As per the Hindu calendar, Shani Jayanti, also known as Shani Amavasya, is an essential festival celebrating the birth anniversary of Lord Shani, the god of justice and a significant planet in Vedic astrology. Shani Jayanti falls on the Amavasya (new moon day) in the month of Jyeshtha, which usually corresponds to the months of May or June in the Gregorian calendar. This auspicious day is observed with great fervor and devotion by millions of devotees across India and around the world.
Shani, represented as a dark-colored deity riding a vulture or a crow, is considered the personification of planet Saturn and is believed to influence our lives, karma (actions), and destiny. The planet Saturn is associated with discipline, hard work, justice, responsibility, and the effects of past actions (karma phala). Devotees pray to Lord Shani to seek his blessings for protection against malefic influences, relief from obstacles and hardships, and to gain strength to overcome challenges in life.
Significance of Shani Jayanti
Shani Jayanti is an opportune time for devotees to appease Lord Shani and seek his benevolence. It is believed that worshipping Lord Shani on this day can mitigate the adverse effects of Shani dosha (Saturn’s malefic influence) in one’s birth chart and bring about positive changes in one’s life. Devotees perform various rituals, prayers, and offerings to seek the planet Saturn’s blessings and alleviate any afflictions caused by its adverse positioning in one’s astrological chart.
Rituals and Traditions
On the auspicious occasion of Shani Jayanti, devotees wake up early, take a ritual bath, and wear black or dark blue clothes, as these are considered auspicious colors for Lord Shani. People visit Lord Shani temples, offer prayers, light oil lamps, and incense sticks, and make offerings of black sesame seeds, black urad dal (black gram), mustard oil, black clothes, iron items, and black gram. These offerings are believed to please Lord Shani and help in pacifying the effects of Saturn in one’s life.
Mantras and Chants
Devotees chant mantras and hymns dedicated to Lord Shani to seek his blessings and protection. The following mantra is commonly recited on Shani Jayanti to invoke Lord Shani’s grace:
“Om Sham Shanaishcharaye Namah”
Reciting this mantra with sincerity and devotion is believed to appease Lord Shani and alleviate any negative influences of Saturn in one’s life.
Remedies for Shani Dosha
Shani Dosha is believed to bring about various challenges, obstacles, delays, and hardships in one’s life. To mitigate the effects of Shani Dosha, individuals can perform certain remedies and propitiate Lord Shani on Shani Jayanti:
-
Visit Lord Shani Temples: Visiting temples dedicated to Lord Shani, such as the famous Shani Shingnapur in Maharashtra, can help in seeking his blessings and protection.
-
Charity and Service: Donating black clothes, sesame seeds, mustard oil, black lentils, iron items, or performing acts of charity and service are considered beneficial remedies for pleasing Lord Shani.
-
Recitation of Shani Mantras: Regularly chanting mantras dedicated to Lord Shani, such as the Shani Beej mantra or the Dasharatha Shani Stotra, can help in reducing the malefic effects of Saturn.
-
Wearing Black: Wearing black or dark blue clothes on Saturdays, the day dedicated to Lord Shani, is believed to ward off negative energies and appease the planet Saturn.
-
Seeking Blessings of Elders: Respecting and seeking the blessings of elderly individuals, especially on Shani Jayanti, is considered auspicious and can help in reducing the effects of Shani Dosha.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is Shani Jayanti and why is it celebrated?
Shani Jayanti is the auspicious festival celebrating the birth anniversary of Lord Shani, the god of justice and planet Saturn. It is observed to seek Lord Shani’s blessings, alleviate the effects of Shani Dosha, and overcome obstacles in life.
- When does Shani Jayanti usually occur?
Shani Jayanti falls on the Amavasya (new moon day) in the month of Jyeshtha, which generally corresponds to May or June in the Gregorian calendar.
- How can one appease Lord Shani on Shani Jayanti?
Devotees can appease Lord Shani on Shani Jayanti by visiting temples dedicated to Lord Shani, performing rituals, making offerings of black sesame seeds, urad dal, mustard oil, black clothes, and chanting mantras dedicated to Saturn.
- What are the common remedies for Shani Dosha?
Common remedies for Shani Dosha include wearing black or dark blue clothes on Saturdays, donating black items, performing acts of charity, reciting Shani mantras, and seeking blessings from elders.
- Which are the famous temples dedicated to Lord Shani in India?
Some of the famous temples dedicated to Lord Shani in India include Shani Shingnapur in Maharashtra, Shani Dham in New Delhi, Shree Shaneshwar Temple in Shani Shinganapur, and Shri Shani Mandir in Amritsar.
Observing Shani Jayanti with devotion, faith, and sincerity is believed to bring blessings, protection, and prosperity into one’s life. By performing the prescribed rituals, chanting mantras, and seeking Lord Shani’s grace, devotees can mitigate the adverse effects of Saturn and lead a harmonious and successful life.