Shani Shingnapur Ahmednagar

Shrine’s History

In our routine lives, there is a great importance of the kindness and the power of God Shani. Shani occupies the seventh place among the nine planets which govern the world. This is viewed as unlucky in conventional astrology. As per ‘Kaagol Shastra’, the distance of Shani from the earth is 9 crore miles. Its radius is about one billion and 82 crore and 60 lakh kilometres. And its gravitational force is 95 times higher than that of the earth. Planet Shani takes 19 years to complete one revolution around the Sun. The astronauts have viewed Shani’s colours as beautiful, strong, influencing and eye-catching.

It has twenty-two satellites in its ring. Shani’s gravitational power is more than that of the Earth’s. Therefore, when we think good or bad thoughts and make plans, they reach Shani by the strength of his power. In astrological terms, the bad influence is considered as unlucky. But the result of good deeds will be good. Therefore, we must understand God Shani as a friend and not as a foe. And for bad deeds, he is Sade Saathi, disaster and an enemy. As regards the birth of Shani, there are different stories. Foremost and accepted is the one in the ancient ‘Scanda Poorana’ of Kasi Khanda which is as follows. God Soorya was married to Daksha Kanya Sadnya.

Sadnya could not tolerate the radiance of God Surya. She used to feel that by doing penance she could increase her brilliance. Or, by the power of her penance, she could diminish the glare of God Surya. But for God Surya, she was a spouse worshipping wife. From God Surya, she had three children. One was Vaivastahva Manu. The second was Yama Raj. And the third was Yamuna. Sadnya loved her children very much. But, she was very upset with the radiance of God Surya. One day, she thought that she would separate from God Surya, go to her parents’ home and undertake great penance. And if there was opposition, she would go far away to a lonely and undertake great penance. By strength of her penance, Sadnya created a ‘Chaya’ of herself and named her Suvarna. And, and then the shadow of herself became Suvarna. After handing over the children to Chaya, Sadnya told her that Chaya would thereafter play the role of womanhood and nurse her three children. She told her if any problem arose, she should call her and she would come rushing to her. But she cautioned her that she must remember that she was Chaya, not Sadnya, and nobody should know this difference. Sadnya hander over her responsibilities to Chaya and went away to her parents’ place. She went home and told her father that she could not stand the radiance of God Surya. And therefore, without telling her husband she had come away. Listening to this, her father scolded her very much and told her that without being called, if the daughter returns home, both she and her father would be cursed. He told her to go back to her home immediately.

Then, Saudnya began to worry that if she went back, what would happen to the responsibilities which she had given to Chaya. Where would Chaya go? And their secret would be exposed. So, Sadnya went to the dense jungles in Uttar Kurukshetra and took repose there. She was fearful of her safety in the jungle because of her youthfulness and beauty. And she changed her form into that of a mare so that none could recognise her and started her penance. Elsewhere, the union of God Surya and Chaya begot three children. God Surya and Chaya were happy with each other. Surya never doubted anything. The children of Chaya were Manu, God Shani and Putri Bhadra . As per the second story, the creation of God Shani was the result of Maharishi Kashyap’s great ‘yagna’. When God Shani was in the womb of Chaya, Shiv Bhaktini Chaya was so engrossed in penance of God Shiva that she did not care for her food even.

She prayed so intensely during her penance that the prayers had a profound influence on the child in her womb. As a result of such a great penance of Chaya, without food and shade in the blazing sun, the complexion of God Shani became black. When God Shani was born, Surya was surprised to see his dark complexion. He began to doubt Chaya. He insulted Chaya by saying that this was not his son. From birth itself, God Shani had inherited the great powers of his mother’s penance. He saw that his father was insulting his mother. He saw his father with a cruel gaze.

As a result his father’s body was charred black. The horses of God Surya’s chariot stopped. The chariot would not move. Worried, God Surya called out to God Shiva. God Shiva advised God Surya and explained to him about what had happened. That is, because of him the respect of mother and child had been tarnished and insulted. God Surya accepted his fault and apologized. And regained his earlier glorious looks and the power of his chariot’s horses. Since then, God Shani became a good son to his father and mother and an ardent disciple of God Shiva.

Legends Associated with This Shrine

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 “Shanaishwara”. 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 an open sky. He asked the shephered to do daily pooja and ‘Tailabhisheka’ every Saturday without fail. He also promised the whole hamlet will have no fear of dacoits or burglars or thieves. So, Lord Shanaishwara can be seen even today, in the open yard without any roof above. To this day, there are no doors for any houses, shops, temples. It is to be seen to believe that even post office has no door, not to speak of locks. Due to the fear of Lord Shani, none of the structures, be it dwelling houses, huts, shops, etc. situated within a one-kilometer radius of this Lord Shani temple have neither doors nor locks. No thievery or burglary was reported until 2010 when the first theft was reported and again another one was reported in 2011. Some who have tried to steal have died vomiting blood within minutes of their act and before they could cross the boundary.Many others are said to have received varied punishments such as long sickness, mental imbalance etc. This Shani Shingnapur is visited daily by thousands of devotees praying for Lord Shaneswara’s favour.

The place is busiest on Saturdays. Shani Thrayodashi is considered to be a favourite day for the lord. Similarly, Saturday falling on ‘Amavasya’ is considered to be a favourite day for the Lord Shanaishwara and on that day’s devotees seeking his blessings throng this temple in thousands.

Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There

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 has 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.

By Rail

The nearest railway stations to Shani Shingnapur are Rahuri (32 km), Ahmednagar (35 km), and Shrirampur (54 km), Shirdi Railway Station (75 km).

By Air

The nearest airport to Shani Shingnapur is Aurangabad airport located at a distance of 90 km. The airport at Nasik has 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 travellers can catch a flight to Mumbai and then travel 293 km more via road to reach Shani Shingnapur. The Pune domestic airport is located at a distance of over 161 km from the pilgrim destination.

Events Celebrated at This Shrine

In Shanishingnapur, every day, lakhs of devotees of God Shani come for a darshan. On every Saturday, innumerable devotees come and benefit from the darshan.

On every Shani Amavasya and the Gudi Padava of every year, lakhs of devotees of God Shani benefit from the ShriShaneshchar Jayanti, the special day of God Shanis birthday, is celebrated with great gusto and devotion.

Every year, from Chaitra Shuddha Dashami to Chaitrya Vidya Pratipada, continuously, the chanting of Gods name and Granthraj Dnyaneshwari Parayan is being performed.

During this period, every day, prayers are performed as follows

a) Early in the morning from 4 a.m. to 5 a.m. Kakada Aart.

b) 5 a.m. to 6 a.m. Vishnu Sahastra Naam.

c) 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. Dnyaneshwari Vaachan.

d) 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sangeet Bhajan.

e) 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Pravachan

f) 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Haripaatha and

g) 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Hari Keertan and Jaagar. From 1991, on Aashadi Ekadashi of every year, from Shanishingnapur to Pandarpur, Shaneshwar Palki is taken on foot with great fanfare. In this, all the trustees and devotees participate. Similarly, from 1991, during Ekanaathi Shashti of every year, all the trustees and devotees participate in taking Shaneshwar Palki on foot, with great fanfare, from Shanishingnapur to Paithan.