A unique Shani Temple is located at old Indore (juna Indore
area) in Madhya Pradesh. Unlike other Shani temples, the murti of Shani
Bhagavan worshipped here is not black but he wears Sindhoor Shringar. The Shani
murti worshipped here is of divine origin - Swayambhu.
The Shani murti is formed out of black stone but here He is
adorned with 16 shringar. Instead of sesame oil, Shani Bhagavan here is
anointed (Abhishek) with water and milk. He is also offered different kinds of
seasonal fruits.
In the morning, the murti (idol) of Shani Bhagavan is bathed
in water and milk. Then 16 different types of beauty process are performed. He
is then offered fragrant flowers and fruits. He wears ornaments, crown, and
costly, colorful and beautiful dresses.
During certain important dates in the temple like Shani Amavasya, Shani Jayanti etc, it takes
nearly 6 hours to get the murti ready for darshan.
The temple is believed to be more than 700 years old. The
rituals in the temple are similar to the one followed in Krishna temples in
North India. There is so much color, mirth, and happiness.
Usually, in Shani temples, everything is black and there are
no colorful offerings. The colorful dresses and the not regular offerings make
this Shani temple different.
Story the Unique Shani Temple
The next day morning the washerman got back his eyesight. He
then recognized the murti of Shani Bhagavan in the stone.
The worship f Shani Bhagavan began from the day.
There is a popular belief that all Shani related problems in
life would be solved after offering prayers in the temple.