Shani Jayanti

Shani Jayanti 

This year on June 6, the people of the Hindu faith will observe Shani Jayanti, which commemorates the birthday of Lord Shani, the Hindu god of Justice. According to Indian religious beliefs, Lord Shani was born in the Jyeshtha month, which is the third month, and also his birth date coincided with the new moon day.

Shani Jayanti - Thursday, June 6, 2024

Time Begins - 07:54 PM - June 5, 2024
Time Ends -   06:07 PM  - June 6, 2024 

Shani Jayanti

 https://bharatpractice.blogspot.com/2024/05/what-is-national-heritage-animal-of.html

Shani Jayanti, also known as Shani Amavasya, is a special Hindu festival that's all about Lord Shani, the God of Justice, and the planet Saturn in Hindu astrology. It happens on the Amavasya (new moon day) in the Hindu lunar month of Jyeshtha, usually falling in May or June according to the Gregorian calendar.

During Shani Jayanti, devotees seek blessings from Lord Shani to protect themselves from obstacles and misfortunes, and to lessen the impact of Saturn's influence in their lives. Many folks perform unique rituals, say prayers, and visit temples dedicated to Lord Shani on this day. 

Devotees engage in various rituals and practices on this auspicious day to honor and appease Lord Shani. Here are some detailed activities to observe Shani Jayanti:

Key Activities on Shani Jayanti

1. Fasting:

   • So, during this time, people who follow this tradition fast from sunrise to sunset. They only have water or light, and eat sattvic foods like fruits and milk. Some folks even take it a step further and go on a complete fast without any food or water.

2. Prayers and Pujas:

   • To honor Lord Shani, devotees perform special prayers. They will be chanting and singing hymns to the Satans, the Satanic hymns, and other prayers dedicated to Saturn. Shani Puja can also be done in a temple or at home. This includes the offering of mustard oil, black sesame seeds, blue flowers and However, you should put on black clothes whenever you do this."

3. Oil Abhishekam:

   • "Now, applying mustard oil to Shani idols or Shani Shilas is an important rite. This ritual oil bath, which is known as abhisheka, helps appease the minor malefic of Saturn and win the blessings of Lord Shanidev. Offering Donations"

4. Offering Donations:

   • On Shani Jayanti, charity is considered super auspicious. People donate black items like black clothes, black sesame seeds, iron, and mustard oil to those in need.
   • It's a common practice to feed animals like black dogs, crows, and cows as a way to please Shani Dev.

5. Lighting Lamps:

   • A crucial part of the ritual is lighting oil lamps filled with mustard oil in front of Shani idols or at home. This is believed to bring light into one’s life and keep darkness and negativity at bay.

6. Wearing Black Clothes:

   • When it comes to showing respect and devotion to Shani Dev, many people choose to wear black attire. Black is the color associated with this deity, and wearing it is seen as a way to honor and pay homage to Lord Shan.

7. Offering Neelanjana:

   • Another way to appease Lord Shani and counteract the negative influences of Saturn is by making a special offering known as Neelanjana. This offering is made using a mixture of black sesame seeds and mustard oil. It is believed that presenting Neelanjana to Lord Shani can help reduce the adverse effects of Saturn and bring about positive energies.

8. Reading Shani Mahatmya:

   • To better understand the significance of Lord Shani and seek his blessings for justice and discipline in life, devotees often read the Shani Mahatmya. This sacred text praises the virtues and powers of Lord Shani, providing insights into his importance and role in our lives.

9. Visiting Shani Temples:

   • It's quite common for devotees to embark on pilgrimages to renowned Shani temples, such as the famous Shani Shingnapur in Maharashtra. These temples hold special rituals and ceremonies that offer divine blessings and merit to those who participate. Paying a visit to these temples is seen as a way to seek the grace and favor of Lord Shani.

10. Observing Silence and Meditation:

• Some devotees choose to observe silence, also known as maun vrat, as a means of connecting with Shani Dev. They would be focusing their minds in this period on the attributes of Lord Shani including justice, discipline, and hard work to enable them to embrace those values in their lives as well as strive for personal growth and enlightenment.

https://bharatritualsandfestival.blogspot.com/2024/05/which-is-oldest-veda.html

Significance of Shani Jayanti

Shani Jayanti is a special day. On this day, devotees look forward to celebrating and seeking the protection and blessings of Lord Shani. By performing these actions, it is possible to minimize any bad luck or unjust circumstances resulting from Shani Dasha or Sade Sati on one’s astrological chart and thereby live a successful, well-coordinated, and dignified life.

