Route : Shirdi ► Shanidev ► Kolhar Devi ► Upasani Baba
Shani Shingnapur also known as Sonai is a village in the Indian state of Maharashtra.
Situated in Nevasa taluka in Ahmednagar district, the village is known for its popular temple of Shani,
the Hindu god associated with the planet (graha) Saturn. Shingnapur is 35 km from Ahmednagar city.
When Prabhu Shriram (Lord Ram) was going to Panchavati (Nasik) with brother Lakshman and wife Sitamai for 14 years dwelling in forest, they stayed on the bank of river. He made pinda (Statue of Lord Mahadev) with river sand and installed in the temple as kolhaleshwar. According to experts due to pronuciation of ko-lha-le-shwar this village got a name Shri Kolhar. On the same place Shri Bhagwati Mata appeared and illustrated Prabhu Ramchandra with blessings to put and end of evils/ devils. Due to the touch of purified steps of Shri Bhagwatimata, this place got the name 'Bhagwatipur'.
An explanation about the role and greatness of Shri Sai of Shirdi would remain incomplete without the understanding of the life of Kashinath Govind Upasani Sastri, who later came to be known as ‘Shri Upasani Maharaj’. Shri Sai's deeds and life was full of miracles, but the greatest miracle was His creation of this once inconsequential person to the status of a Sadguru within a period of four years!
