Shani
Shingnapur, also known as Sonai, is a village in the Indian state of
Maharashtra. Situated in Nevasa taluka in Ahmadnagar district, the
village is known for its popular temple of Shani, the Hindu god of the
planet (graha) Saturn.
Shani Shingnapur Temple
Shani Shingnapur Temple
Shingnapur is also famous for the fact that no house in the village has
doors, only door frames. Despite this, no theft is reported in the
village. Villagers never keep their valuables under lock and key. Legend
says that the temple is a “jagrut devasthan” (lit. “alive temple”),
meaning that the god here is very powerful. They believe that god Shani
punishes anyone attempting theft. Devotees, pilgrims and tourists
arriving in Sonai can leave their valuables in a car or bus with all the
doors unlocked and not worry about anyone stealing it. The only barrier
to enter a house are curtains which keep out stray animals. People
believe that nobody dares to steal anything because they are punished by
Shanishwara, the local deity, and the owner has always got the stolen
things back – if any such thing ever happens.
The village has a
post office and a high school known as Shri Shanishwar Vidya Mandir
besides the primary schools run by the Zilla Parishad. The chief source
of water supply in the villages is wells.
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