Door to Heaven

Despite the changes in the intervening years, the estimated 6,500 residents in this village live with the singular belief that Lord Shaneshwar Saturn protects them from thieves and other ills. Surprisingly, there is no such bar for those living outside the parameters of Shani Shingnapur. Visit any part of this village and even the most plush bungalows follow the stated rule.

Shopkeepers leave their shops open even at night. 8216;8216;When God is protecting us we are not afraid. If anyone wants something from the shop they take it and keep the money near the counter. Life here is based on trust,8217;8217; says Ramchandra Pawar, shop owner.

Considered one of the most 8216;awakened8217; spiritual centres in Maharashtra no less than 10,000 people visit here on any given day. However, on Saturdays considered auspicious for worshipping Saturn an estimated 25,000 people visit the village. During the yatra days three times a year about three lakh people visit the village on a single day. Only men are allowed to worship the deity; women cannot mount the platform housing the deity.

According to legend about 156 years ago, in a heavy downpour the Panas Nala stream was flooded. A black idol flowing along the stream got stuck in the thorny zizyphus plant, about 150 metres from this village. The flood abated and the idol was spotted by shepherds. They poked the idol with their sticks and it started bleeding. On being intimated about the incident the villagers ran to the spot.

The legend states that on two consecutive nights a villager had recurring dreams in which the idol asked to be consecrated in the village. They did. However a divine voice warned them that no roof should be built over the idol nor should it be moved from the place where it was initially installed.

Kamal Dynandev Sable, the village headwoman sarpanch reiterates the legend. 8216;8216;There have been no robberies in the village. When someone has tried they have gone blind and unless they confessed they were unable to leave the village,8217;8217; she says narrating an instance of attempted robbery in her house. 8216;8216;We keep our money in banks that have been built outside the village. When married daughters come to visit us they are warned not to carry any locks with them. They must bring their belongings in bags, not suitcases,8217;8217; says Sable.

Though the entire village is green with lush standing crop, the area where the deity is installed is open without even a single tree. Residents claim a tree planted by a devotee to provide shade to the idol just withered away despite adequate care. Since then no tree or greenery grows in the precincts of the idol.

Says villager Balasaheb Gangadhar Dhokne, a driver, 8216;8216;Our toilets and bathroom too do not have doors. Architectural tricks help maintain the privacy of rooms,8217;8217; he says.

People here have large families but do not mind the lack of privacy. 8216;8216;When we want some private time we draw the curtains. This is the indication to keep off,8217;8217; says Dynandeo Sable.

Politicians, actors and businessmen, all make it a point to pay obeisance to the deity here. Well known visitors include singers Udit Narayan and Anuradha Paudwal, actors Govinda, Jaya Prada, Dara Singh, Aditya Panscholi, Sridevi, Shilpa Shetty and Akshay Kumar, director Ramanand Sagar of the Ramayan fame.

In fact, during the political upheaval in Maharashtra, incumbent deputy chief minister Vijaysinh Mohite Patil paid his respects to the deity. According to the sarpanch he got his present assignment soon after. Little wonder then, that the village is still keeping up the faith.