NDTV Imagin NDTV Imagine

Transcription

Shaani Shingnapur Story
Begins from 4th April
ONE HOUR SLOT every SATURDAY - the SHAANI DAY
On
NDTV Imagine
Beginning with a special one
one-hour episode on March 28,, the story of the
shrine of Shaani at Shingnapur in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra
will take viewers through a journey of the miracles that are associated with
the temple and the villagers who inhabit the neighborhood.
Thereafter Mahima Shaani Dev Ki will then continue its run on NDTV
Imagine as ONE HOUR SLOT every SATURDAY - the SHAANI DAY
From, 4th April between 8:00 to 9:00 pm – every Saturday night.
night
1 Page * |S h a a n i S h i n g n a p u r S t o r y - f r o m 4 t h A p r i l o n N D T V I m a g i n e
Having explained the importance of Shaani in Indian astrology in the
episodes that narrated the trials and tribulations faced by King Vikramaditya
when Shaani’s gaze fell upon him, the serial produced to tell the story of
Shaani’s birth and of his parents.
The mythology had to end with the crowning of Shaani as the Nyaya Ka
Devta / Dhand Ka Devta, or Lord of Justice / Punishment by his guru, Lord
Shiva. But Shaani as a planet is there for all time, a powerful presence in all
mortal lives tell the end of time.
“So we are now focusing on the present and the story of the temple of
Shaani in Shingnapur that millions of devotees visit everyday” says Producer
Prem Sagar.
The serial’s creative producer Shiv Sagar says “We visited the temple at
Shingnapur before the show began and I have personally experienced the
power.”
“It is going back to source for us now. Actually viewers who have been
following the serial regularly would be aware now why Shaani has the
reputation of being the most feared planet. We have shown his childhood
and the agony he experienced as a child as also the exceptional powers he
was blessed with. We have cleared the misconceptions about Shaani and
tried to portray him in the right perspective.”
“From now onwards it is the contemporary story of the divine presence of
Shaani in a village in Maharashtra and the miracles that have occurred”
continued the creative producer Shiv Sagar.
INTERVIEW WITH DAYASHANKAR PANDEY
In the interview done exclusively with Dayashankar Pandey, the versatile
actor who plays Shaanidev, he talks about his awe and respect for Shaani
and his experiences.
When Shiv Sagar, creative producer of Mahima Shaani Dev Ki, was scouting
for the right actor to play the title role of Shaanidev the name Dayashankar
Pandey was suggested to him. Shiv had not seen any of the films in which
Pandey had played notable character roles. But one look at the versatile
actor, when he presented himself at Shiv Sagar’s office and Shiv knew he
had found the right actor.
“I had heard that Dayashankar had played significant roles in Lagaan,
Swades, Ek Anjabee etc., but I hadn’t observed his work closely. But when
he stood before me and later when we did the full make-up and costume
auditioning I knew I had found my Shaanidev. When we showed the CD to
NDTV bosses, they were equally sure that he was Shaanidev. There was
something about him that instantly connected with our mental image of
Shaanidev” says Shiv Sagar
The UP born actor was signed at once, Dayashankar, like so many of us who
have read and heard about the powerful impact of Shaani in human lives,
was in awe at the very mention of the name Shaani.
“I asked myself how I will play Shaanidev. I knew so little about him and I
had never played a God in my career till then. In fact, even in my wildest
imagination I did not think that I would have to play Shaanidev some day”
smiles Dayashankar.
He received sufficient research material from the producers, Shiv Sagar and
his dad Prem Sagar. He poured over all the reading material sent to him. He
tried to find pictures of Shaanidev. He asked his friends who dabbled in
astrology about Shaanidev. Gradually he began to get into the character and
the serial Mahima Shaanidev Ki was ready to go on the floors with him as
the focal point, in the unfolding of the story of Vikramaditya who faced the
ordeal of his “Sade Satee” or the seven and half years of Saturn’s entry into
his regal life.
“I literally pumped confidence into myself when I faced the camera for the
curtain raiser and the initial episodes of the serial because I was interpreting
an abstract image. The get-up and the look I believed were right. It was the
first time television viewers would be seeing Shaanidev in human form.”
“To the great satisfaction of the producers, the channel and all of us who
made up the crew, the serial was an instant success. It did not take the usual
warming up period for this unique serial to make an impact” says Pandey
with gratitude to Shaanidev who has the power to make or mar lives.
