Shani
Jayanti
2026

Shani Jayanti 2026: Date and Auspicious Timing

In 2026, Shani Jayanti will be observed on Saturday, May 16. The day is considered especially favorable for performing remedial practices aimed at appeasing Lord Shani. Many followers select specific auspicious windows, known as muhurat, to carry out rituals for greater impact. It is customary for devotees to consult astrologers to determine personalized rites suited to their charts.

Amavasya Tithi Begins: 05:11 AM on May 16, 2026

Amavasya Tithi Ends: 01:30 AM on May 17, 2026

Shani Jayanti commemorates the birth of Lord Shani, a prominent deity in Hindu astrology linked to the planet Saturn. As one of the Navagrahas—nine celestial beings believed to shape human destiny—Lord Shani is thought to play a crucial role in determining karmic outcomes and life paths. This observance, widely honored among Hindu communities, serves as a time to seek divine favor and reduce the adverse effects attributed to Saturn’s astrological influence.

Who is Lord Shani?

Lord Shani, commonly connected with Saturn, holds a significant place in Hindu tradition due to his association with karma. Regarded as a just and impartial overseer of human actions, he ensures that individuals face consequences aligned with their deeds. Revered yet approached with caution, Lord Shani is believed to bring trials and difficulties—not as punishment, but as opportunities for introspection and personal development.

Why is Shani Jayanti Observed?

The celebration of Shani Jayanti stems from the belief that earning Lord Shani’s blessings can help ease hardships, strengthen self-discipline, and encourage ethical living. Devotees observe this day to counteract unfavorable planetary positions related to Saturn in their horoscopes. Through prayers and rituals, they seek protection from misfortune while fostering spiritual awareness and inner growth.

Shani Jayanti Puja Vidhi

Performing Shani Jayanti Puja with sincerity helps mitigate negative planetary effects, brings inner discipline, and ensures divine justice. Devotees who worship Shani Dev with devotion experience personal transformation, strength, and success in life.

Below is the step-by-step Puja Vidhi (worship procedure) to seek his blessings:

• Begin the day with an early morning bath, wear clean blue or black clothes, and cleanse the puja area.
• Take a resolve (sankalp) with devotion, praying to Bhagwan Shani for protection, wisdom, and relief from hardships.
• Install an idol or picture of Bhagwan Shani, preferably made of iron, black stone, or Shami wood. Place a kalash (sacred water vessel) on a clean cloth, symbolizing divine energy.
• Bathe the idol with panchamrit (milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar) or sesame oil (Til ka Tel) and water.
• Offer black sesame seeds, mustard oil, blue flowers, black clothes, and urad dal (black gram) to Shani Dev.
• Recite Shani Mantras like “Om Sham Shanicharaya Namah” or Shani Beej Mantra 108 times.
• Read Shani Chalisa and Dashrath Krit Shani Stotra to seek his blessings and pacify his influence.
• Light a diya (lamp) filled with mustard oil under a peepal tree or in front of Shani Dev’s idol.
• Conclude the puja with Shani Aarti, seeking divine grace and protection from karmic afflictions.
• Donate black sesame seeds, iron, mustard oil, and food to the poor and needy, particularly to the differently-abled.

Visiting a Shani temple is one of the most effective ways to connect with the divine vibrations of Bhagwan Shani. These temples are continuously energized by the recitation of powerful Shani mantras, creating a spiritually charged atmosphere that helps devotees seek relief from planetary afflictions and karmic hardships.

For an ideal visit, choose a temple that houses all Navagraha (nine planetary deities) along with Bhagwan Hanuman and a Peepal (sacred fig) tree, as these elements enhance the spiritual potency of the worship. While at the temple, offer sesame oil mixed with mustard oil to Bhagwan Shani, which is believed to pacify his influence and attract his blessings.

Best Time for Shani Puja

The most auspicious time to worship Bhagwan Shani is in the evening. Light a Diya (lamp) filled with mustard or sesame oil under a Peepal tree and perform seven circumambulations (parikrama) around it. After completing the ritual, offer seven laddoos and food to a black dog. If a black dog is not available, offering food to other dogs is also considered auspicious.

Throughout the day, and especially in the evening, devotees should chant the Shani Mantra and recite the Shani Chalisa to invoke Bhagwan Shani’s grace. This day is also highly favorable for performing a Shani Dosha Nivaran Puja, a special ritual aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of Shani in one’s horoscope.

By observing these sacred practices with sincerity, devotees can seek Bhagwan Shani’s protection, reduce karmic burdens, and invite stability, discipline, and spiritual progress into their lives.

