Shani Shingnapur Temple is a famous temple which is located at a distance of 65 kilometers from Shirdi nestled in the Ahmednagar district. This popular temple is dedicated to Lord Shanidev, the popular Hindu god associated with the planet Saturn. The temple is well known amongst the locals and devotees from all around India. Apart from the temple, Shingnapur is a small village which is also famous for the fact that in the whole village no house has doors and despite this no theft has been reported in the village.
The presiding deity in the temple is Lord Shani and the temple is a “Jagrut Devasthan” (alive temple) which means that a deity still resides in the temple premises. The main deity of the temple is Swayambhu which is self emerged from the earth in the form of black imposing stone. It is said that the deity is in the existence since the beginning of Kali Yuga. However, no one is sure of the exact time.
Shani Shingnapur by Air: The nearest airport to reach Shani Shingnapur Temple is Aurangabad Airport which is nestled 90 kilometers away. However, the airport at Nasik is situated at a distance of 144 kilometers and Pune Airport is nestled 161 kilometers away from the temple. So, in case you wish to visit Shani Shingnapur by Airport you can take the cab or bus to the temple from any of the above mentioned airports.
Shani Shingnapur by Road: The famous Shani Shingnapur Temple is easily accessible by road as MSRTC – Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation buses are easily available from all the major destinations of Maharashtra including Shirdi, Rahuri, Ahmednagar, Pune, Vashi and Mumbai etc. Moreover, one can also opt to take cab, taxies and private buses.
Facts about Shani Shingnapur
1) - Shani Shingnapur is the name of a village in Nevasa taluka in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra; the village is known for its popular temple of Lord Shani - Shri Shaneshwar Devasthan Shanishingnapur - the Hindu god associated with the planet Saturn.
2)- Shani Shingnapur is globally known as the only village where houses do not have doors and locks, and the village remains theft-free. Even the nationalised UCO Bank's branch in the village does not have locks on its doors. Belief has it that thieves cannot steal or burgle in the village which is protected by Lord Shani, and misfortune and divine punishment would befall anyone who attempts to steal.
3) - The unique open temple has no walls or roof; a self-emerged (svayambhu) five-foot-high black stone stands on a platform and is worshipped as Lord Shanidev.
4) - The temple platform stands in the centre of the village, also known as Sonai and attracts millions of tourists and devotees from across the country and abroad.
5) - Women devotees are not allowed to worship at this temple. The Shani Shignapur temple follows an old practice of not allowing women to enter the core shrine area claiming women to be impure. It is an ancient tradition that women are debarred from climbing up the temple steps to pour oil and offer prayers to Shanidev.
Shani Shingnapur By Road
Shani Shingnapur in Ahmednagar District is easily accessible by road. It is situated 6 km away from Godhegaon on the Aurangabad – Ahmednagar Rd. A tar motorable road from this place leads directly to Shri Shanaiswar Temple. This road remains open all around the year. Most people who come to Shani Shingnapur make the point to visit the famous Sai Baba Temple at Shirdi 70 km from this place.
Rahuri bus stop is 32 km, Ahmednagar 35 km, and Aurangabad is 84 km away from Shani Shingnapur. Nasik is located 144 km, Pune 161 km, Vashi 265 km, and Mumbai 293 km. Those who want can easily avail the buses operated by Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) or even private buses, and cars for reaching here.
Shani Shingnapur By Train
The nearest railway stations to Shani Shingnapur are Rahuri (32 km), Ahmednagar (35 km), and Shrirampur (54 km), Shirdi Railway Station (75 km). One can avail trains from these stations to varied destinations. This includes Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Manmad, Goa, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Shirdi as well as other places across India.
After alighting at the nearest station to Shani Shingnapur one has to take auto-rickshaws, taxis, other private vehicles or local buses to reach the temple village.
Shani Shingnapur By Air
The nearest airport to Shani Shingnapur is Aurangabad airport located at a distance of 90 km. Airport at Nasik is situated 144 km away. From here, one can travel on to any city across India by catching the relevant domestic flight. Both domestic and international travelers can catch a flight to Mumbai and then travel 293 km more via road to reach Shani Shingnapur. Pune domestic airport is located at a distance of over 161 km from the pilgrim destination.
