Travelogram – Hyderabad to Shingnapur and Back

Introduction

This is the story of my journey from Hyderabad to Shingnapur and back. You might wonder,
why Shingnapur? Shingnapur is a quaint village in central Maharashtra renowned for its
unique temple dedicated to Lord Shanidev. This deity is a "Swayambu" (a self-evolved deity
in Sanskrit), believed to have emerged from the earth in the form of an imposing black stone.
Although the exact period is unknown, it's believed the Swayambu Shaniswara statue has
existed since the start of the Kaliyuga, discovered by local shepherds in a nearby river.

Part 1: The Journey to Shingnapur

My journey to Shingnapur was filled with excitement. Given the short notice of my trip and
limited train connectivity, I booked a ticket with Orange Travels, my favorite bus operator.
For a mere 1200 INR each way, I secured a sleeper berth in an A/C Volvo bus.

I boarded the bus at Madinaguda, opposite Bajaj Electronics and Fortune Heights, at 8 PM.
Arriving early, I had an hour to spare, which I spent walking around the neighborhood,
visiting a large Vishnu temple and a park. The temple priest, with his "blessings cap,"
provided prasad and a message from God, making the wait pleasant.

The bus arrived on time but left late due to connecting buses delayed by traffic. Orange Tours
and Travels' customer service impressed me; they accommodated my request to change my
boarding point from Habsiguda to Madinaguda, sending a confirmation SMS.

As the bus journeyed through BHEL and RC Puram, I reminisced about my childhood visits
to circuses upon seeing a large fairground. Dinner consisted of delicious chapati and potato
capsicum curry packed by my dear wife, a welcome meal after my walk.

The bus stopped at Zaheerabad for a break, where I stretched my legs and explored a large
hotel playing an Akshay Kumar movie on a massive screen. Despite the comfortable facilities
on the bus, the ride turned bumpy around 2 AM, making sleep difficult. We reached
Ahmednagar at 8:30 AM, two hours late.

At Ahmednagar, I faced the challenge of last-mile connectivity. I had to switch to another

bus, then a share-tempo, and finally an auto-rickshaw to reach Shingnapur. The lush green
farms and sugar cane fields along the way were a refreshing sight.

Part 2: The Stay in Shingnapur

Upon entering Shingnapur, I felt a sense of purity. Despite a brief misadventure with an auto
driver, I reached my Dharamshala, opposite the main temple, where the room cost a nominal
100 INR per day. The absence of locks, replaced by simple stoppers, was intriguing.

I rushed to the Shrine by 11 AM. The sight of Lord Shani Dev, in his open-to-the-sky, black
oblong stone form, was awe-inspiring. A continuous stream of mustard oil, a favorite of Lord
Shani Dev, flowed over the deity. The mantra "Neelanjana samabhasam ravi putram
yamagrajam, chaya marthand sambhutam tum namami shanaischaram" played in the
background, creating a divine atmosphere.
I spent hours meditating and chanting the Shani Beej Mantra, feeling a deep sense of
fulfillment despite a brief scare from a large rodent. Hunger pangs led me to a nearby hut
serving a delicious Maharashtrian thali, complemented by Amul Shrikhand and barfi prasad.

Despite being a regular Friday, the temple was bustling, reflecting the growing awareness of
Lord Shanidev's importance. After lunch, I rested and returned in the evening to continue my
meditations, exploring the temple premises and local village. The evening aarti was a serene
experience.

Part 3: The Return Journey

I woke early on Saturday to witness the special morning puja, which was a grand spectacle.
Donations from a wealthy Pune businessman funded the elaborate offerings and decorations.

Post-puja, I spent more time in meditation, enjoyed the free prasad, and did some shopping.
Though I planned to visit Shirdi, unexpected rains altered my plans.

The return journey to Ahmednagar for my bus back to Hyderabad was challenging due to
heavy rain. Despite the discomfort of a rickety auto-rickshaw and a lack of decent food
options, Orange Travels' efficiency shone through. I slept comfortably on the bus, reaching
home on Sunday morning.

Conclusion

Overall, it was a memorable experience. The few challenges I faced were manageable, and I
look forward to returning to renew the blessings from the revered Lord Shaniswara.