Shani Shinganapur, a village is famous as a pilgrimage as well as for its door less mystery. The houses here have gaping, rectangular spaces at the facade of every home. No door frames, no latches, no padlocks or any other safety measures to guard the house. The door less architecture makes its presence felt right from the famous temple Sri Shaneshwar Graha Devatha. Male devotees clad in saffron cloth take a head bath in the holy waters close to the temple before entering into the temple. There's no Pandit to perform Pooja. The Pooja is carried out in the form of Pradakshanas, a ritual that involves going around the idol a couple of times, chanting prayers. Devotees also perform Abhishekas (rites involving pouring of certain liquids over the idol) with water and til (mustard) oil. Thousands of people including a few famous personalities gather on Shani Amvasaya to perform Pooja.

To the east of Shaneshwar there is a village called Devgad, that is famous for Shri Datta temple. The temple is open for the visitors for 24 hours. A trust has been formed by the locals to provide all the materials and utensils free of charge to devotees, who want to give Annadan (distribution of free food). A Dharamashala (a place of free shelter and food) is also available more than 150 people can have lunch. The trust plans to start a religious library, a hospital and a pilgrim school.

The barriers to enter a house are curtains, and these have been put up to keep out stray animals. People believe that nobody dares to steal anything because then Shani Deva, the local deity punishes them, and the owner has always got the stolen things back. There is also a belief that if a person is bitten by a snake in Shinganapur and is brought near the idol and a ritual performed, the poison gets neutralized.

Another belief attached to this place is the story of Neem tree standing to the North of the Shani idol. It is believed that the tree sheds its branches if one happens to cast a shadow over the idol.

From here you can make your way towards Shirdi.

How to get there:
The nearest airport is Nashik, which is 160 kms from Shinganapur.