About 65 km from Shirdi, Shani Shingnapur Temple is one of the most sacred places in Maharashtra. Devotees from all over the world come here to pay homage and seek blessings from Lord Shani. According to Hindu astrology, Shani refers as the Saturn Planet, one of the nine heavenly objects known as Navagraha. It’s believed that Lord Shani is the one who takes sin easily and brings bad luck to people who neglect him.
No doubt, there are many myths and tales regarding the Swayambhu Shanaishwara deity of the temple. And according to one of them, Lord Shani is said to be a self-manifested deity in Shani Shingnapur Mandir. The idol is not a statue but is in the shape of a black stone slab. It is said that some time ago, a herdsman by mistake hit the black stone with a sharp rod after which blood was coming from it. This surprised the whole village. Next, on the same night, a Shanaishwara came in the dream of the truest and religious herdsman and told him to construct a temple around that stone but not build a roof above him. Since then the stone is devoted as Lord Shani in the open sanctum. Another popular legend is that Lord Shanaishwara promised the villagers, that he will protect the village from any theft or robbery. It’s this lord commitment only that established the tradition of not installing doors and locks to the house as people believe that Lord Shani is protecting their valuables from thieves. In fact, the UCO Bank also opened the first-of-its-kind ‘lockless’ branch in this village in January 2011. Moreover, the interesting thing about this village is that no theft or robbery case has been recorded to date.
Apart from the historical facts, another unique feature of the Shani Shingnapur Temple is that here devotees can perform holy rituals like ‘puja’, and ‘Abhishek’ on their own. Even devotees can themselves offer oil and black gram dal to the deity. Devotees are allowed to enter the temple premises after taking a bath only. For many years, women were not allowed inside the main sanctum. But the 8 April 2016 is the day when the temple ultimately opened its gates for women’s.
Last but not least, let soak your senses in endless bliss as you attain peace at the famous Shani Shingnapur Mandir. So, without any extended queues and waiting period, get ready for the darshan of eternal power.
Festival and Events:
Shani Shingnapur Temple is famous for celebrating festivals like Shani Amavasya and Shri Shaneshchar Jayanti which enthrall tourists from all around the world.
“Shani Amavasya” which is also known as a new moon day is the famous festival in Shingnapur Mandir. The whole town celebrates this festival with full zeal and enthusiasm.
“Shri Shaneshchar Jayanti”, the birthday of Lord Shani held every year in the month of May. The highlight of this festival is a Shaneshwar Palki procession and a fair that is organized during this day. The entire village and devotees from different corners of the world celebrate Shri Shaneshchar Jayanti with huge grandeur and pomp.
The best time to visit the temple is during the festival time. If you’re not able to plan on festive time, then you should visit during winter (September to November) instead of summer. As the summer season in Maharashtra is hot. Winters are much more pleasant and comfortable.
Note: Saturday is regarded to be propitious as compared to other days. So you can come on any Saturday.
Shani Shingnapur Temple, Timings: All days of the week 12:00 AM-12:00 PM
Shani Shingnapur Temple, Entry Fees: Nil
Tips:
In Shani Shingnapur Temple's strict dress code is followed, man has to use Dhoti only to enter into the temple. Women have to wear traditional clothes like Saree, suit, churidar, Patiala with dupatta. Women can also wear jeans and a top, but it should be appropriate
