Best Time to worship Shani Dev

Shani/Saturn is one of the Navagrahas (9 planets) in Vedic astrology. It is one of the critical Grahas due to the influence it has on human life and destiny. Shani is a slow-moving planet; hence, its effects, good or bad, will be experienced by us for a longer period when compared to the other Grahas. 

Shani is the son of Surya/Sun god and Chhaya. Many people see him as a malefic, but Shani is more of a teacher and disciplinarian. He puts us through a lot of hardship and misery, but it is to make better people out of us. He is the god of karma and justice who rewards and punishes us according to our karma or deeds. So those who do good deeds do not need to fear Shani. But people who hurt or harm others, indulge in dishonest and unethical acts, etc., will be taught some much-needed lessons by Shani Dev so that they can mend their ways and become better people. He has a transformative effect on people as he makes them relinquish the wrong path they were on and find the right path.

During Shani’s Sade Sati and Dhaiya periods, people are likely to endure a lot of hardships if they have done bad deeds in life. They can face money problems, ill health, marital problems, disputes, legal cases, loss of job, death of loved ones, etc. Such miseries are Shani’s way of exacting retribution for our mistakes and sins. It is not possible to escape the suffering Shani inflicts on us. But we can worship Shani and perform some remedies to alleviate the adverse effects to some extent. 
There are many ways to please Shani. One such method is to perform Shani Pooja. This ritual offers protection from the malefic effects of Shani and helps invoke his blessings. One can perform Shani Pooja in one’s home itself. Let us see how.

Pooja Samagri for Shani Pooja

1.    Idol or photo of Shani 
2.    Diya/oil lamp and oil/ghee.
3.    Incense sticks (agarbatti) and holder.
4.    Camphor.
5.    Flowers.
6.    Fruits.
7.    Sweets or Prasad.
8.    Black sesame seeds.
9.    Water.

10.  Panchamrit (a mixture of milk, yogurt, honey, sugar, and ghee).

Procedure for the Shani Pooja

1.    Before the Pooja begins, take a bath. Wear clean garments and clean the Pooja area.
2.      Keep the idol or image of Shani on a piece of clean cloth or platform.
3.      Light the incense sticks and diya or oil lamp. The light symbolizes the removal of darkness and ignorance.
4.     Offer some fresh flowers to Shani.
5.     Offer some fruits and sweets as Prasad. 
6.      Recite Shani Mantras to invoke Shani’s blessings. One is: “Om Sham Shanaischaraya Namaha.” 
7.     Take some water in your right hand. Sprinkle it around the idol or image of Shani as you recite the Mantra. This is a symbol of purification.
8.    Offer black sesame seeds to Shani while chanting the Mantras. Black sesame seeds are dear to Shani.
9.    Perform Aarti by circling the lit diya before the deity in a clockwise manner. While doing this, recite or sing an Aarti song or Mantra.
10.    Light some camphor and circle it before the deity. 
11.    Meditate for a while, focusing on Shani and offering prayers for protection and well-being.
12.    Once the Pooja is complete, share the Prasad (the fruits and sweets offered) with everyone present.
13.    When the Pooja ends, extinguish the lamp and the incense sticks. Clean up the Pooja area, as well.

The best time to worship Shani is daily or Saturday night at 9 pm.

Offerings for Shani on Saturday: Bhoga or Imarti made with black urad dal

Shani’s favorite food item: Black Gram khichdi, black sesame laddoos

Benefits of Worshipping Shani

• Worshipping Shani can reduce Shani's negative influence in the horoscope.
• It can mitigate the suffering that you face in your daily life.
• It helps invoke Shani’s blessings.
• Shani does not afflict people unnecessarily. What he gives us is what we deserve. Worshipping him can reduce the karmic liabilities that are responsible for your suffering.
• The karmic cycle is inescapable, but appeasing Shani reduces our troubles in life.