Introduction:

If you are a believer in Indian astrology, you may have heard of the deity Shani Dev. Shani Dev is a stern and strict deity, but also one who brings justice and balance to our lives. Worshipping him wards off negative influences and brings about positive changes in our lives. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of this puja and how it can benefit you.

History of Shani Dev Puja:

The worship of Shani Dev has been an important part of Indian astrology for centuries. This puja can be traced back to ancient times when Vedic astrology was developed. In Hindu mythology, Shani Dev is the son of the Sun God, Surya, and his wife Chhaya. He was born with a dark complexion, which caused his father to reject him. As a result, he developed a stern and strict personality.

Shani Dev brings justice and balance to the universe. His influence affects various aspects of our lives, such as careers, finance, and relationships. When Saturn is in a favourable position in our birth chart, we experience prosperity and success. However, when Saturn is in an unfavourable position, we may face challenges and obstacles.

In ancient times, people believed that Saturn’s negative influence could cause various problems in their lives, such as financial troubles, career obstacles, and relationship issues. To mitigate the negative effects of Saturn’s influence, people began to perform this puja. The rituals involved in this puja have evolved over time, but the core essence remains the same – seeking the blessings of Shani Dev and mitigating the negative effects of Saturn’s influence.

The puja is performed by offering prayers and offerings to the deity, such as black sesame seeds, mustard oil, and black cloth. Devotees may also offer flowers, sweets, and fruits as offerings. The importance of this puja is emphasized in various Hindu texts, such as the Puranas and the Mahabharata.

In these texts, Shani Dev is often portrayed as a strict but just deity who punishes those who have done wrong and rewards those who have done well. In modern times, this puja continues to be an important ritual in Indian astrology. Many people perform puja to seek the blessings of Shani Dev and improve their lives. The puja is often performed on Saturdays, which is considered to be the day of Saturn.

Significance of Shani Dev Puja:

The Shani Dev puja is a significant ritual in Indian astrology and brings spiritual and practical benefits to those who perform it. Perform this puja to seek the blessings of Shani Dev, who brings bring justice and balance to our lives. The significance of the puja lies in its ability to mitigate the negative effects of Saturn’s influence on our lives.

Saturn’s negative influence can cause problems in various aspects of our lives, such as careers, finance, and relationships. This puja appeases Saturn and mitigates the negative effects of its influence, leading to improved outcomes in these areas of our lives.

Another significance of the puja lies in its ability to provide spiritual benefits to the devotee. Shani Dev is a strict but just deity, and performing the puja with devotion and sincerity brings spiritual growth and enlightenment. The puja is performed on Saturdays, which is the day of Saturn which enhances the spiritual benefits of the ritual.

The puja is also significant in providing practical benefits to the devotee. For instance, performing puja is believed to help in overcoming obstacles and challenges in one’s life. It also brings financial stability and success in one’s career. In addition, the puja strengthens relationships and brings harmony to family life.

Benefits of performing Shani Dev Puja:

Its believed that performing this puja brings a host of benefits to the devotee. Also, both in terms of spiritual growth and practical outcomes. Some of the benefits of performing this puja are mentioned below:

Mitigates the negative effects of Saturn’s influence:

Performing this puja is believed to appease Saturn and mitigate the negative effects of its influence, leading to improved outcomes in these areas of our lives.

Brings financial stability:

This puja is believed to bring financial stability and success to the devotee. This is because Saturn is associated with financial discipline and responsibility.

Helps in overcoming obstacles:

Saturn is associated with hard work and perseverance, and performing the puja can help one develop these qualities, which can be beneficial in overcoming challenges.

Brings career success:

Saturn is also associated with career and profession. Performing this puja is believed to bring success and stability to one’s career.

Enhances family relationships:

Saturn is associated with discipline and responsibility, and performing the puja can help one develop these qualities, leading to improved family relationships.

Brings spiritual growth:

Finally, performing the puja with devotion and sincerity is believed to bring spiritual growth and enlightenment to the devotee.

