There’s a Village in India Where No Doors Have Locks—Here’s Why

There’s a Village in India Where No Doors Have Locks—Here’s Why (Image: Wikipedia)

Shani Shingnapur is a village in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, and no other village can be compared to it. The village is known to have centuries of tradition of devotion to Lord Shani, as a result of which they do not use doors or locks in their home, shops and even banks. This is a strange custom as it shows how much trust the community has in their deity and towards one another.

The tale of Shani Shingnapur is approximately 300 years old; the black stone, which is believed to be a self-manifestation of Lord Shani, was found in a riverbed. The idol was placed on an open platform rather than a temple by the villagers, as they thought that Lord Shani was directly guarding the village. This has seen residents construct doors and latchless homes since they believe that the deity will not allow theft and misfortune.

The peculiarity of the tradition is that it has been preserved in modern times. Crime in the village is low despite the number of visitors coming in every day. The locals think that whoever tries to steal something/is doomed to divine punishment or unlucky, which strengthens the honesty of the community. This group religion has made the village identify itself and earn a name for being one of the safest places in India.

The access to the village does not end at houses. The stores are open, the security of banks is minimal, and even the tourists have their guesthouses that are open to the practice of leaving the door unlocked. A government has made some attempts to implement new security systems, but the locals are attached to their ancient tradition, which they consider both spiritual and practical.

Shani Shingnapur too has turned into a great pilgrimage location. The followers go to the shrine and make prayers on Saturdays, which is considered to be an auspicious day of Lord Shani. Festivals and rituals bring thousands of people together, promoting local tourism and economy and also protecting the cultural peculiarities of the village.

Today, Shani Shingnapur is the representation of a social trust, community peace and unity. When in other areas, citizens are struggling with the rising issues of insecurity, this small village is still going strong on the values of integrity and loyalty; it is a sign of how traditions still have relevance in a contemporary world