SHANI DEV (SHANI SHINGNAPUR)

JAI SHANI DEV

WHO IS SHANI DEV?

There are many gods in our Hindu religion but lord Shani dev is different from them. He has immense power, appeased toward off, evil eye etc. Saturday is the day which is devoted to Lord Shani Dev. Traditionally God Shani Dev is depicted in Hindu mythology as extremely dark wearing black clothes and mounted on a vulture. The basic mantra of Shani dev is “Om Sham Shanaiscaryaye Namah.”

Lord Shani Dev who is the son of Surya Dev (Sun) and Chhaya (Suvarna) is also known as one of the nine “Navagraha” by Hindu belief. Lord Shani Dev have a seventh place among these nine planets which govern our lives. Another name of Shani dev is Shanaiscarya, Asita, Saptarchi, Kruralochana, Pangu, etc. The birth place of Lord Shani Dev is Saurashtra, Gujarat. Hindu people believe that he is the god causing miseries in the life of a human being. So, Lord Shani Dev occupies the principal position among the Hindu’s God.

Lord Shani Dev is the brother of Yama Dev (deity of death) and is believed to be responsible for punishing or rewarding to the people one in the lifetime in accordance with their 'karma'. He has also a power of making a king into a pauper as well as changing the fortunes of a sufferer. Shani Dev is a great devotee of Lord Shiva because Lord Shiva is Guru of Shani Dev and hence those who wish to appease him pray to Lord Shiva along with him.

There are few shrines in India of shani Dev. The most important ones is in Maharashtra at Shingnapur which is famous with named Shani-Shingnapur, another is Shree Sahneeshwarar at Nerul Mumbai, and Shanidham at Mehrauli Delhi, etc.
In Vedic astrology, it is believed that if Shani is placed in a favorable position for you, no one can bestow more wealth and success than Lord Shani.

Shani Chalisa

DOHA

Jai Ganesh Girija Suwan, Mangal karan kripaal.

Deenan ke Dhuk dhoor kari, Kheejai Naath Nihaal.

JaiJai SriShanidev Prabhu, Sunahu Vinay Maharaaj.

Karahu Kruia hey Ravitanay, Rakhahu Jan ki Laaj.

Jayathi jayathi shani dayaala, karath sadha bhakthan prathipaala.

Chaari bhuja, thanu shyam viraajay, maathey ratan mukut chavi chaajay.

Param vishaal manohar bhaala, tedi dhrishti bhrukuti vikraala.

Kundal shravan chamaacham chamke, hiye maal mukthan mani dhamkay.

Kar me gadha thrishul kutaara, pal bich karai arihi samhaara.

Pinghal, krishno, chaaya, nandhan, yum, konasth, raudra, dhuk bhamjan.

Sauri, mandh shani, dhasha naama, bhanu puthra poojhin sab kaama.

Jaapar prabu prasan havain jhaahin, rakhhun raav karai shan maahin.

Parvathhu thrun hoi nihaarath, thrunhu ko parvath kari daarath.

Raaj milath ban raamhin dheenhyo, kaikeyihu ki mathi hari linhiyo.

Banhu mae mrag kapat dhikaayi, maathu Janki gayi chooraayi.

Lakanhin shakthi vikal kari daara, machiga dhal mae haahaakaar.

Raavan ki ghathi-mathi bauraayi, Ramchandra so bair badaayi.

Dheeyo keet kari kanchan Lanka, baji bajarang beer ki danka.

Nrip vikram par thuhin pagu dhaara, chitra mayur nigli gai haara.

Haar naulakka laagyo chori, haath pair darvaayo thori.

Bhaari dhasha nikrusht dhikaayo, telhin ghar kholhu chalvaayo.

Vinay raag dheepak mah khinho, tab prasann prabhu hvai sukh dheenho.

Harishchandra nrip naari bhikani, aaphun bharen dome gar paani.

Tasse nal par dasha sirani, bhunji-meen koodh gayi paani.

Sri Shankarhin gahyo jab jaayi, Paarvathi ko sathi karaayi.

Thanik vilokath hi kari reesa, nabh udi gayo gaurisuth seesa.

Paandav par bhay dasha thumhaari, bachi draupadhi hothi udhaari.

Kaurav ke bi gathi mathi maaryo, yudh mahabharath kari daryo.

Ravi kah mukh mahn dhari thathkala, lekar koodhi paryo paathaala.

Saish dhev-lakhi vinthi laayi, Ravi ko mukh thay dhiyo chudaayi.

Vaahan prabhu kay saah sujana, jag dhigaj gadharbh mragh swaana.

Jambuk singh aadhi nakh dhari, so phal jyothish kahath pukari.

Gaj vahan lakshmi gruha aavai, hay thay sukh sampathi upjaavay.

Gadharbh haani karai bahu kaaja, singh sidh kar raaj samaja.

Jhambuk budhi nasht kar darai, mrag dhe kasht praan sangharay.

Jab aavahi prabu swaan savaari, chori aadi hoy dar bhaari.

