Shani Puja Vidhi (Saturdays)

In brief

Shani Dev is the deity linked with the planet Saturn. Tradition describes him as the son of Surya, the Sun, and Chhaya, the shadow, and as a strict but fair judge who gives each person the fruit of their actions. Many people see Shani as a teacher of patience, discipline, honesty and fairness, rather than as someone to fear.

Saturday, called Shanivar, is his day. The home puja is short and quiet: a lamp, a few simple offerings, a mantra, a prayer and an act of kindness. Astrology speaks of Saturn periods such as Sade Sati, but that is a matter of tradition and belief, and it is not a prediction for any person.

When to do it

Saturday is the main day. Families differ on the time. Some pray in the morning after a bath. Others pray in the evening, around twilight, after work. Choose a time you can keep.

Some people keep a Saturday fast. A common form is one simple vegetarian meal after sunset, without onion and garlic. Some also avoid salt. Fasting is a personal choice. People with health conditions, pregnant or nursing women, children and the elderly should follow their doctor's advice and may keep a lighter fast.

What you need

• A picture or idol of Shani Dev, or a dark stone (shila) if your family has one, on a clean cloth
• A lamp with sesame oil or mustard oil. Families use one or the other. A clay or iron lamp is common.
• Black sesame seeds
• Blue or dark flowers if you can find them, or any fresh flowers
• A little sesame or mustard oil in a small dish for the offering
• Incense
• Simple prasad, such as khichdi made with urad dal (black gram), a sesame sweet, or fruit

Puja vidhi (steps)

1. Bathe and wear clean clothes. Dark blue or black is common, but any clean clothes are fine.
2. Clean the space and set the picture or idol of Shani Dev on a clean cloth.
3. Light the lamp and incense. Hold a little water in your right palm and say in your own words that you are doing the puja with devotion. This is the sankalpa (spoken intention).
4. Bow to Ganesha first: "ॐ गणेशाय नमः" (Om Ganeshaya Namah).
5. Offer a few drops of water, then flowers at the feet of the image.
6. Offer a few black sesame seeds and a little oil in a dish. Do not pour oil over the image unless your family or temple does. Some temples have their own rules about who may do so.
7. Chant "ॐ शं शनैश्चराय नमः" (Om Sham Shanaishcharaya Namah). Say it 11 or 108 times on a mala (prayer beads), or a few times if you have little time. Ask a priest or elder to guide pronunciation.
8. Read the Shani Chalisa, the Dasharatha Shani Stotra, or the story of Shani Dev, or simply listen to it.
9. Place the prasad before the image as an offering (naivedya).
10. Sing the Shani aarti, moving the lamp slowly in a clockwise circle.
11. Bow, ask forgiveness for any mistake, and share the prasad.
12. Do one act of charity that day, such as giving food to someone in need or thanking someone who serves you.

Some families also pour water and light a small lamp at the base of a peepal tree on Saturday. Sources differ on the time of day and on the oil, so follow your family's custom.

Mantras and aarti

• Mantra: "Om Sham Shanaishcharaya Namah" is the simplest. Longer seed mantras and the Shani Gayatri are used by some families.
• Chalisa and stotra: the Shani Chalisa and the Dasharatha Shani Stotra are read by many.
• Aarti: "Jai Jai Shri Shanidev" is a widely sung Shani aarti.
• Namavali: the 108 names of Shani.

The full texts are on their own pages.

Doing it in the USA

Sesame oil, black sesame, urad dal and clay lamps are sold at Indian grocery stores. Mustard oil has a strong smell, so many apartment dwellers prefer sesame oil. If you cannot find blue flowers, any fresh flowers are acceptable.

Check your lease and smoke alarm before lighting a lamp or incense. Put the lamp on a steel plate, away from curtains, and use an electric lamp if open flames are not allowed. Wipe spilled oil right away, since it stains.

Saturday is often free in the USA, so you can do the puja at any time. If you pray in the evening, use your own city's sunset time. Peepal trees are rare in America, so skip that custom if you have no access to one. For charity, a food bank, a temple kitchen or a neighbor in need is a good choice.