Know The Right Way To Observe Saturday Fast To Seek Blessings Of Lord Shani
Observing some rituals with devotion on Saturday is believed to attract Lord Shani's blessings, remove obstacles, and bring peace and prosperity into one's life.
In Sanatan Dharma, each day of the week is dedicated to a specific deity. Among them, Saturday is devoted to Lord Shani (Shani Dev), the god of karma and justice. It is believed that observing a disciplined fast and worship ritual on Saturdays can please Shani Dev and bring relief from various hardships.
However, many devotees unknowingly commit mistakes while observing the fast, which prevents them from receiving the desired blessings. Here’s the correct way to observe Saturday’s vrat (fast) and worship Lord Shani:
ALSO READ: Shani Dev Vrat — Saturday Rituals, Do’s And Don’ts For Blessings
Preparations For The Fast
Before observing the Saturday fast, one should mentally remember and invoke Lord Shani. It is advised to avoid tamasic (heavy and impure) foods a day prior. On the day of the fast, devotees should wake up during the Brahma Muhurat (early morning hours before sunrise), take a holy bath, wear clean clothes, and vow to observe the fast and perform the worship with sincerity.
Rituals To Follow
On Saturday, pour water at the roots of a Peepal tree and circumambulate it seven times while chanting the mantra:
"Om Praam Preem Praum Sah Shanaischaraya Namah"
Tying a sacred thread (raksha sutra) to the Peepal tree during the circumambulation is also considered auspicious.
Puja Rituals To Follow:
Worship of a Shani Dev idol made of iron is highly recommended. Devotees must ensure purity in thoughts, words, and actions during the fast. Listening to Shani Dev's katha (stories and teachings) on Saturday is believed to bring good fortune.
In the evening, devotees should visit a nearby temple to perform aarti of Shani Dev and offer mustard oil. Offering black sesame seeds, mustard oil, and black cloth to Lord Shani is considered especially beneficial. Donating a blanket on this day also brings blessings.
Chanting Shani mantras and stotras (hymns) forms an essential part of the puja ritual and helps in mitigating the effects of Shani’s mahadasha (major planetary period).
Concluding The Fast:
The Saturday fast should be broken only on the following day after offering prayers to Lord Shani. Without this concluding ritual, the fast is not considered complete.
[Disclaimer: The content of this article is based solely on beliefs, and should be taken as general guidance. Individual experiences may vary. ABPLive.com does not assert the accuracy or validity of any claims or information presented. It is strongly recommended to consult a qualified expert before considering or implementing any information or belief discussed herein.]
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