by road here.

When Should go?

In Shinganapur, a huge fair is organized on the Amavas of Baishakh and other Saturn Amavas. By the way, devotees keep coming here throughout the year.

Where to stay?

People stay in the ashrams built here. Most travelers take a night's rest in Shirdi, where there is every type of accommodation available.

Significance

Shani Shingnapur: There is an ancient temple of Shanidev in the village of 'Shiganapur', located near the city of Nashik, Maharashtra. This temple has a very ancient stone statue of Shanidev. Actually this statue has no shape. Originally, a stone is considered to be the form of Shani. An image of Lord Shani of black color, about 5 feet 9 inches long and one feet 6 inches wide, sits on a marble platform, which remains open in the sun, cold and rainy day. The statue itself is considered to be ground.

Statue story

The story of Shani statue reaching Shinganapur is very interesting. Centuries ago, Shingnapur received heavy rainfall. Due to rain, flood situation occurred here. People were feeling like rain holocaust. Meanwhile, one night Shani Maharaj came in the dream of a villager. Shani Maharaj said that 'I am present in the form of Deity in Panas Nalla. Pick up my Deity and establish it by bringing it to the village. ”This person told this thing to the villagers in the morning. Everyone went to Panas Nalla and all were surprised to see Saturn's Deity present there. The villagers got together and took up that Deity, but not even the Deity shook, all lost and returned. Shani Maharaj came again that night in the dream of the same person and told that if any maternal uncle nephew pick me up only then I will rise from that place. Bring me to sit in the bullock cart in which the bulls are also maternal uncle. The next day when that person said this, Then a maternal uncle nephew raised the Deity. Sitting on the bullock cart, Shani Maharaj was brought to the village and installed at the place where Shani Vigra is present.

Program

Shinganapur's fame is so high that today more than 13 thousand people come here to visit and about 10 lakh people come to the fair held on Shani Amavas, Shani Jayanti. Aarti is done here every day at 4 am and 5 pm in the evening. On Shani Jayanti, famous Brahmins are called from place to place and 'Laghurudrabhishek' is done. This program runs from 7 am to 6 pm.

Rules of Darshan: There are some rules for visiting, worshiping Shani Dev in Shani Shiganpur temple. Since Shanidev is Bal Brahmachari, women visit him from a distance. At the same time, male devotees take bath and see Lord Shani in wet clothes. By offering sesame oil, they worship the stone statue. Devotees first have to take a bath in a public bathroom followed by a prayer with a wet dhoti without any upper garment.

About Shinganapur Village

Shani Shingnapur It is popular that here, 'there are gods, but not temples. There is a house, but not doors. There are no doors in the houses of the village where this temple is located. The villagers are said to have faith in their deity Shanishvara that they will always protect their house from robbery and theft. It is said that if a person steals here, he becomes blind on the same day. Even today no lock or latch is installed in this small village. Also, people here do not keep their valuables in any cupboard or vault. People coming here also do not lock their vehicles and feel safe without any hassle.