There are neither doors nor locks in this village of Maharashtra!
Houses, shops, buildings have no doors in Shani Shingnapur, a quiet village in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra
There are neither doors nor locks in this village of Maharashtra! Credit: Canva (symbolic image)
is located in the state of Maharashtra, Shani Shingnapur It is unlike any other village in India or perhaps the world. Known for its unique traditions, this village has raised many eyebrows for one notable reason: no one locks their doors here! In fact, as a symbol of faith in the village deity, Lord Shani, houses, shops and buildings throughout the village remain completely open – without any locks or bolts. In fact, this unique belief brings travelers in droves to this village every year.
Why are there no doors in Shani Shingnapur?
The village’s deep faith in the protective power of Lord Shani, the god of justice, is centuries old. According to local legend, a huge black stone representing the deity was found by a shepherd centuries ago. It is said that when a local shepherd hit the stone with a sharp stick, it started bleeding. That night, Lord Shani appeared in the shepherd’s dream and instructed him to place the stone in an open place where it would protect the village and ensure the safety of every household. Since then, the villagers believe that Lord Shani keeps an eye on them, and any misdeed or theft will be met with immediate divine punishment. Because of their faith, the entire village operates on an open-door policy.
Shanidev temple
Even the local shops and post office in Shani Shingnapur do not have doors. In 2011, UCO Bank opened India’s first lockless branch here with a glass entrance and an intelligent remote-controlled lock for security, respecting local traditions. In fact, even the police station here has no doors, because the crime rate in this village is negligible, or at least not high enough to change their ways.
Also read: International Tourism Day 2024: These 4 villages of Uttarakhand will be honored with tourism awards
Tourists visiting Shani Shingnapur are often surprised to see the trust and community spirit prevalent in the village. While the open-door policy may seem unimaginable to those living in an urban environment, for the residents of Shani Shingnapur, it is simply a way of life.
Get the latest news live on Times Now with breaking news and top headlines from destinations, travel and around the world.
