Shani Shingnapur : Do you double check your locked doors before you go out? This is a common practice, but not in this village in Maharashtra. The quaint little village known as Shani Shingnapur is a village without locks or doors. Incredible, right? While most of us often have an obsession with checking locked doors for the sake of security, people in this village are of the opposite opinion. There are no doors in Shingnapur, only door frames, and it is their undying faith in Lord Shani (the god of Saturn) that makes them believe that they will remain safe without basic security.Read also: The famous Ellora Caves will soon be the first heritage site in India to have hydraulic lifts installed
There are many temples, monuments, forts around which fascinating legends or superstitions revolve, but firstly, this whole village lives the life of a fairy tale from a long, long time ago.
LEGEND FOR WITHOUT DOORS
It is rather intriguing to note how the entire village acts and conducts its life based on a belief that no one can give any guarantees. If you believe the legends, once, 300 years ago, a heavy black block of rock was thrown onto the banks of the Panasnala River after heavy rains. This river once meandered and gurgled through this village in glory. But, amazingly, when the locals touched the stove with a stick, blood began to ooze out of nowhere.
The famous Shani temple in the village (Image: zeenewsHindi)
Later, after nightfall, it is said that the ruler of Shani appeared in a dream to the head of the village and said that the black boulder was his idol. Further, he ordered to settle in the village with one condition – that his idol would not be placed under any shelter, so that he could freely inspect the village and protect it.
And this is how even the villagers decided not to install any locks or doors in any house under the pretext that Lord Shani watches over them and protects them from the dangers of the outside world.
even public restrooms don’t have doors (Image: funny planet.com)
Not only that, but people also believe that if anyone inserts a lock or a door, its doomed to a fatal fate. The fear of the god Saturn is so strong that, despite the absence of doors, there are no reports of thefts in the village. Although some thefts have been reported in the recent past, the villagers denied these rumors, stating that it happened outside the village.
According to the BBC, the police station, which only opened in September 2015 and has yet to receive any complaints from the villagers, has no front door; while United Commercial Bank opened India’s first “lockless” branch in Shani Shingnapur in 2011, installing a transparent-inspired glass entrance and a subtle electromagnetic remote-controlled lock in deference to the beliefs of the villagers.
This unique story attracts around 40,000 visitors every day, especially to the famous Shani Temple. Interaction and familiarity with the local culture is what attracts travelers to this place. But when one does come to this village, a little detour to places like the Ajanta Ellora caves, Shirdi and of course the Shani temple is not to be missed.
Still don’t believe? Head to this unconventional village and see for yourself!