While people all across the country are troubled by increasing cases of theft, there is one town in India where people do not even have doors and locks at their homes and still don’t fear robberies. Not a single house in this town has a door, let alone locks on them. Residents of this town keep their valuables such as cash and jewelry in packets or boxes, since they do not even have cupboards for storing them. People here don’t even lock their vehicles. Surprisingly, there has been no case of theft in this town.
Homes in Shani Shingnapur have no locks or doors. BBC
Welcome to Shani Shignapur in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. Reports say people just place bamboo sticks on the doors of their houses to restrict entry of stray animals. And all of this is out of no ignorance but a firm belief that the glory of Lord Shani safeguards their houses from thefts.
Shani Shingnapur Temple. Shanidev
Shani Shingnapur is the abode of renowned Shani Shingnapur Temple that has a swayambhu idol of Lord Shani. The 5 feet 9 inches tall and 1 foot 6 inches wide black idol rests on a white marble surface and is the source of immense faith and reverence among lakhs of followers of Lord Shani. This un-sheltered idol has remained intact for unknown number of years and fights all odds of the weather.
The Swayambhu idol of Lord Shani at Shani Shingnapur Temple. Shanidev
The temple is visited by thousands of followers every day, while Saturdays are special days when the number of devotees as well as tourists is much higher. And when a new moon night falls on Saturday, the temple is thronged by lakhs of tourists as well as of devotees of Lord Shani. The number of visitors even crosses 10 lakh on new moon Saturdays and Shani Jayanti.
Devotees at Shani Shingnapur Temple. Supercabz
It is for their strong faith in the powers of Lord Shani that people of this town do not believe in using locks and doors to keep their homes and valuables safe. Residents of this town believe that Lord Shani punishes anyone who attempts theft. Even banks in this small town have no locks.
Indian Express
In fact, the only bank here too has no locks or security system but hasn’t faced any attempt of robbery so far.