Friday, January 16, 2009

Shani Singnapur


After spending time at Shirdi we went to Shani Singnapur about 70 kms away. This place is famous for the shrine of Saturn. The Swayanbhu or emanation of the God is placed on quadrangular terrace where it stands majestically. The myth says that about 350 years ago Shanidev came to this village. No one steals from this village which is under the protection of this malevolent God who meets ou the just punishment for all evil deeds. The shops and houses in this village have no doors!
In fact the four peculiarities of Shingnapur are
God is but templeless (Yes, the shrine is open to the sky!)
Houses are but Doorless
Tree is but Shadeless (The branches of a neem tree which spread over the idol keep breaking away!)
Fear is but enemyless (Where Shani protects, fear no enemy!)
There are some rituals that people perform here to ward of the "curse" of Shani.
Dr. Bapurao Desai, in his book "significance of Shani Shingnapur" argues that Shani is not malevolent at all. On the other hand Shani blesses all who obey the dictates of fate and accept the troubles and travails of their life as a just result of their own past actions and crimes. To accept and suffer is to remove the effect of the result of our actions. To those who are thus liberated by suffering, Shani showers his choicest blessings and, what is more, protects them forever. And if the feared Shani were to protect you, who can oppose you?

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Murudeeshwar