BhaktiLoopShani Jayanti Puja
Shani Jayanti marks the birth anniversary of Lord Shani Dev, the deity representing the planet Saturn in Hindu astrology. Celebrated on the Amavasya (new moon day) of the Jyeshtha month in the Hindu calendar, this day is considered highly auspicious for performing specific rituals and prayers to alleviate the negative influences of Saturn and seek his blessings for justice, discipline, and success. Devotees observe fasts, offer specific items, and chant mantras to seek forgiveness for past misdeeds and ensure a smoother life path.
Purpose
To appease Lord Shani, mitigate the malefic effects of Shani Dosha, Sade Sati, and Dhaiya, seek blessings for discipline, justice, removal of obstacles, and overall well-being. It is believed to bring peace, prosperity, and reduce misfortunes caused by unfavorable planetary positions of Saturn.
Key Rituals
- Preparation:** Cleanse oneself by taking a bath. Wear clean, dark-colored clothes (preferably black or dark blue).
- Altar Setup:** Place an idol or picture of Lord Shani on a clean altar. A 'Shani Yantra' can also be placed. Light a lamp (deepak) with sesame oil.
- Sankalp (Intention):** Take a vow to perform the puja with devotion, stating the purpose (e.g., mitigating Shani Dosha, seeking blessings for a specific desire).
- Abhishekam:** Offerings of water, milk, and especially sesame (til) oil to the idol. Some also use Panchamrit (a mixture of milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar).
- Offerings (Prasad):** Offer black sesame seeds (til), black urad dal (black lentils), black cloth, iron articles (like nails, horseshoe), mustard oil, blue or dark flowers, incense sticks (dhoop), and sweets made from jaggery or black sesame.
- Mantra Chanting:** Recite Shani Mantras (like 'Om Sham Shanicharaya Namaha' or the Shani Gayatri Mantra) at least 108 times using a mala (rosary).
- Hanuman Chalisa:** Many devotees also recite Hanuman Chalisa, as Lord Hanuman's devotees are believed to be protected from Shani's ill effects.
- Aarti:** Conclude the puja by performing Aarti with a lit camphor or ghee lamp, circling it clockwise before the deity.
- Donations (Daan):** A crucial part of Shani Puja. Donate black sesame, sesame oil, black clothes, iron items, blankets, and food to the poor and needy, especially to brahmins or beggars, after the puja. Feeding crows is also considered auspicious.
- Fasting:** Many devotees observe a partial or full fast on this day, breaking it after sunset with sattvic food.
Common Offerings
Sesame Oil (Til Tel)
Black Sesame Seeds (Kala Til)
Black Urad Dal (Black Lentils)
Black or Dark Blue Clothes
Iron Articles (e.g., iron nail, horseshoe, ring)
Mustard Oil
Blue or Dark Flowers (e.g., cornflower, delphinium)
Incense Sticks (Dhoop)
Coconut
Sweets (made with jaggery or black sesame, known as 'Til Ladoo')
Kumkum and Chandan (Vermilion and Sandalwood paste for tilak)
Associated Mantras
Mantra 1
Mantra Text
Om Sham Shanicharaya Namaha
Meaning
Salutations to Lord Shani.
Benefits
This is the most common and powerful mantra for appeasing Lord Shani. Chanting it regularly helps to reduce the negative influences of Saturn and attracts his blessings for peace, prosperity, and stability.
Mantra 2
Mantra Text
Om Kaakadhwajaaya Vidmahe, Khadga Hastaaya Dheemahi, Tanno Mandah Prachodayaat.
Meaning
Om, Let us meditate on the one who has a crow in his flag, O, one who holds a sword in his hand, give us higher intellect, and let Sani Dev illuminate our mind.
Benefits
This is the Shani Gayatri Mantra. Chanting it invokes wisdom, divine guidance, and protection from Saturn's malefic effects, promoting spiritual growth and inner strength.
Mantra 3
Mantra Text
Neelanjanam Samabhasam, Raviputram Yamagrajam | Chaya Martanda Sambhutam, Tam Namami Shanaishcharam ||
Meaning
I bow to Lord Shani, who is blue-black in complexion, the son of the Sun god, the elder brother of Yama, and born of Chaya and Surya (Sun).
Benefits
This is a descriptive and reverential mantra, often used for daily devotion. Chanting it invokes Lord Shani's presence, seeks his benevolence, and acknowledges his divine lineage, fostering a deeper connection and receiving his blessings.
Auspicious Days
Shani Jayanti (Amavasya Tithi of Jyeshtha Month in the Hindu calendar, which typically falls in May or June)
Saturdays (considered the day of Lord Shani, highly auspicious for his worship year-round)
Regional Variations
While the core rituals and offerings for Shani Jayanti remain largely consistent across India, regional variations may include specific local temple traditions, additional traditional dishes as prasad, or slight differences in the sequence of prayers. In some parts, community feasts (Bhandara) are organized, and specific types of oil lamps might be used according to local customs. The emphasis on certain offerings (e.g., black gram vs. black sesame) might also vary slightly.
Related Pujas
Navagraha Puja (Puja performed for all nine planets, including Saturn, to balance planetary influences)
Hanuman Puja (Devotion to Lord Hanuman is widely believed to protect devotees from the adverse effects of Lord Shani, as Shani Dev promised Hanuman this boon)
Rudraabhishekam (Sometimes performed to Lord Shiva, as Shani is a staunch devotee of Shiva, and pleasing Shiva can indirectly mitigate Shani's harshness)
Pipal Tree Worship (Worshipping the Pipal tree, especially on Saturdays, is also associated with appeasing Lord Shani)