Shani Mandir, popularly known as Prati Shani Shingnapur, is situated at Wagholi village of Nalasopara West in Palghar, Maharashtra, India. Thousands of devotees visit Shani Mandir of Nalasopara and pray for Shanidev’s favour. Shani is the ruler of karma. He is the god associated to planet Saturn. Shani Temple is located at a distance of 5 kms to the west from Nalasopara station on the Western Railway. The temple can also be accessed through the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway. The temple of Shani Dev is situated in a sprawling area of about twelve acres in the scenic area of Wagholi. Shani Amavasya, Shani Jayanti and Hanuman Jayanti are celebrated in this temple.
Shri Jayawantrao Naik built Shani Temple at Fulare Ali in Wagholi. Kaularu temple of Konkani and Kerala architecture has been built by a confluence of the new and the old style. As we step into the premises of the temple, we get an idea of the effective management, seeing the cleanliness and tidiness here. On the right side of the temple is a replica of Shani Shila like Shani Shingnapur in the middle of an open ring under the blue sky. This Shani Shila has been brought from Jaipur. In front is the small idol of Hanuman. After offering shriphal to Shani Dev and Hanuman and anointing oil on this Shani Shila, devotees go for darshan of Shani’s idol in the temple. It is believed that Shani Dev does not get angry with the devotees of Hanuman.
Shani Temple is a very beautiful temple with fine wooden work and kaularu roof. The temple has very elegant east-facing black stone idol of Shani Dev. The foundation stone of this temple was laid on February 27, 2010 while the inauguration ceremony of the temple was held on May 28, 2010. The special feature of this temple is that this temple was built in just 90 days.
Everyone is scared of Shani Dev. But Shani Dev is the ruler of karma and destroys our ego. Shani Dev has many names. The names of Shani Dev are Suryasut, Shanischar, Chhayasut, Grihraraj, Ravinandan, Chhayamartand and Mahakaya. Shani Dev always elevates life of those who do good deeds.
The main attraction of Shani temple is the deepotsav which is celebrated every Saturday evening. Thousands of devotees throng here every Saturday to witness this deepotsav. At the time of aarti, all the lights in the temple are switched off and the aarti of the god is performed in the light of oil lamps. The atmosphere at that time is very mesmerizing. Shani Amavasya, Shani Jayanti and Hanuman Jayanti are also celebrated in this temple. Devotional atmosphere, natural richness, peaceful environment and cleanliness all make our mind happy.
Oil, garlands and Shriphals are made available to all the devotees at the main entrance of temple for offering to Shani Dev and Maruti. This oil used for abhishek is properly recycled without wasting and mixed with the extracts of the herb and distributed as prasad to the devotees. The surroundings of this temple is very picturesque and peaceful. The temple premises have excellent arrangements for devotees to sit around. This temple is maintained very well by Shri Shani Mandir Trust Wagholi Phulare.
Shri Jaywantrao Naik has built a very beautiful Mani Bhavan to preserve the memory of his mother in the temple premises. This Mani Bhavan is on the left of the temple. Meditation can also be done in this Mani Bhavan in the presence of nature. Shri Naik has given the name of his mother Manibai to this building. A beautiful garden with various fruits and flowering plants has also been developed in the temple premises. We also get to see a very rare rudraksha tree in this garden. The canteen is run by the locals here for devotees who come from far away. Here you can taste authentic Maharashtrian delicacies like Jhunka Bhakri, Thalipith, Batata Vada, Puranpoli, Modak, Kharvas. A spacious hall is also built next to this canteen for social functions.
Temple opens at 7 am in morning and closes at 8:45 pm in night. Parking facility is available in the temple premises for private vehicles. But it is very crowded on Saturdays and Sundays.
Buses and rickshaws are available from Nallasopara station to reach Shani temple. The temple is located at a distance of 5 kms from Nallasopara railway station, 7-8 kms from Virar and 9 kms from Vasai. It is 12 kms from Vasai Phata and Nala Sopara Phata on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway
This Shani Temple in Nalasopara is visited by thousands of devotees and has gained popularity in recent years.