Required Samagri and their cost for Shani Dev Puja:

Samagri	Quantity	Approximate Cost (INR)
Black sesame seeds	250 grams	20 – 30
Black cloth or shawl	1 piece	200 – 300
Black gram	250 grams	20 – 30
Mustard oil	1 litre	100 – 150
Black lentils	250 grams	20 – 30
Iron pot	1 piece	500 – 700
Iron ring or horseshoe	1 piece	100 – 200
Blue flowers	1 bunch	50 – 100
Incense sticks	1 pack	20 – 30
Camphor	1 packet	20 – 30
Diya (lamp)	1 piece	50 – 100
Jaggery	250 grams	20 – 30
Coconut	1 piece	20 – 30
Dry fruits	250 grams	100 – 150
Rice	250 grams	20 – 30
Betel leaves and nuts	5 each	10 – 20

 

Vidhis involved in performing Shani Dev Puja:

Choose the right time:

It’s important to perform the puja at the right time. Saturday is the most auspicious day for performing this Puja. The best time to perform the puja is during the early morning or evening hours.

Set up the altar:

Choose a clean and quiet place for the puja. Cover the altar with a black cloth or shawl. Place an iron pot on the altar and fill it with water. Add black sesame seeds and black gram to the water.

Light the diya and incense:

Light the diya (lamp) and the incense sticks. Place that in front of him and recite the Shani Dev mantra.

Offer prasad:

Offer jaggery, dry fruits, and coconut to him. Also, recite the Shani Dev mantra while offering the Prasad.

Offer Oil:

Offering oil to Shani Dev is considered auspicious as it is said to please him.

Perform aarti:

Perform aarti by lighting a camphor and moving it in a circular motion in front of Shani Dev’s idol or picture. Recite the Shani Dev mantra while performing the aarti.

Offer an iron ring or horseshoe:

Offer an iron ring or horseshoe to him. It’s believed that iron is a metal associated with Saturn and offering it to Shani Dev can please him.

Recite Shani Dev mantra:

Recite the Shani Dev mantra during the puja. The most popular Shani Dev mantra is “Om Sham Shanicharaya Namah”. Chant it with devotion and sincerity.

Donate black items:

Lastly, It’s auspicious to donate black items to the needy after the puja. You can donate black clothes, black gram, black lentils, or other black items.

 

Conclusion:

In conclusion, this Puja is an important ritual in the Hindu religion, dedicated to the worship of Lord Shani, who is considered to be the deity of justice, discipline, and karma. By performing the puja with devotion and sincerity, one can seek the blessings of Lord Shani and mitigate the negative effects of Saturn’s influence in their life.

The puja requires certain samagri and involves following certain vidhis, which can vary based on the region and tradition. However, the essence of the puja remains the same – to seek the blessings of Lord Shani and to purify the mind and body. By performing puja regularly, one can gain the strength to face the challenges of life and lead a happy and fulfilling life.

FAQs

Q. What is the importance of performing Shani Dev Puja?
A. Performing this Puja is believed to bring relief from the negative effects of Saturn and bring good luck, prosperity, and success in life.

Q. Can anyone perform Shani Dev Puja?
A. Yes, anyone can perform this Puja regardless of their gender, age, or caste. The only requirement is to perform the puja with devotion and sincerity.

Q. What is the ideal time to perform Shani Dev Puja?
A. Saturday is considered the most auspicious day for performing this Puja. The best time to perform the puja is during the early morning or evening hours.

Q. What are the benefits of performing Shani Dev Puja?
A. Performing this Puja can bring relief from the negative effects of Saturn, mitigate the malefic effects of Saturn, and bring good luck, prosperity, and success in life.

Q. What is the cost of performing Shani Dev Puja?
A. The cost of performing this Puja may vary based on the location, the pandit’s fees, and the cost of samagri. The cost of samagri can range from a few hundred to a few thousand rupees, depending on the quality and availability of the items.