Shani Puja is dedicated to Sani Bhagavan – one among the Navgrahas. Sani is known as Saturn in English. Shani is feared by those people who believe in astrology as He is believed to create problems in horoscope. Shani Puja is done to escape from all troubles and bad times created by Sani. Here is a simple procedure to perform Shani Puja.
Shani Puja is done on Saturday or Shanivar.
Apart from puja, the person also fast from sunrise to sunset on Saturday.
Wake up early in the morning. After bathing wear black clothes. Offer prayers to Ganesha.
Use Til (Sesame) oil to light lamps on the day.
Worship a murti of Sani Bhagavan made of iron. If murti is not available, offer prayer in mind – or by meditating on a painting or picture of Shani.
Offer black sesame seeds (Til) to Shani.
Chant the Shani Gayatri Mantra - The mantra is
Aum Sanaischaraya Vidmahe,
Sooryaputraya Dheemahi,
Tanno Manda Prachodayat.
Aum Sanaischaraya Vidmahe,
Sooryaputraya Dheemahi,
Tanno Manda Prachodayat.
Meditate for few minutes.
Offer prayers to Hanuman. Offer Sindhur (if possible) and a banana to Hanuman.
You can visit Navgraha temple or Shani Temple or Hanuman Temple
If possible offer food to a hungry person.
To break fast after sunset, you can take rice mixed with black urad dal. You can also eat food made from Til. (This is flexible you eat any vegetarian food to break fast if black dal or til is no available).
Related
Hanuman and Shani - Why Hanuman Protects Shani devotees
Related
Hanuman and Shani - Why Hanuman Protects Shani devotees