Shani Jayanti 2024: Date, Rituals and Significance

Shani Jayanti 2024 Date: Thursday, June 6, 2024

Shani Jayanti, also known as Shani Amavasya, is a significant festival in the Hindu calendar. This year, it will be celebrated on Thursday, June 6, 2024.  It commemorates the birth anniversary of Lord Shani.

Shani Jayanti 2024 Date and Timings: 

Shanti Jayanti Rituals

During Shani Jayanti, devotees engage in various rituals to receive blessings from Lord Shani. The specific practices include:

• Fasting: On Shani Jayanti, devotees observe a day-long fast, refraining from eating or drinking from sunrise until sunset.
• Temple Visits: Visitors frequent Shani temples or Navgraha temples to offer their prayers. The Shani Shanti Puja is conducted with great devotion.
• Offerings: Devotees present black sesame seeds or mustard oil to Lord Shani, believing these offerings to be auspicious and conducive to receiving blessings.
• Havan and Yagya: Rituals such as havan (fire ceremony) and yagya (sacred fire ritual) are performed to propitiate Lord Shani.
• Recitation of Mantras: It is believed that reciting Shani mantras or Shani stotras can attract positive energy and provide protection.
• Charity: On this day, giving alms or making donations to the needy is regarded as a virtuous act.

The story behind Lord Shani’s birth highlights the significance of justice and karma associated with him. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shani is the son of Chhaya (the shadow of Surya Dev’s wife, Devi Saranyu) and Surya, the Sun God. Lord Shani’s dark complexion resulted from a gaze he cast upon Surya Dev for insulting his mother. Lord Shiva healed Surya Dev and blessed Lord Shani with powers to punish wrongdoer.

Shani Jayanti is of great religious, spiritual, and astrological importance to Hindus. It celebrates the birth of Lord Shani, who teaches vital life lessons through beneficial and adverse effects. The observance of Shani Jayanti is a path to self-discovery, enlightenment, and harmony with universal justice and karmic laws.

Want to experience the cultural richness of June?  Check Complete List of Festival in June 2024.