Shri Shanidev Temple Vadodara

Shri Shanidev’s temple is located in Vadodara city’s Wadi area in Gujarat state.The temple belived to be more than 260 years old temple. The temple has idol of Lord Shri Shanidev which is artistically carved from a single black stone. It is said that this is only idol of Lord Shri Shanidev where he is seen riding on the buffalo, in whole Gujarat.

Lord Shani is represented as the God associated with disciplined behaviour, hard work and karma. The God is also called Raviputra or Chayaputra as Hindu mythology refers to him as the son of the Sun God and Chaya Devi. Lord Shanidev is the brother of Yama and Lord of Justice.Moreover, Shani Dev is one of the Navagrahas or nine heavenly bodies in Hindu astrology.

Hindu scriptures visualise Lord Shani as a dark- complexioned deity with four arms having a bow, an arrow, a trident and an axe. He uses a crow as his mount. Some texts present him driving a chariot and the crow following him wherever he goes.

The uniqueness of this temple is
Father-son (Lord Suryadeva and Lord Shanideva alliance is seen in temple, where Lord Shri Shanidev is holding his father Suryanarayan in his hand.

Suryanarayana is the symbol of truth in Kali Yuga. As the sun rises the darkness is destroyed.
Accordingly, the faults of the devotees are destroyed only by the darshan of Shri Shanidev holding Suryanarayana in his hand.

Devotees offer him a lamp lit with mustard or sesame oil, especially on Saturdays, as Saturdays are dedicated to him.