Shani Jayanti (25-May-2017)

Shani Jayanti is a festival celebrating the birth anniversary of Lord Shani. This day falls on the Amavasya (New moon day) of the Jyeshta month ( between May/June). It is a special day where all the rituals pertaining to the worship of Shani Bhagvan (Planet Saturn) are strictly adhered. The Shani Shingnapur Shaneshwara Mandir situated at Maharashtra is a prominent Shani temple in India. The Shani Jayanti falls on Thursday, the 25th of May in the current year 2017.

Who is Shani Dev

According to Hindu Mythology, Shani Bhagvan is the son of the Sun God Surya and his wife Chhaya. He is also the elder brother of Yama, the God of death. Shani Bhagvan is believed to reward or punish a person according to the deeds carried out by him/her in their lifetime. Shani Bhagvan is represented by the colour black and is seen sitting over a crow, his vehicle (Vahana). The deity is also seen holding a couple of daggers, a sword and a few arrows. It is a myth that crow symbolises inauspiciousness or bad luck. Shani Bhagwan is also worshipped to ward off supernatural beings and evil forces which include rituals like exorcism.

Radhika T V