Pandey certainly was thrilled but he was scared as well. He kept his fingers
crossed and hoped that the success and empathy of the soap would not
imprint him forever as Shaanidev in viewers’ mind “Nothing can be more
stagnating for an actor than being put on a pedestal and defied by the
audience. It had happened to many actors who played godly characters”
states Dayashankar
Does he not have a massive fan following among Shaani worshippers?
“Oh yes, but it is the screen image of Shaani that has got the overwhelming
following. In real life I look very different, so when I move around in places
of worship and public places nobody recognizes me as Shaanidev. I am
recognized by the characters I have played in films”.
How religious is he?
“I am as religious as any Indian can be. I was born in U.P. but I had my
education in Chennai. I have imbibed the best of North and South values”
What is his say about Shaanidev’s powerful position among the planets in
Indian astrology?
“I have been told that Shaanidev is very favorably placed in my chart and I
am sure this role in the serial is a gift he has bestowed on me. His
Krupadrishti has made me the first and the last choice of the Sagar Family
and the channel to play ‘Him’ in the serial that tells the world about his
importance and true characters. One fact I know about Shaanidev is that He
is a teacher. He teaches and disciplines the mighty and the weak to be
humble and honest.
How does he manage his film assignments and the work he has to put in
for Shaanidev?
“I am doing only one serial I have a few film assignments, and my schedules
don’t clash with the time allotted for the shooting of the serial. Three of my
films will be releasing this year. Delhi – 6 is due first, the other two “What is
your Rashee” of (Ashutosh Gowarikar) and “Rajnithi” (Prakash Jha) are
scheduled later this year. I look different in all of them. I am also waiting for
Jahnu Barua’s “Butterfly Chase” and Bobby Bedi’s “American Delight”. They
are splendid movies.
Did he come into Bollywood via theatre?
“I have done theatre but I can’t say that I entered Bollywood via theatre in
the real sense. I would say that I entered Bollywood as a Hindi cinema buff. I
breathed and lived cinema from my boyhood to youth. I idolized Amitabh
Bachchan and viewed his films umpteen times. So, when Apurva Lakhia cast
me in Ek Ajnabee it was a dream comes true. I pinched myself to believe
that I was standing in front of Amitabhji when I saw him on the sets”
MYTH SHINGNAPUR
Town without Doors
Shaani Shingnapur is situated in Nevasa taluka in Ahmednagar district,
in Maharashtra state. It is famous for the temple of Shaani, which is
visited by crores of worshippers seeking relief from the wrathful gaze of
Shaani. The village is known for its popular temple of Shaani, the Hindu
god of the planet (graha) Saturn.
Shingnapur is famous for the fact that no house in the village has doors,
despite this; no theft is reported in the village. Villagers believe that
god Shaani punishes anyone attempting theft and so they don’t have to
live behind shut doors or keep their valuables under lock and key.
THE TEMPLE OF SHAANI
A five and a half feet high black rock installed on a platform is
worshiped as God Shaani. A Trishul (trident) is placed along the side of
the rock; a Nandi is on the south side. In front are small images of Shiva
and Hanuman. The temple has maximum visitors on Amavasya (the
new moon day), believed to the most auspicious day to appease Lord
Shaani. The village holds a fair in honor of the deity on this day and a
bigger fair on new moon days that fall on Saturdays. A palanquin
procession of Shaani is taken out on the day of the fair.
The idol of God Shaani is a Swayambhu (self-appeared) idol. 350 years
ago, in Shingnapur village, it rained so heavily and incessantly that one
could not see ahead and the fields were submerged by flowing water.
Along with the weeds flowing in the flood waters, the stone statue of
God Shaani is believed to have come flowing.
There were three young men in the village that wasted their time and
spent their days fooling the villagers. They saw the black stone that had
been washed ashore. They began to wonder as to how such a big
boulder came floating all the way. They began to hit the boulder with
their sticks. And blood began trickling from the stone. What’s more
they could see an injury because of a big hurt to the stone by the
hitting. They were terrified. They ran and told the elders about what
they saw. Listening to it all, the elders also were stunned. The news of
the boulder spread far and wide like the wind. All people left their
homes and went to witness the strange occurrence. They stared and
stared and wondered what to do next. Soon the night began to set in.
They all returned to their homes after deciding that they would do the
next day. However, because of what they saw, they could not sleep all
night.
God Shaani appeared in a dream to one of the villagers and He told
them to lift him and install him in the village.
The very next day, the devotee told the villagers what he saw in the
dream. The people heard it and were stunned. Upon hearing what he
said, the people took a bullock cart and went to the spot where the idol
was. They even tried to lift the stone idol and place it in the cart, but
they were not successful. The idol would not budge a bit. They tried all
day, but the statue would not move at all from its place. In the end, the
people were sad and disillusioned that they could not get the statue
into the cart and they went back to their homes.
