Shani Shingnapur: Difference between revisions

'''Shani Shingnapur'''<ref name = "TOI">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/3096822.cms |title=TOI |publisher=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date=2008-06-03 |access-date=2010-08-30 |first1=Vasundhara |last1=Sanger}}</ref> or '''Shani Shinganapur''' <ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Kpd9lLY_0-IC&q=SHINGaNAPUR&pg=PA26 |title=''Students' Britannica India'' By Dale Hoiberg, Indu Ramchandani |isbn=9780852297605 |access-date=2010-08-30|last1=Hoiberg |first1=Dale |year=2000 }}</ref> or '''Shingnapur'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Village_Directory/List_of_Villages/List_of_Villages_Alphabetical.aspx?State_Code=27&SearchKey=Shinganapur |title=Census – India |publisher=Censusindia.gov.in |access-date=2010-08-30}}</ref> is a village in the [[India]]n state of [[Maharashtra]]. Situated in [[Nevasa]] [[taluka]] in [[Ahmednagar district]], the village is known for its popular temple of [[Shani]], the [[Hindu]] god associated with the planet ([[graha]]) Saturn. Shingnapur is 35km from [[Ahmednagar]] city.

[http://www.shanidev.com] Shani Shingnapur Devsthan Trust ,Shani Shingnapur is registered under Mumbai Public Trust act.

 

The temple is believed to be a "jagrut devasthan" (lit. "alive temple"), meaning that a deity still resides in the temple icon. Villagers believe that god Shani punishes anyone attempting theft.<ref name = "mahagov">{{cite web|url=http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/Ahmadnagar/places_Sonai.html |title=Maharashtra Govt. gazetteer Website |publisher=Maharashtra.gov.in |access-date=2010-08-30}}</ref> The deity here is "Swayambhu" ([[Sanskrit]]: self-evolved deity) that is self emerged from earth in form of black, imposing stone. Though no one knows the exact period, it is believed that the [[Swayambhu]] Shanaishwara statue was found by shepherds of the then local hamlet. It is believed to be in existence at least since the start of [[Kali yuga]].

The story of the [[swayambhu]] statue handed down from generations through word of mouth, goes something like this: When the Shepherd touched the stone with a pointed rod, the stone started bleeding. The shepherds were astounded. Soon the whole village gathered around to watch the miracle. On that night Lord Shaneeshwara appeared in the dream of the most devoted and pious of the shepherds.

He told the shepherd that he is "Shaneeshwara". He also told that the unique looking black stone is his swayambhu form. The shepherd prayed and asked the lord whether he should construct a temple for him. To this, Lord Shani Mahatma said there is no need for a roof as the whole sky is his roof and he preferred to be under open sky. He asked the shepherd to do daily pooja and 'Tailabhisheka' every Saturday without fail. He also promised the whole hamlet will have no fear of dacoits or burglars or thieves.

So, Lord Shanaishwara can be seen even today, in the open yard without any roof above. To this day, there are no doors for any houses, shops, temples.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Why-this-village-including-its-bank-has-no-front-doors/articleshow/45779747.cms|title= No front doors in village of Shani Shingnapur|work=The Times of India|date=6 January 2015}}</ref> It is to be seen to believe that even post office has no door, not to speak of locks. Due to the fear of Lord Shani, none of the structures, be it dwelling houses, huts, shops, etc. situated within one kilometer radius of this Lord Shani temple have neither doors nor locks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20160526-the-village-with-no-locks-or-doors|title=Village with no locks and doors|work=BBC.com|date=31 May 2016}}</ref> No thievery or burglary was reported until 2010 when first theft was reported and again another one was reported in 2011. This Shani Shingnapur is visited daily by thousands of devotees praying for Lord Shaneswara's favour. The place is busiest on Saturdays. Shani [[Thrayodashi]] is considered to be a favorite day for the lord. Similarly Saturday falling on '[[Amavasya]]'(new moon day in Sanskrit and many other Indian languages) is considered to be a favourite day for the Lord Shanaishwara and on that days devotees seeking his blessings throng this temple in thousands. In the many years history of the village, there has not been a single incident of theft, riots, murder or rape. It is believed that nobody from the village has ever gone to a home of the aged. Nor has there been a single complaint lodged in a police station. <ref>[http://www.shanidev.com/an-unique-devasthan.html Shani Shingapur]</ref>

In a landmark judgement on 30 March 2016, the Bombay High Court asked Maharashtra government to ensure that women are not denied entry to any temple.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/women-cant-be-barred-from-entering-shani-shinganapur-temple-bombay-hc/|title=Shani Shingnapur row: Allow women entry to temples, says Bombay HC|date=2016-03-31|website=The Indian Express|access-date=2016-04-08}}</ref> On 8 April 2016, the Shani Shingnapur trust finally allowed the women devotees to enter the sanctum.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/shani-shingnapur-temple-trust-allows-women-devotees-inside-inner-sanctum/1/638336.html|title=Shani Shingnapur temple allows women inside inner sanctum|website=indiatoday.intoday.in|access-date=2016-04-08}}</ref>

The way to Shingnapur village is covered with sugarcane fields and local people use bull to extract juice from the sugarcane, instead of machines and this type of juice extraction centres are known as ''Rasavanti''.<ref>{{cite news|title=A village with no doors, no thefts|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2017/mar/17/a-village-with--no-doors-no-thefts-1582603.html|access-date=25 July 2017|work=The New Indian Express}}</ref>