Powerful Shani Mantras for Shani Jayanti 2026

Chanting mantras on this day can neutralize karmic blocks and strengthen Saturn.

Shani Beej Mantra (बीज मंत्र)

ॐ प्रां प्रीं प्रौं सः शनैश्चराय नमः

ಓಂ ಪ್ರಾಂ ಪ್ರೀಂ ಪ್ರೋಂ ಸಃ ಶನೈಶ್ಚರಾಯ ನಮಃ

Om Praam Preem Praum Sah Shanaischaraya Namah

Meaning: "I bow to Lord Shani, who removes misfortune and blesses with balance, strength, and calm senses"

Chant: 108 or 1008 times

Shani Gayatri Mantra

|| ॐ काकध्वजाय विद्महे खड्गहस्ताय धीमहि |

| तन्नः शनि प्रचोदयात् ||

|| ಓಂ ಕಾಕಧ್ವಜಾಯ ವಿದ್ಮಹೇ ಖಡ್ಗಹಸ್ತಾಯ ಧೀಮಹಿ |

| ತನ್ನಃ ಶನಿ ಪ್ರಚೋದಯಾತ್ ||

|| OM kAkadhvajAya vidmahE KaDgahastAya dhImahi |

| tannaH Sani pracOdayAt ||

Meaning: ""Om, Let me meditate on him who has a crow on his flag,Oh, He who has a sword in his hand, give me higher intellect,And let Saneeswara (Lord Shani) illuminate my mind."

Chant: 108 or 1008 times

Dasharatha Shani Stotra (Highly Powerful)

|| नीलांजन जयप्रख्यं रविसूनुं महाग्रहं |

| छायायार्गर्भसंभूतं वंदे भक्त्या शनैश्चरं ||

|| ನೀಲಾಂಜನ ಜಯಪ್ರಖ್ಯಂ ರವಿಸೂನುಂ ಮಹಾಗ್ರಹಂ |

| ಛಾಯಾಯಾರ್ಗರ್ಭಸಂಭೂತಂ ವಂದೇ ಭಕ್ತ್ಯಾ ಶನೈಶ್ಚರಂ ||

|| Neelanjana Jayaprakhyam ravisoonum mahagraham ||

|| Chayayargabhasambhootam vande bhaktya shanaishcharam ||

Simple Mantras to pray Lord Shanaischara

|| ओं शनैश्चराय नमः||

|| ಓಂ ಶನೈಶ್ಚರಾಯ ನಮಃ ||

|| Om Shanaischaraya NamaH ||

Reciting this stotra is believed to reduce severe Shani afflictions.

Temples Dedicated to Lord Shani

Across India, several temples are dedicated to Lord Shani, where thousands of devotees gather on Shani Jayanti to pay homage. Some prominent temples include:

Shani Shingnapur Temple, Maharashtra – A unique temple with no roof, where Lord Shani’s idol is worshipped in an open shrine.

Shree Navgrah Mandir, Khargone (M.P.) – The ancient 250 years old temple known for its uniqueness, this temple is popular among devotees seeking relief from malefic effects from Navgrah.

Navagraha Temple, Tamil Nadu – Here, Lord Shani is one of the nine celestial gods worshipped collectively in his planetary form.

Do's and Don’ts on Shani Jayanti

To honor Lord Shani on this sacred day, devotees follow specific dos and don’ts to respect his influence and avoid negative consequences:

Dos:

• Fast for the day, showing dedication and self-discipline.
• Visit a Shani temple or worship at home.
• Offer black sesame seeds, oil, or iron items to symbolize humility and devotion.
• Recite Shani mantras to seek peace and protection.

Don’ts:

• Avoid consuming alcohol or non-vegetarian food.
• Do not engage in negative or deceitful behavior, as Shani values truth and justice.
• Steer clear of unnecessary disputes or aggression, as this day emphasizes patience and calmness.

Shani Jayanti is also known as Shanishchara Jayanti and Sani Jayanthi.

Who Should Observe Shani Jayanti with Extra Devotion?

Individuals with Sade Shani (7½ years of Saturn) affecting their life are strongly advised to worship the deity on Shani Jayanti. Worshipping the deity Shani on this day is said to prevent unfavorable events occurring in your life and to usher in good luck and fortune.

Those who should observe Shani Jayanti 2026 with extra devotion:

• People currently undergoing Sade Sati (Saturn's 7.5-year transit)

• Those in the phase of Shani Dhaiya (2.5-year Saturn transit)

• Anyone facing prolonged delays in career, business, or marriage

• Devotees with a weak or afflicted Saturn in their birth chart

• Those under the influence of Aries, Pisces, and Aquarius experiencing Sade Sati phases