Devotees, through adherence to these principles, not only exhibit respect towards Lord Shani but also gain inner strength, patience, and a sense of duty which synchronize them with cosmic principles of karma and justice represented by Shani Dev

The Hindu astrology holds that the Shani Jayanti holds significance as it is believed that in the life of a devotee Saturn which represents karma, discipline, justice, and hard labor in the life of an individual has a great impact. Hence by worshipping and presenting to Lord Shani for prayers, one can reduce bad karma emanating from the planet Saturn, thus becoming prosperous and healthy.

Shani Jayanti is a day when people fast, go to temples, worship, and engage in charitable activities to respect Shani Dev and implore for his divine mercy and security. This day calls for introspection – seeking forgiveness for previous indulgences and pledging to follow uprightness with austerity.

What To Do On Shani Jayanti

"On Shani Jayanti, people carry out several ceremonies to assuage Lord Shani so that they'll acquire his favor. The following are some of these ceremonies: 

Fast: Some people go on without eating anything throughout the whole day; others prefer having only fruits, milk, or just a very light meal during such times." Prayers and Pujas: They hold special prayers and pujas to call upon Lord Shani's blessings. They head over to Shani temples, chant Shani mantras, and say their prayers. The Shani Chalisa and Shani Stotra are pretty popular choices. Oil Abhishekam: One of the main rituals is all about anointing Shani idols or Shani Shilas (stones representing Lord Shani) with oil. They typically use mustard oil for this, symbolizing how they're calming down Shani's influence. Offering Donations: Charity is a big part of Shani Jayanti. People donate stuff like black clothes, black sesame seeds (til), iron, mustard oil, and food to those in need and to Brahmins. They also believe that feeding black dogs and crows brings good luck. Lighting Lamps: Numerous individuals light their homes with lamps. Mostly, they use mustard oil to light oil lamps. So they put these lamps either near their Shani god or near their homes' entrance. Wearing Black Clothes: Black is the color that's connected to Lord Shani. Lots of folks wear black clothes on Shani Jayanti as a way to show respect and devotion. Offering Neelanjana: They make this special mixture called Neelanjana using black sesame seeds and mustard oil and offer it to Lord Shani. They believe it calms him down and lessens any bad effects. Reading Shani Mahatmya: People can read the Shani Mahatmya, which is a scripture that tells them more about how the great and wonderful Shani recites. This enables them to understand various aspects of his significance enabling them to ask for his favor in life.

Visiting Shani Temples: Folks go to temples about Lord Shani, like the famous Shani Shingnapur Temple in Maharashtra. They take part in the special rituals that happen there. Observing Silence and Meditation: Some people even observe silence (maun vrat) and meditate on Shani's qualities of discipline, fairness, and hard work to bring those virtues into their own lives. By doing all these things, people hope to lessen the bad effects of Saturn, get Lord Shani's protection, and live a life that's disciplined and righteous.

https://bharatpractice.blogspot.com/2024/05/india-sri-lanka-relations.html

Frequently Ask Questions

What is Shani Jayanti?

Devotionally observing Shani Jayanti and practicing the rituals that are prescribed can reduce the bad effects of Saturn (Shani Dasha or Sade Sati ) in one's horoscope. It is considered to promote peace, prosperity, and protection from impediments and bad luck as well as inculcating virtues of justice, discipline, and hard work.

What about Shani Jayanti as a day of great importance?

Shani Jayanti is considered an auspicious day because it is believed that Lord Shani takes care of one’s karmic cycle, ensures justice, and instills discipline. People are convinced that this practice pleases Shani Maharaj, mitigating the adverse effects induced by Saturn and at the same time providing security and wealth.

What are some primary customs done on Shani Jayanti?

Some major customs are keeping fast, praying and giving puja to Lord Shani, conducting oil abhishekam (anointment) on Shani idols with mustard oil, donating black items to cows, feeding animals, and lighting oil lamps. Additionally, you should also wear black clothing as well as read the Shani Mahatmya on that day.

In what ways do the devotees benefit from observing Shani Jayanti?

Observing Shani Jayanti with dedication and carrying out the rituals that are suggested can relieve the adverse effects that Saturn (Shani Dasha or Sade Sati) brings on one’s horoscope. It is supposed to bring about calmness, and wealth as well as shielding from hurdles or bad lack and at the same time the setup of ethical standards like fairness, obedience, and industriousness.

What should not be eaten or done on Shani Jayanti?

It is recommended to avoid eating meat, drinking alcoholic beverages, or doing things that are wrong on Shani Jayanti. People should concentrate more on positive deeds like being kind to others and engaging in giving out their possessions without the expectation of any rewards since sanitation is one important virtue. This will allow them to get blessings from Lord Shani during this period and also respect him through spiritual undertakings.