The very next day, the devotee told the villagers what he saw in
another dream.
God Shaani appeared in the dream of the same devotee and
pronounced that only a MAMA BHANJA - maternal uncle and nephew could lift Him. He told them also that He should be put in a bullock cart
which should be drawn by black bullocks that are related to each other
as MAMA BHANJA - maternal uncle and nephew.
When the villagers fulfilled all the conditions they managed to move
the stone statue to the appointed place.
A foundation was built by a devotee. Once, some of the devotees
started digging the ground to pull out the idol to re-erect a strong
foundation. The deeper they dug, the more they saw of the statue. And
it would not be dislodged. And then, all the villagers prayed to God
Shaani asking for his Divine directions about what to do next. One of
the devotees had a vision of God Shaani in which God Shaani said,
“Only erect a foundation. Do not try to move me or lift me.”
Therefore, they built three feet foundation on all the four sides of the
idol. So, today, as much of the idol of God Shaani we see, that much of
it is deep seated.
God Shaani stands in the temple unsheltered in the rain, sun, cold or
storm, without a roof, whenever the devotees tried their best to build a
roof, they did not succeed. And whenever someone tried, he faced
some loss or the other. God Shaani gives ‘darshan’ to his devotees at all
times in the temple that has no door and no roof. This is the only place
of its kind in India.
STORIES
In the northern direction of God Shaani’s idol, there was a neem tree.
The branches of this tree grew so long as to come over the idol. Or,
they would break and fall to the ground. But the special thing about it
was that as a result of the branches burning or breaking down, nobody
suffered in any way or incurred any loss. But the shade of the tree
never came on the idol. It is considered strange that, there is a tree but
no shade. Once, lightening struck this neem tree. No harm came to
anyone there, though the tree was burnt to its roots. The very next day,
the tree was lush and full of greenery.
According to Pandits and scholars, God Shaani punishes us only when
we do bad deeds. Otherwise, ‘He’ is our friend.
One should not go astray and commit theft or robbery, if ‘He’ is pleased
with the individual; ‘He’ will bless with prosperity, wealth, fame and
make life happy. Therefore, ‘He’ is our friend and not our enemy.
Since Shingnapur has a lot of fields, it is natural that there are
numerous snakes. But if anyone is bitten by a snake, he must be
brought to God Shaani. But the condition would be that, in the temple
he should be wearing black clothes. It is believed here that upon
bringing anyone bitten by a snake, the venom would go way and he will
become normal. He will be given only Shaani ‘Tirth’ here. No other
thing will be given. Only, the nearest relative of the person bitten by a
snake should bathe; dress in wet clothes and offer water to God Shaani.
It is said that one day thieves entered a house, committed theft but
when they were going out of the door with the booty, they went blind.
They could not see anything. In the morning, they were caught. In
another incident, thieves entered a house where money and gems
were kept in a pot. The thieves pulled down the pots and tried to
search them all, but they found nothing, though the money and jewelry
were there itself. They searched till morning, found nothing and were
caught.
STORY OF UDASI BABA
Baba came to the village as bala sanyasi who was suffering from disease
due to the wrath or curse of Shaanidev.
In those days there was no one to perform any pooja, abhishek,
archana and prayers to Shaani exclusively. That means there were no
one to guide what method or rituals to perform in the day, noon and
evenings. In the beginning Baba used to bring water either from the
panasa nala or from the well nearby and fruits from the trees and
plants grown in the nearby forests, after taking bath. He did all
abhishek, cleaned the idol with his dhoti and offered prayers and
archana with flowers and naivedyam. Whatever fruits he used to pluck
in the forest would form his afternoon meal, and on some days if a few
devotees were present after darshan of Shaani Dev, he used to share
the same with them. After that, he used to go round the Shingnapur
village to propagate Shri Shaani Maharaj Mahima to people and in the
evening after returning to Shingnapur he would again perform pooja,
archana, and go to sleep. This had become his routine work throughout
his life. And in this way he used to spend his life quite for some time,
his disease was cured without any other medicine or by a physician.
Shaani
Bhaghwan
Himself
being
BHAWAROGA
VAIDYA
(Dhanvantri/doctor) cured all his diseases.
