Facts to know before visiting Shani Shingnapur

Hello Readers😀!! How is your day? Hope everyone is doing great. This is itsmeachutha back with a new blog sharing my experience at Shani Shingapur.
A few days ago, as a part of my trip to Shirdi I visited a few places near Maharashtra and one among them is Shani Shingnapur which I got to know from YouTube vloggers and google feed. Here I am not gonna share the history or the appearance of the place this is completely a raw experience of mine which I thought every one of us should know before visiting.

As many of the vloggers and travelers suggested on YouTube the temple has really very good architecture and view but there is something that was not meant to happen in the name of God. Let me now briefly list the things that are not mentioned anywhere. As YouTube videos suggest Shani Shingnapur is not as near to Shirdi, it takes around 1hr 40minutes - 2 hours on one side and the distance from Shirdi is 72km.

Out of my experience I didn't find something like the complete village has no doors as said in many videos. Maybe few still follow that but most houses, shops, banks, and ATMs had doors. However, if you are someone who is curious about and traveling to this location only for this reason, you might be let down.

There would be minibus travelers or cars asking for trips to Shani Shingnapur from Shirdi each traveler has their individual pricing starting from INR 200 - 350 to pick up and drop back to the location you booked. I suggest if you are a good bargainer then you can fix a deal for around INR 200. Here comes the really disappointing matter. They pick up travelers from Shirdi and take us almost near the temple.

Hey did you read that properly I said almost near to the temple yes near to the temple but not at the temple. They stop vehicles near a shop to tell you the history of this place, guide us on how to go, and do the rituals in the temple. They begin by telling a brief tale before asking you to bring flowers, dark cloth, sesame oil, and other items. Once you take the basket, they start telling you the prices of each if it is just a basket the pricing starts from 700. They also tell you if you visit for the first time you should carry all this stuff and if you are a 2nd or 3rd time visitor carry these.

They keep motivating you until you purchase them. If you refuse to purchase them, they start humiliating you in a respectful way something like you came here to visit Shanidev and spent a lot but you are thinking a small amount which would actually cost from INR 700 - 3000 just for a few flowers, a piece of cloth, some leaves and a coconut they cost INR 700 which is totally unfair. If you add some oil and a few more it would cost nearly INR 3000. People from different regions visit to see the place and experience spirituality but these kinds of people practice unfair business in the name of GOD. It should completely be the choice of an individual to purchase or as far as I observed it is not as mandatory as they say. My kind request is not to encourage such people and doesn't waste your valuable money. As every penny you earn is out of your hard work instead of giving them that amount there are so many old people in Shirdi asking for some food it would be better if we donate some food to them their blessings would give us more bliss.

This blog is completely my experience from my recent trip to Maharashtra and had no intention to blame or humiliate anyone & just to spread awareness. I hope you found this blog informative, please do share, and comment on your experience at Shani Shingnapur.