Shani Jayanti 2026: Date, Timings, Puja Rituals & Significance

Shani Jayanti marks the birth anniversary of Lord Shani, the deity of Saturn, karma and justice. In 2026 it fell on Saturday, 16 May. When it falls on a Saturday, as it did in 2026, it coincides with Shani Amavasya.

Shani is the son of Surya (the Sun) and Chhaya. The lunar month depends on the calendar: North India’s Purnimanta calendar places the day in Jyeshtha, and the Amanta calendar used in South and West India places it in Vaishakha. The day is the same in both.

In North India’s Purnimanta calendar, Vat Savitri Vrat falls on the same day, and married women fast for their husbands’ well-being. In Maharashtra, Gujarat and the southern states it is observed on Jyeshtha Purnima, about 15 days later.

Some devotees keep fasting or Upvas on Shani Jayanti to please Lord Shani, and devotees also visit the Shani temples to get the blessings of Lord Shani.

Shani is regarded as the lord of justice, who rewards people according to their deeds. Tradition stresses honesty, discipline and service to the poor.

To worship and please Lord Shani, you can organize havan, pooja, and yagya on the day of Shani Jayanti.

The pandit performs the two most important ceremonies during Shani Jayanti: Shani Tailabhishekam and Shani Shanti Puja.

Pandits commonly perform Shani Tailabhishekam and Shani Shanti Puja, which devotees do to seek strength during difficult Saturn periods such as Sade Sati or Dhaiya. Sade Sati is a period of Saturn’s transit, not a dosha, and astrologers differ on its effects.

Shani Jayanti 2026 Date & Amavasya Tithi

• Shani Jayanti 2026 Date: Saturday, 16th May 2026
• Amavasya Date Start: 16th May 2026 at 05:11 AM.
• Amavasya date ends: 17th May 2026 at 01:30 AM (New Delhi, per Drik Panchang).

Story Of Celebrating Shani Jayanti

Lord Shani is the son of Lord Surya and his wife’s shadow, Devi Chaya, as per the ancient Hindu scriptures.

Devi Chaya is the shadow of Devi Sangya, who left her to take her place. Devi Sangya was not able to bear the heat and brightness of Lord Surya accroding to the Vishnu Purana and the Markandeya Purana. 

Legend says Chhaya was performing severe penance to Shiva when Shani was born, and his dark complexion is attributed to this.

Lord Surya used to belittle Chaaya because he doubted her purity due to Lord Shani’s dark skin.

According to legend, Lord Shani once went furious at Lord Surya’s taunts and cast a scorching glare onto him, causing him to burn and change the colour of his skin to black.

Lord Shiva then cleared Surya’s doubt and blessed Shani with authority to dispense justice.

Lord Shiva also gave Lord Shani tremendous power and authority to punish people for their wrongdoings and evil activities.

Significance Of Shani Jayanti 2026

The god of Saturn and Saturday is Lord Shani. According to celestial movements, Saturn is regarded as the planet that moves the slowest.

People are generally afraid of Saturn since it is said to have negative effects on locals’ lives. Nevertheless, this sluggish planet is the planet of karma.

It only grants victory to those who have endured penance, adversity, and struggle as well as worked hard, exhibited discipline, and made honest attempts in their lives.

It relies on an individual’s deeds in the past, whether they are lucky or prone to bad luck. Lord Shani, who is reasonable and equitable, rewards the locals with the effects of their own Karma.

Shani is also known as Shanaishchara, Sauri, Manda and Chhayasuta (Chhaya’s son), and is associated with the west direction.

Sade Sati is the roughly seven-and-a-half-year period when Saturn transits the 12th, 1st and 2nd signs from one’s Moon sign. Because Saturn takes about 29.5 years to circle the zodiac, most people experience it two or three times. Astrologers differ on its effects, and some see it as a period of discipline rather than only hardship. 

Yet, if you do good deeds, Lord Shani will bless you during this time, assisting you in prosperity and relieving you of your sufferings.

Hindus frequently worship Lord Shani to appease him and lessen his negative effects. Many devotees pray to Shani during Sade Sati, Dhaiya or Saturn dashas. 

Furthermore, fasting on Shani Jayanti and going to his temples blesses the Devotees of Lord Shani with luck.

How To Perform Shani Jayanti

People will celebrate Shani Jayanti 2026 on Saturday, 16th May. On this auspicious occasion, Many devotees also worship Lord Hanuman and Lord Shiva on this day. 

