The Ahilyanagar police cyber cell has recently made significant arrests concerning the Shani Shingnapur Temple. Two employees from the temple trust were apprehended for allegedly diverting over ₹50 lakh into their personal accounts. This malpractice involved manipulating online applications meant for booking pooja services.
Located in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, the Shani Shingnapur Temple is dedicated to Lord Shanidev, a prominent figure in Hinduism associated with the planet Saturn. The deity is represented as a five-and-a-half-feet-high black rock, believed to be swayambhu, meaning self-emerged. Interestingly, the village surrounding the temple is known for its unique characteristic: none of the houses have doors, and remarkably, no theft has ever been reported.
The architectural design of the Shani Shingnapur Temple is quite distinctive. It lacks roofs, doors, and walls, making it the only temple where Lord Shani is worshipped in an open-sky environment. Continuous worship involves the pouring of mustard oil from a copper vessel that hangs above the idol of Lord Shani. Adjacent to the stone idol, there is a Trishul and a Nandi located to the south.
In front of the main idol, smaller images of Shiva and Hanuman can be found. Additionally, an east-facing multi-deity temple was later constructed to the west of the Shani idol. The temple complex also includes a tomb of Saint Udasi Baba and a temple dedicated to Dattatreya, enriching the spiritual significance of the site.
Q1. What is the significance of Shani Shingnapur Temple?
Answer: Shani Shingnapur Temple is significant as it is dedicated to Lord Shanidev, worshipped as a swayambhu black rock. It symbolizes faith and devotion in Hindu culture.
Q2. Why does Shani Shingnapur village not have doors?
Answer: The village is famous for having no doors in any house, reflecting a strong belief in the protective power of Lord Shani, resulting in no reported thefts.
Q3. What recent scandal occurred at Shani Shingnapur Temple?
Answer: Recently, two employees of the temple trust were arrested for allegedly diverting funds exceeding ₹50 lakh into their personal accounts through manipulated online services.
Q4. How is the idol of Lord Shani maintained?
Answer: The idol of Lord Shani is continuously anointed with mustard oil poured from a copper vessel, which enhances the temple's unique worship practices.
Q5. What other deities are present in Shani Shingnapur Temple?
Answer: Besides Lord Shani, the temple complex features smaller idols of Shiva and Hanuman, along with a multi-deity temple and the tomb of Saint Udasi Baba.
Question 1: What is the primary deity worshipped at Shani Shingnapur Temple?
A) Lord Shiva
B) Lord Hanuman
C) Lord Shanidev
D) Lord Dattatreya
Correct Answer: C
Question 2: What unique feature does Shani Shingnapur village have?
A) All houses have doors
B) No houses have doors
C) It is the largest village in Maharashtra
D) It is a tourist hotspot
Correct Answer: B
Question 3: How much money was allegedly diverted by the temple trust employees?
A) ₹20 lakh
B) ₹50 lakh
C) ₹1 crore
D) ₹75 lakh
Correct Answer: B
Question 4: What is the material of the idol of Lord Shani?
A) Marble
B) Black stone
C) Gold
D) Wood
Correct Answer: B
Question 5: Who is the saint associated with the temple complex?
A) Saint Dattatreya
B) Saint Udasi Baba
C) Saint Shankaracharya
D) Saint Ramanuja
Correct Answer: B
Question 6: In what type of setting is Lord Shani worshipped at Shani Shingnapur Temple?
A) Closed temple
B) Open-sky
C) Indoor shrine
D) Fortified temple
Correct Answer: B
Question 7: What is continuously poured on the idol of Lord Shani?
A) Water
B) Ghee
C) Mustard oil
D) Milk
Correct Answer: C
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