The young sanyasi felt like returning to his native village Bodey Gauv,
but the divine decision was not that. When he was preparing to go back
all the villagers requested him not to leave, therefore he was in a
dilemma. As he was kept thinking what to do, very late in the night and
praying to ‘Him’ to show the way, he went to sleep around midnight. In
the early morning Bhaghwan Shaanidev gave darshan to him in a
dream, and told the young sanyasi, “Hey! sanyasi, I am very much
pleased by your services to me and my devotees, therefore, you don’t
go anywhere and continue to propagate my Mahima to the people
living in the surrounding villages of Shingnapur I will grace you with
mukti in the end”, with that Bhaghwan Shaani Dev disappeared.
He was called “Udasi Baba” People used to respect him as Poojari Baba
too. He lived by serving ‘Him’ and His devotees with devotion and
bhakti without any kind of expectation. He lived a full life up to the age
of 87 years. The people of Shingnapur built his Samadhi opposite to Shri
Shaanidev chaboothor.
True stories
Smt. Chandrabhaga Devi, narrates the story of her newly married
daughter Sakardevi Karale, from Shingve village of Pathardi Taluka,
which was her in-laws place, she had come to their home at
Shingnapur. Because she was newly married, she was wearing a lot of
jewelry. - On the same day, four unknown persons, seeming to be
beggars entered their house. They saw jewelry. On the same night, at
around 1.30, the same four persons came into their home to rob the
jewelry. They started fighting to take away the jewelry. To escape from
the robbers, the family escaped from them and went towards a house
100 metres away.
The robbers were blinded and could not see the family while the family
members could see the thieves.
As a result of this true story, perhaps the entire family is immersed in
the prayer of God Shaani. And so, the elder son of Smt. Chandrabhaga
Devi is now the chief of the Shri Shaneshwar Devasthan. As a result the
new chief is involved, day and night, in the service of the devotees and
people of the
The Story so far ……………………………….
The mysterious story of Shaanidev begins with the creation of the
cosmos and Creation itself. When Surya came into existence he was like
a ball of red hot fire. His heat was unbearable even for himself.
When Vishnu heard about the plight of Surya, Vishnu advised the
marriage of Surya with Sanghya, daughter of Vishwakarma. After the
marriage of Surya and Sanghya, the bride found the heat of Surya so
harsh and his radiance so blinding that she was unable to go near him
or even see him properly.
Sanghya had three children from Surya. They were Manu, Yam and
Yamuna. But she was sad and distressed that she could never be close
to her husband. To obtain the proximity to Surya she decided to
perform penance and she conjured her shadow, named Chhaya, to be a
proxy mother to her children and wife to her husband.
Chhaya also had to keep her distance from Surya and so he did not find
out the absence of Sanghya.
Chhaya bore a son from Surya. The child was dark – complexioned and
showed signs of extraordinary powers in infancy itself. Chhaya cared for
Sanghya’s children but she cared more for her own son, Shaani. This
resulted in frequent conflicts and animosity between Shaani and his
step brothers.
Shaani grew up with Sanghya’s children but he showed great mystical
powers and inspired awe in everybody around him.
One day, when Sanghya’s sons complained to Surya about Chhaya’s
partiality, Surya decided to find out why she was favoring Shaani so
much. He found out the truth that Chhaya was only a shadow of
Sanghya and Shaani was her son. He decided to go and find Sanghya
and restore her to his family. Surya then left quietly to find Sanghya.
According to the myth Shaani did not spare even his father Surya when
he became angry on finding out that his mother Chhaya had conjured
back into Sanghya to restore Sanghya to her rightful position as Surya’s
wife. In this battle by his Ku Drishti Shaani gave a Kusht Rog to his
father. Shaani was dismayed that his mother was only a substitute wife.
Before Shaani’s confrontation with his guru Lord Shiva, he saved
Gidhraj in a combat with Nagraj. In gratitude Gidhraj offered to be his
Vahan vehicle) for a lifetime.
The duel between Lord Shiva and Shaani, astride Gidhraj, ended with
Lord Shiva forgiving his student’s impudence and bestowing upon him
the status of Nyaya Devta also Dhand Devta and crowning him the
Dharma Atma among the planets.
Now that the disputes between him and the children of Sanghya were
settled, Shaani accepted the disappearance of his mother Chhaya who
had returned to Sanghya’s body. He settled down in Shaani Dham as
the Lord of Justice and punishment. But he had to come down to earth
in human form, as all Gods have done, in a mission to establish justice
and righteousness in Mrityulok where matters had deteriorated for
mankind in Kaliyug.
Shaani decided to come down to earth and reside in Shingnapur in
Maharashtra. Thus the story and history of Shingnapur in the
Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra became a vital part of the life story
of Shaani.

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