1. Devotees should take a shower in the morning, go to the Shani temple, and give Lord Shani dev Tailabhishekam.
2. In the Shani temple, people can also give donations to the needy.
3. As Lord Shani Dev is the lord of justice, radition places emphasis on honesty and on treating workers and the poor with kindness. 
4. Chant the Shani beej mantra ॐ प्रां प्रीं प्रौं सः शनैश्चराय नमः (Om Praam Preem Praum Sah Shanaishcharaya Namah), or the simpler ॐ शनैश्चराय नमः, 11 or 108 times.
5. Traditional donations include sesame or mustard oil, black sesame, black urad and iron items, according to your means.

To worship Lord Shani at home or in the temple, the native must take a bath in the early morning on Shani Jayanti. Lit pure oil lamps on either side of the Lord’s idol, and burned incense.

During the worship of Lord Shani, the native should chant the mantra in his mind, and the mantra is also a favourite of his:

नीलाञ्जनसमाभासं रविपुत्रं यमाग्रजम्। छायामार्तण्डसम्भूतं तं नमामि शनैश्चरम्॥
I bow to Shanaishchara, who shines like blue collyrium, son of the Sun, elder brother of Yama, born of Chhaya and Martanda (Surya).

Shani Jayanti 2026 Important Mantras

• Shani Beej Mantra

“ॐ प्रां प्रीं प्रौं सः शनैश्चराय नमः” 

• Maha Mantra

” Om nilanjana samabhasam | Ravi putram yamagrajam || Cahaya martanda sambhutam | Tam namami Shanescharam||”

Benefits Of Shani Jayanti

The bad influence of Lord Shani on devotees may cause sadness, dullness, laziness, conservativeness, failure, poverty, procrastination, and other inauspicious effects.

Hence, worshipping Lord Shani on the day of Shani Jayanti blesses the devotees and gives them many benefits:

• Relief from the negative effects of Saturn or the Shani Sade Sati cycle in the horoscope.
• A potent ritual called Shani Puja can solve any astrological issues brought on by Saturn.
• The native will find relief and calm after overcoming all the difficulties and bad luck.
• The Shani Puja lessens the effects of all your bad deeds. It offers pardon and consolation.
• Reduce Lord Shani’s sentence for past actions.
• Enhancements in all areas, including work, finances, and health.
• The Indigenous reap the benefits of their good deeds and receive a just reward for their labour.
• Individuals succeed in their activities in every area of life and accomplish their goals without encountering any difficulties.

Remedies for Relief From Shani Dosha

Devotees traditionally follow these practices during Saturn’s difficult periods:

The remedy could be to chant the Dasharathkrit Shani Stotra. Always respect the people and your parents; do not insult them.

Similarly, on Saturday, light a lamp with sesame oil. Sesame oil, Abhishek of Lord Shani.

Depending on the need, donate black urad, black sesame, or black gram. Fast on Saturdays and recite Shani Vrat Katha. Be active and avoid hurting others.

In addition to these, you should also recite the ten names of Lord Shani to fulfil your wish. In a verse, chant the name, using “Om” as a prefix and “Namah” as a suffix before every name.

The ten names of Lord Shani are Konastha, Pingala, Babhru, Krishna, Raudrantaka, Yama, Sauri, Shanichar, Mand, and Pippalad.

However, reciting these names daily helps to get rid of Shani dosha and Shani sade sati.

• You can chant the names: Om Konastha Namah:
• The pink beaver in the corner represents the black and awful Yama.
• The fig tree commends Sauri and Saturn for being slow.

Things To Remember On Shani Jayanti (Do’s and Don’ts)

Together with the dos, devotees should remember a few don’ts when celebrating Shani Jayanti.

Devotees should observe the day with piety and devotion. The following are some typical no-nos for Shani Jayanti 2026:

• On Shani Jayanti, devotees should refrain from eating anything non-vegetarian. On Shani Jayanti, people consider non-vegetarian food unclean and believe it may counteract the benefits of fasting.
• Also, locals should abstain from using tobacco and alcohol. It is impure and can counteract the advantages of the Shani Jayanti ceremonies and traditions.
• On Shani Jayanti, devotees should refrain from getting their hair and nails cut. That is unlucky and could provoke Lord Shani’s wrath.
• On Shani Jayanti, especially when Shani is at his strongest, it is unlucky to be present at fortunate occasions. On this day, devotees should avoid starting anything new or performing important chores.
• On Shani Jayanti, devotees should refrain from donning gold and silver as it is unlucky and could provoke Lord Shani’s wrath.
• On Shani Jayanti, avoid taking a nap throughout the day as well. Also, it is unlucky and might counteract the advantages of the rites and traditions practised throughout the day.

Conclusion

In Hinduism, Saturday is dedicated to Lord Shani. Shani Deva is thought to be the deity of Saturn. Saturn is said to have primarily negative impacts on its inhabitants.

As a result, everyone worships Lord Shani Dev on Shani Jayanti 2026 to appease him. Everyone worships and prays to Lord Shani Dev to eliminate the Shani Dosh from their horoscope.

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