Shani Singnapur is a village located in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra.It is about 70 km from shirdi and usually people visiting from faraway places combine both the divine places.
As the road turns from Shirdi for Shani Singnapur the scene changes dramatically.on both the sides of road are lush green fields of sugarcane and after almost every half kilometer or so is installed a sugacane crashing machine .Direct from the fields, under the shadow of big canopy of trees, midst the green ,savouring the juice is a delightful refreshing experience.
The presiding diety of Shani Singnapur is Shaneswar maharaj or Shanidev.He is personification of the planet saturn.There is no temple there and the black stone swayambhu Shani dev stands there majestically under the vast blue expanse of sky.The spectcle is simply overpowering.
Only male devotees are permitted to climb the platform on which stands the idol of shani maharaj.Ladies can enter the premises but are not permitted to climb the platform. The devotees who want to pay offerings to god here have to first take a bath (in public bathrooms) and then pray wearing only lungis/vestis/mundus..................no upper cloth is permitted .
Big compound with many shops lined is there near the temple.Parking of vehicle is allowed inside this compound.Bathrooms are also located here only.lungis are available in the shops.rather provided with the offerings.Ofcourse you are supposed to return these.If you want you can purchase new ones which one can carry with him.
Any attempt to build a temple sheltering the black stone pillar jutting out of the earth has not been successful.It is told that every time it was tried some or other catastrophy had fallen.There is a temple beside the platform of shani maharaj but it stands uncovered..mythologically it is believed that shanidev is son of God Sun and he wants always to be bathed by his (sun)blessings ..............hence he prefers to stand uncovered.
another unique feature of the village shani shingnapur is the houses without doors and windowpans.Even the shops have no shutters and doors.It is said that any attempt to put doors etc has always ended into some or other kind of misfortune for the person trying to do so.People believe that no theft or dacoity can ever occur in the place as miscreants have to bear wrath of Shani Dev.Its overwhelming to experience the power of faith .from the times unknown this belief is surviving.The place is truly ruled by Shani Maharaj.
Shani Shingnapur is one of the most revered shrine of Shani Bhagwan.It's proximity to Shirdi makes it easy to reach.It's worth visiting this otherwise incospicuous hamlet simply to witness and experience the charisma of faith.
a wandering hermit in the premises ...........
the majestic gate which leads to the long covered corridors leading to the shrine..........
the devotees after the bath .the nearby roads are full of devotees .the whole place as if painted in saffron..........
this is where a big basket is kept and all the offerings except the mustard oil has to be left here only.later on same can be collected.
photography near the shrine is prohibited......a glimpse of the platform from outside.devotees approaching for offering mustard oil to Shani Dev...........
another viewof the main gate .from the side gate we can have a glimpse of the platform in the open courtyard.
another group of devotees proceeding towards shrine with their guide............
in the hope of prasadam outside temple wall............
those little devotees were simply adoring.with musturd oil bottles in hands they walk towards shrine.........
shops selling the essentials.........no doors ,no shutters.even the rooms on first floor only curtains hang ........doors?no,not at all.
a close look at one of the shops.it's all red and orange here also............vibrantly coloured.........
the temple top from the market compound.this temple stands close to the shrine............
a house in the village.the plank is kept to keep the stray dogs away as the entrance does not have any door.
another home..........all these were at the side of road and this is the front view and main entrance of the home.
the little master was all set to proceed for school.he saw sunder focussing his camera on the door and there he was in front of his home striking a pose to oblige the cameraman..................
the hearth and the warmth..........home is where mother is............
all the pictures have copyright of sunder iyer.
As the road turns from Shirdi for Shani Singnapur the scene changes dramatically.on both the sides of road are lush green fields of sugarcane and after almost every half kilometer or so is installed a sugacane crashing machine .Direct from the fields, under the shadow of big canopy of trees, midst the green ,savouring the juice is a delightful refreshing experience.
The presiding diety of Shani Singnapur is Shaneswar maharaj or Shanidev.He is personification of the planet saturn.There is no temple there and the black stone swayambhu Shani dev stands there majestically under the vast blue expanse of sky.The spectcle is simply overpowering.
Only male devotees are permitted to climb the platform on which stands the idol of shani maharaj.Ladies can enter the premises but are not permitted to climb the platform. The devotees who want to pay offerings to god here have to first take a bath (in public bathrooms) and then pray wearing only lungis/vestis/mundus..................no upper cloth is permitted .
Big compound with many shops lined is there near the temple.Parking of vehicle is allowed inside this compound.Bathrooms are also located here only.lungis are available in the shops.rather provided with the offerings.Ofcourse you are supposed to return these.If you want you can purchase new ones which one can carry with him.
Any attempt to build a temple sheltering the black stone pillar jutting out of the earth has not been successful.It is told that every time it was tried some or other catastrophy had fallen.There is a temple beside the platform of shani maharaj but it stands uncovered..mythologically it is believed that shanidev is son of God Sun and he wants always to be bathed by his (sun)blessings ..............hence he prefers to stand uncovered.
another unique feature of the village shani shingnapur is the houses without doors and windowpans.Even the shops have no shutters and doors.It is said that any attempt to put doors etc has always ended into some or other kind of misfortune for the person trying to do so.People believe that no theft or dacoity can ever occur in the place as miscreants have to bear wrath of Shani Dev.Its overwhelming to experience the power of faith .from the times unknown this belief is surviving.The place is truly ruled by Shani Maharaj.
Shani Shingnapur is one of the most revered shrine of Shani Bhagwan.It's proximity to Shirdi makes it easy to reach.It's worth visiting this otherwise incospicuous hamlet simply to witness and experience the charisma of faith.
a wandering hermit in the premises ...........
the majestic gate which leads to the long covered corridors leading to the shrine..........
the devotees after the bath .the nearby roads are full of devotees .the whole place as if painted in saffron..........
this is where a big basket is kept and all the offerings except the mustard oil has to be left here only.later on same can be collected.
photography near the shrine is prohibited......a glimpse of the platform from outside.devotees approaching for offering mustard oil to Shani Dev...........
another viewof the main gate .from the side gate we can have a glimpse of the platform in the open courtyard.
another group of devotees proceeding towards shrine with their guide............
in the hope of prasadam outside temple wall............
those little devotees were simply adoring.with musturd oil bottles in hands they walk towards shrine.........
shops selling the essentials.........no doors ,no shutters.even the rooms on first floor only curtains hang ........doors?no,not at all.
a close look at one of the shops.it's all red and orange here also............vibrantly coloured.........
the temple top from the market compound.this temple stands close to the shrine............
a house in the village.the plank is kept to keep the stray dogs away as the entrance does not have any door.
another home..........all these were at the side of road and this is the front view and main entrance of the home.
the little master was all set to proceed for school.he saw sunder focussing his camera on the door and there he was in front of his home striking a pose to oblige the cameraman..................
the hearth and the warmth..........home is where mother is............
all the pictures have copyright of sunder iyer.
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