Shri Shani Maharaj Temple Aali,Kapasan(Chittorgarh),Rajasthan
Shri Shani Maharaj Temple is located in the quiet rural village of Aali, near Kapasan in the Chittorgarh district of Rajasthan. The temple lies in the traditional Mewar region.The temple is believed to be around 150 years old. Over time, several renovations and improvements were made, but the original sanctity of the old shrine and the ancient idol of Shri Shani Maharaj remains preserved.
Deity Details
The presiding deity of the temple is Shri Shani Maharaj (Lord Shani Dev), the planetary god representing Saturn and known as the lord of karma, discipline, justice, and life lessons.
The black stone idol is considered highly powerful. Devotees offer mustard oil, black sesame, black cloth, and iron items to seek relief from life’s difficulties, Shani dosha, obstacles, delays, and karmic suffering.
The temple is especially known for its three sacred oil tanks (oil kunds). Devotees believe that the oil offered here has healing properties, particularly for skin diseases.
Architecture
The temple follows a simple and traditional Rajasthani village-style architecture.
The complex includes:
A spacious courtyard for gatherings and the annual fair
A sanctum housing the ancient black idol of Shani Dev
Three large oil kunds where the offered mustard oil is collected
History & Sthalapurana
According to local tradition, the origin of the Shri Shani Maharaj Temple at Aali goes back nearly 150 years, during the reign of the Mewar rulers. It is said that Maharana Udai Singh II was carrying an idol of Shani Dev in the howdah of his royal elephant while travelling through this region. When the procession reached the area around present-day Aali village, the idol mysteriously disappeared from the howdah without anyone noticing. The king searched everywhere but could not find the idol, and the incident was treated as a divine sign.
Some months later, villagers in Uchnar Khurd witnessed strange events in a field belonging to a farmer named Jotmal Jat. When they dug up a partially buried stone, they discovered it was the same missing idol of Shri Shani Maharaj. At that moment, an unknown saint appeared, guided them in lifting the idol reverently, and then vanished just as mysteriously. Devotees felt this was a direct sign from Shani Dev, confirming that he had chosen Aali as his sacred abode.
A second miracle associated with the temple are the three miraculous oil kunds. The mustard oil offered to Shani Dev is collected in these tanks. Devotees believe this oil cures skin ailments when applied with devotion. However, it is said that if someone attempts to sell the oil for profit, it loses its healing power and becomes thin like water. Villagers consider this a clear expression of Shani Maharaj’s nature — blessings for sincerity, but no grace for greed.
Over the years, the shrine grew in fame across the regions of Mewar, Marwar, and Malwa, and thousands of devotees started visiting the temple, especially during difficult phases of life such as Sade Sati, Ashtama Shani, or periods of continuous obstacles. Even today, people believe that sincere prayers at Aali bring quick relief from karmic troubles, protection from accidents, and blessings for steady progress. The annual fair held here attracts lakhs of devotees and keeps alive the age-old tradition of Shani Maharaj worship in Rajasthan.
Festivals
The temple celebrates Shani Jayanti with special poojas and oil abhishekam, attracting large crowds. The annual Aali Shani Mela is a major event where devotees offer oil and seek blessings. Shani Amavasya is observed with important rituals for dosha nivarana, and Saturdays are marked by regular oil offerings and steady devotee visits throughout the day.
