Shani Shingnapur shrine

Mahalaxmi temple

chief minister Devendra Fadnavis

religious destination

Siddhivinayak temple trust

Shirdi Sai Sansthan trust

A chief officer will be appointed to look into the temple’s day-to-day administration after the takeover

Chief minister says the shrine needs good facilities and management; temple trust to report to the law and judiciary department once the special legislation is created.The state government has announced its plan to take over theand create a special legislation for the temple on the lines of thein Kolhapur. The proposal will soon be tabled before the state cabinet for approval.Speaking to Mirror,said, “In the state Assembly, we had promised a law for transparency in the temple trust management. It’s a popularin India, so it requires facilities and management of that level.”However, spokesperson of the Shani Shingnapur trust, Anil Darandale, said that they were unaware of the new proposal.After the state government takes over the temple, a chief officer will be appointed to look into its day-to-day administration. While the temple trust will have its own staff, the state will appoint its own chairperson, deputy chairperson and trustees.As part of the proposal — like theand the– the Shani Shingnapur temple trust will have to report to the state law and judiciary department.While the principal secretary of law and judiciary department N Jamadar did not comment on the government’s plan, a senior officer said, “After the takeover, the government wants to have an Act to govern the temple. Not only will we build residential quarters for pilgrims, we will also develop the roads and provide infrastructure like the waiting hall for darshan. This will streamline facilities for pilgrims — especially on Saturdays when huge crowds throng the pilgrimage site.”



Shingnapur is located 70 km from Shirdi – the holy town dedicated to Sai Baba. In fact, many pilgrims who visit Shirdi also go to Shingnapur. At present, the Shani Shingnapur temple trust runs a 60-bed hospital, one goshala (shelter for cows), and provides food for Rs 20 per person, besides monetary aid to patients for surgeries. The trust has reportedly never faced any charges of corruption, but the government says that the takeover will facilitate better management.Former chief minister and Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan welcomed the state’s plan. “It is a good decision. The temple should not be left in the hands of pujaris and trust. A secular government employee must be appointed as head of the temple. But all these changes require legislation. The government can come up with a common law for all temples,” Chavan said.Recently, the Shani Shingnapur temple had run into trouble due to the ban on entry of women in the sanctum sanctorum. In 2016, on the occasion of Gudi Padwa, a group of women had tried to enter the prayer rooms and were stopped by the villagers. Finally, the group moved the High Court, following which the government facilitated the entry of women.