SHANI SHIGNAPUR

SHANI SHIGNAPUR

The village is famed for its temple dedicated to Shani - the planet Saturn. More remarkable however is that there are no locks on any of the doors in the village be it residential or commercial, including the bank. Local legends claim that the village is 'protected' and no thief can cross its borders without dying. Sceptics please note that the village has remained theft - free in recorded history.
Shani-Shingnapur is a famous pilgrim centre near Nashik in Maharashtra, which is also known for its doorless mystery. The unique feature of Shani-Shingnapur is that there is neither any image of specific deity nor any particular idol, but there is a stone pillar, which is supposed to embody the image, which is worshipped with deep respect and reverence.

The speciality of this temple is that there is no image or Pandit who performs the puja. Male devotees before entering into the temple take a head bath in the holy waters close to the temple and wear saffron cloth. The puja is carried out in the form of Pradakshanas, where in the devotee go around the idol a couple of times, chanting prayers.
Devotees also perform 'Abhishekas' (rites involving pouring of certain liquids over the idol) with water and 'Til' (mustard) oil. Thousands of people including a few famous personalities gather on Shani Amvasaya to perform Puja.

In this village one can find the houses having gaping, rectangular spaces at the facade of every home. No doorframes, no latches, no padlocks or any other safety measures to guard the house are found. It is believed that nobody dares to steal anything because then it is believed that if they do so Shani Deva, the local deity, punishes them. It has been proved that even if something is stolen, the owner has always got the stolen things back. There is also a belief that if a snake in Shinganapur bites a person, he is brought to the temple and a ritual is performed in front of the idol, which neutralises the poison. Devgad is a village located to the east of Shaneshwar, which is famous for Shri Datta temple. The temple is open for the visitors for 24 hours. There is another belief attached to this place that the Neem tree standing to the North of the Shani idol sheds its branches if one happens to cast a shadow over the idol. Shiridi is another major pilgrim centre of Maharashtra and India, which is very close to Shani-Shingnapur.

HOW TO REACH SHANI SHIGNAPUR:
BY AIR: Nearest Airport is Pune 160 Kms.
BY RAIL: Nearest Railway station is srirampur.
BY ROAD: Route: Mumbai-Pune-Ahmednagar-Shani Shignapur , Distance: 330 Kms approx.

The address of Shani Shingnapur Trust is as below:

Shri Shaineshwar Devasthan Trust,
Shani Shingnapur, Post: Sonai,Taluka: Nevasa,
Dist.: Ahamadnagar, Pin. 414 105,
Maharashtra, India.

For More Information about Shani Shingnapur, kindly log on to http://www.shanidev.com

Renukaba Temple

Renuka/Durga Goddess Temple - This temple is located in Kedgaon (around 3 km from Ahmednagar Railway Station, 5 km from Ahmednagar ST bus-stand) which is near Nagar-Pune highway. Navaratri (nine nights) festival is a celebration of nine nights of battle between the Goddess Durga and demon-king Mahishasura. Eventually Goddess Durga killed Mahishasura on the ninth night and thus the festival signifies the triumph of good over evil.

Devgad Shri Datta Temple

DEVGAD, the village known for Shri Datta Temple just east of Shaneshwar. The temple is 24 hours open for the visitors. ANNADAN is a very big function at Devgad a trust has been formed by the natives to provide all the materials and utensils free of charge to devotees, who want to give Annadan (distribution of free food). A Dharamashala (a place of free shelter and food) is also available. More than 150 people can have lunch. The trust plans to start a religious library, a hospital and a pilgrim school.

The temple is situated in Newasa Taluk. Around the temple there is park with lots of tree. There is Pravara river behind the temple. The boating is also available.

Its 70Km away from Ahmednagar. Its on Nagar Aurangabad Road.