How Can We Celebrate Shani Jayanti At Home?

Shani Jayanthi is dedicated to planet Shani, an important planet in Vedic astrology, and the day marks his birth anniversary. He is also popularly called ‘Shanishchara’. Saturday, the 7th day of the week, is dedicated to him. He rules the west direction. He is a karmic planet and is believed to reward and punish humans according to their deeds. Hindus believe that negative energies can be removed from one’s life, and they can avoid the punishments meted out by Lord Shani for their bad ‘karma’, if they pray to him on this auspicious day. Shani Jayanti 2021 is celebrated on the ‘Amavasya’ (new moon) of ‘Jyestha’ month. Lord Shani is associated with the crow, which represents a bad omen and harmful characteristics. Hindus worship Shani to avoid the adverse effects of sins they have committed. Exorcisms are usually performed by villagers on this day.

Invoke Saturn on His Birthday for Relief and Blessings

What is the origin of Shani Jayanti?

According to Hindu mythology, Shani is the son of Sun God or Surya and his second wife, Chaya. Surya was married to a beautiful lady called Sanjana, and they had a son named Yama (God of Death) and a daughter called Yami (the river Yamuna). Unable to bear the radiance of Surya, she left her shadow ‘Chaya’ behind to look after her husband and kids so that no one would know that she had left them. Chaya made Surya abandon his kids by Sanjana and later gave birth to Shani. Both Yama and Shani are responsible for punishing us for our evil deeds. While Shani punishes them while they are still alive, Yama punishes them in the afterlife.

Another story says that when Shani opened his eyes soon after his birth, the Sun went into eclipse, such was his power. Generally, Shani is depicted wearing black-colored garments, carrying a sword and two daggers. His vehicle is a crow.

One of the most malefic Doshas in a birth chart is the Shani Sade Sati Dosha. Shani Sade Sati means 7.5 years transit of Shani. If Saturn is not well-placed in the birth chart, then this Dosha may bring bad luck for 7.5 years in all aspects of life like finances, health, relationships, marital life, etc.

In Vedic Astrology, this is said to be a very troublesome time for the person who is going through it. He/she will face many problems during this time and experience huge financial losses, relationship problems, health problems, loss of social status, etc.

Shani is like a teacher who instills discipline in us so that we can succeed in life. After putting us through many hardships, he brings success. He makes us stronger and more resilient, having overcome some of the toughest challenges in life. People perform various Poojas to appease Shani. Shani Jayanti is considered an ideal day to appease him and invoke his blessings.
 
Rituals for Shani Jayanti Pooja:

• Worship Shani by observing a fast and performing appropriate rituals on this day.
• Wake up early in the morning and take a bath.
• Clean the praying area and create an idol of Shani using iron.
• Bathe the idol with mustard oil and sesame seeds. Offer black pepper, peanut oil, cloves, pickle, basil leaves, and black salt to Shani.
• Chant the Shani mantra “Om Shanishcharya Namah” 108 times.
• After the rituals are over, donate articles like black cloth, black ‘urad’ dal, black shoes, sesame seeds, black umbrella, mustard oil, etc., to the poor.
• Do not consume any meals all day and chant the holy mantra.
• Shani is the ‘Lord of Justice’ who gives good or adverse results to humans based on their deeds.

Shani Jayanthi 2021 is on June 10.