Shani Shingnapur in Ahmednagar
District, Maharashtra state is a village known for its popular temple of Shani,
associated with the planet (graha) Saturn. Shingnapur is 35 km from Ahmednagar city.
The temple is believed to be a "jagrut
devasthan", meaning that a deity still resides in the temple icon.
Villagers believe that god Shani punishes anyone attempting theft. The
deity here is "Swayambhu" 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 Shanaishwara 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 shephered to do daily pooja and 'Tail abhisheka' every Saturday
without fail. He also promised the whole hamlet will have no fear of dacoits or
burglars or thieves.
The shrine for Shani consists of a five and a half
feet high black rock installed on an open-air platform, which symbolizes the
god Shani. A Trishula (trident) is placed along the side of the image
and a Nandi (bull) image is on the south side. In front are the small
images of Shiva and Hanuman.
Generally, the temple has 30–45,000 visitors a day,
which swells to around three lakh (i.e. three hundred thousand) on amavasya(the no moon day), believed
to be the most auspicious day to appease Shani. The village holds a fair
in honour of the deity on this day. A bigger festival is held on new moon days
that fall on Saturdays. Devotees bathe Lord Shani's image with water and oil
and offer flowers, and udid to
him. A palanquin procession of Shani is held on the day of the fair. Other
festivals include the birthday of Shani, Shani Jayanti.
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