Shani Shingnapur is a small village in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district known for its unique tradition of not having any locks or doors on any of its houses or establishments. The locals strongly believe in Lord Shani, the Hindu god of Saturn, and think he will protect them from all danger.
The Legend of Shani Shingnapur
Shani Shingnapur’s tale dates back over 300 years. According to folklore, a self-manifested black stone with an image of Lord Shani appeared on the banks of the Panasnala River. A local shepherd discovered the statue and brought it to the village. The villagers established a temple for it, namely the Shani Shingnapur temple, and began to worship the five-foot-tall black stone figure. A thief attempted to steal the stone from the temple one day. However, as soon as he touched the stone, he became afflicted with an unknown illness. The thief apologized and offered to return the stone. The thief’s ailment vanished once the figure was returned to the temple. Because of this incident, the locals believed Lord Shani protected them from harm. As a symbol of their belief in Lord Shani, they removed all locks and doors from their homes and shops.
Life in Shani Shingnapur
Shani Shingnapur is now a vibrant village with more than 4,000 people. All the village residences and shops still lack locks and doors. The villagers leave their belongings out in the open, unconcerned about theft. It is thought that anyone attempting to steal here will incur the anger of the supreme power and will be promptly punished with blindness. Even the jewelry and money are not kept in lockers. Most public toilets in Shani Shingnapur village square do not have doors. The people agreed to hang a thin curtain near the entryway to give women privacy. But not doors, as this would contradict the tradition. The locals will periodically place a barrier or a sheet at the door to keep dogs and stray animals out.
There are many legends about people who attempted to steal from the community but were punished by Lord Shani. One anecdote, for example, speaks of a robber trying to take gold jewellery from the temple. However, lightning struck him, and he lost his hands as soon as he touched the necklace. Another anecdote talks of a burglar attempting to take a villager’s bicycle. He could not pedal the bicycle, however, and kept falling off. He knew Lord Shani was punishing him and returned the bicycle to the villager.
Crime in Shani Shignapur
The crime rate in Shani Shingnapur is meager. For hundreds of years, there have been no known occurrences of theft or burglary in the village. The locals believe this is due to Lord Shani’s protection. However, a few incidences of petty theft have been documented in recent years. These incidents have been attributed to outsiders unfamiliar with the village’s customs.
Tourism in Shani Shingnapur
Shani Shingnapur is a renowned tourist attraction, particularly among Hindus. Pilgrims from all across India gather to worship Lord Shani in the village. Foreigners interested in Indian culture and religion visit the village too. Visitors are astounded to witness a village without locks or doors; everyone lives in harmony and trust.