Thaishi chaari charan yeh naama, swarn laoh chaandhi aru taama.

Lauh charan par jab prabu aavain, daan jan sampathi nashta karavain.

Samatha thaamra rajath shubhkari, swarn sarva sukh mangal bhaari.

Jo yeh shani charithra nith gavai, kabahu na dasha nikrushta sathavai.

Adhbuth nath dhikavain leela, karaen shaatru kay nashi bhali dheela.

Jo pundith suyogya bulvaayi, vidhyvath shani graha shanti karayi.

Peepal jal shani diwas chadavath, deep dhaan dai bahu sukh pawath.

Kahath Ram Sundhar prabu dasa, Shani sumirath sukh hoth prakasha.

DOHA

Paath Shanichar Dev ko,

ko hoon Vimal Taiyaar.

Karat Paath Chalis Din,

ho Bhav Sagar Paar.

In Shani-Shingnapur, everyday, a lot of devotees come for a Darshan of God Shani Dev from all over India & other country. On every Saturday, countless devotees come and take advantage from the Darshan. The most important festival in Shani Shingnapur is Aashadi Ekadashi, Gudi Padava, Shani Jayanti, Shani Amavasya etc.

Aashadi Ekadashi - Palkhi (palanquin) Festival :
In 1991 AD one festival was started i.e. “Aashadi Ekadashi”. Then, Aashadi Ekadashi of every year, from Shani Shingnapur to Pandharpur, Shaneshwar Palkhi (palanquin) is taken on foot with great celebration. All the trustees’ member and devotees are participate in this Yatra.

Gudi Padava - special festival in Shani Shingnapur :
In Maharastra, Gudi Padava is celebrated as the New Year day by Maharashtrians. Another name of Gudi Padava is ‘Chaitra Shukla Pratipada’. Gudi Padava is celebrated on the first day of the Chaitra month of the Indian Calendar. So, devotees seeking relief from their woes, seek to take the ‘Darshan’ of God Shani Dev on this day. This festival is celebrated In Shani Shingnapur village also.
The ‘Ganga Jal’ (holy water) is brought by the devotees of the Shingnapur village in pots on bare foot. At least one person from every household participates in this festival. After bringing the Ganga Jal, the devotees stop outside the village. Next morning, they collect grain & with the flag and chanting the devotees are brought into the village. Then God Shani is bathed in the ‘Ganga Jal’. While bathing no body is allowed to step on the temple. After this, those seeking vows present the prasad to other devotees.

Shani Jayanti - Birth day of God Shanidev :
Shani Jayanti is considered as the birth day of God Shanidev. This day comes on Vaishak Vadya Chaturdasi Amavasya (In May Month). In Shani Shingnapur, Shri Shaneshchar Jayanti is celebrated with great gusto and devotion. On this Great occasion, the god appears blue in colour and seven days of ‘bhajan- pravachan’ and ‘kirtan’ and Five days of ‘yagya (homa)’ are also held in the sweltering heat of May. On this day, The “Laghurudraabhishekh” is performed by resident priest (pandit). This abhishekh goes on for 12 hours. With the ‘Maha Puja’, the function comes to an end.
In the beginning of day, the deity is cleaned with Panchamrut, Gangajal, oil and water from the wells near by the deity. After the bath, the ‘Nauratnahaar’ is placed on the idol.
On this day, Shani yagya is conducted by those people who have the Saturn/Shani cycle or Sade sathi in their horoscope. Many believe that Saturn cycle can be a reason for the bad patch in their life and also say that worshipping Shani on Shani jayanti rids one of all troubles and suffering.

Shani Amavasya - Auspicious Day of the God Shanidev :
Generally, the devotees can perform pooja and abhishek on any day at any time in Shani Shingnapur. But the Shani Amavasya which falls on a Saturday is considered to be most auspicious. On this day, a lot of devotees from all over the country come to receive blessings of God Shani Dev. In Shani Shingnapur, Lodging and boarding arrangement of devotees are available on this day.
In a whole year, there will be minimum two or maximum three Shani Amavasya. On this great occasion of Shani Amavasya, there will be arrangements for the festival in Shani Shingnapur. From the mid- night of the Friday to the mid-night of the Saturday, prayers, offerings and abhishek of shanidev will be held. In the Shani temple, a ‘Mahapuja’ will be held. In this day, nearly 8 to 10 lakh people come within 24 hours. This Shani Amavasya is known to give good result to all religions.

Prasad of God Shani Dev

Prasad of Shani Dev in Shingnapur :
In India, Darshan and Prasad of God are available at almost all Hindu temples on request. The Prasad are distributed to all devotees coming out after darshan of Shani Dev. Prasad of God Shani dev is available everyday for devotees in Prasadalay Building of Shani Shingnapur Trust. The prasadam timing is given below.

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
In Shani Shingnapur, You have to pay Rs.10/- for Prasad of God Shani Dev. This charge is only for one person. You can take Prasad from outside of temple also.