A nondescript small town in Maharashtra, Shirdi is the hometown of the famous 19th century Fakir Baba and is a very well-known pilgrimage. The popular Shani Shingnapur Temple is located around 70 kilometres from Shirdi and is unique for the fact that the temple including all the houses in that village has no doors. The popular Shani Shingnapur Temple, makes this village popular, Shani is the Hindu god associated with the planet (graha) Saturn. This is one of the most popular Shani Temples in India and also among the popular pilgrimage places to visit near Pune.
Shani Shingnapur, 160 kilometres from Pune, represents an important place in Maharashtra’s pilgrimage tour due to the God Shani or Shanaishwara temple. In the temple, God Shani is worshiped in the type of unique looking black stone is his swayambhu form; status high on a system. A ‘trishul’ as well the sculpture of ‘Nandi’ (bull) further flanks the main idol of Shani. Two small images, one of Shiva and the other of Hanuman, complete the tableau.
The Shani temple is visited by thousands of devotees throughout the year by availing Shani Shingnapur Tour, among them, Saturday is a busy day. Shani Trayodasi is considered to be a favourite day for the lord. Similarly, Saturday falling on Amavasya is believed to be a popular day for Lord Shanaishwara and devotees in huge figures throng to temple. Devotees are permitted to type in the temple premises after taking a bath. Wishes are provided by the devotees in conventional dhotis at the Shani Shingnapur Temple.
