Shani Shinganapur - The Holy Province of Shani Dev

"God without Temple,

Houses without Doors,

Tree but shadeless,

Fear but enemiless."

That is the description of Shani Shinganapur which is famous as the abode of Shani Bhagwan. The fame of this village has spread not only in India but abroad as well as Shani Bhagwan’s Holy Province. The Diety of Shinganapur is a swayambu idol and is found on a simple platform. The houses here have no door frames, latches or padlocks. The barriers to enter most houses are only curtains. It is believed that nobody can do any theft in this place and if anybody even attempts to do so would be punished by God Shani immediately. In Shinganapur one can find shops and houses without doors. There has been an instance where a person is bitten by a snake in Shinganapur and is brought near the idol and a ritual performed and poison gets neutralized. Another incident which i heard recently was about a theif who tried to steal a motor cycle could not do so because he was unable to start or push the vehicle. People travel long distances to take darsan at this temple. This Temple is visited by people of all religions.

Male devotees clad in only saffron cloth after taking bath can proceed in wet clothes to the platform where the swayambhu idol (self existant statue) of Shani Maharaj exists and perform puja to the idol.They can pour mustard Oil or water on the idol and even touch the idol. Women are forbidden from going near the idol or going near the well used from which water is drawn for bathing the idol. This place is frequented by those facing the malefic effect of Planet Saturn like Saade Saati. This place is flooded with devotees on the day of Shani Amavasya. But unlike some other places of worship, at the shrine in Shinganapur there is no special or privileged entry for anyone. The devotee has to be bare headed (without any cap or cloth on the head) while receiving Darshan of the deity. Brahmins are available for performing Pujas on Saturday and Monday.The Aarti timings are around 4 AM in the morning before sunrise and after sunset around 6 PM.

The nearest airport is Nashik, which is 160 kms from Shinganapur.This place is well connected by rail and road as well. One can get direct buses from Nasik, Shirdi, Ahmednagar and Pune. From Mumbai Shinganapur is 280 kms and can be reached in 5 hours. It is around 85 Kms from Aurangabad, 70 kms from Shirdi and 35kms from Ahmednagar. Devotees can stay back at the Devastan provided Accomodation which costs only around Rs 100.

The role of Shani dev is that of a judge in our lifes. He guides us like a guru and makes us stronger as human beings. For more on Shani, the personification of Planet Saturn, Saturn effects and remedies, mantras, stories and legends please visit my Blog Astrology - Planet Saturn in Horoscope.

• Shri Datta Temple, Devgad
• Renuka Mata Temple, Sonai
• Saibaba Temple, Shirdi

Shri Datta Temple is a very beautiful temple blessed with the beauty of nature as well. It is around 40 kms from Shignapur Village. Renuka Mata Temple is a fully glass made temple only around 7 kms from Shani Shinganapur. Shirdi is another place which is famous not only in India but also abroad which is around 75 kms from Shree Kshetra Shani Shinganapur. One can also visit Shri Kshetra Tryambakeshwar, one of the Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva which is near Nasik and the Astavinayak Temples (8 Famous Temples of Lord Ganesh) of Ozhar and Lenyadri which are a little far away.

Shani Mantra & Blue Sapphire

Shani Mantra is chanted to please Bhagwan Shani. The mantra is "Om Sham Shaneshswaraya Namah". One can also wear Blue Sapphire ring as a Saturn remedy. But make sure that you wear it only after consulting a good Astrologer.