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Saturday

शनिवार • Shanivara

"Day of Saturn (The Slow-moving One)"

Ruler: Saturn Air (Vayu) West Tamasic

Shani (Saturn/Slow) + Vara (day) = Day ruled by Saturn

Ruler
Saturn
Primary Deity
Lord Shani (Saturn God)
Element
Air (Vayu)
Direction
West
Guna
Tamasic
Nature
Cruel/Fixed (Krura/Sthira)
Temperament
Cold, Dry, Neutral/Eunuch
Tattva
Vayu (Air)

Lord Shani (Saturn God)

Shani is the son of Sun and Chhaya (shadow). His gaze is considered powerful and transformative. He is the karmic judge who delivers justice based on one's past deeds.

Secondary Deities
Lord Hanuman Lord Bhairava Kaal Bhairav

Correspondences

Color

Primary: Black
Secondary Colors
Blue Dark Blue Purple Navy
Colors to Avoid
Red Orange Saffron

Saturn represents darkness, discipline, and karmic lessons

Gemstone Blue Sapphire (Neelam)
Alternate Gems Amethyst, Lapis Lazuli, Black Onyx
Gem Weight Minimum 5 Ratti
Metal Iron, Steel, Lead
Grain Sesame (Til)
Tree Shami (Prosopis), Peepal
Animal Crow, Buffalo, Donkey
Taste Astringent (Kashaya)
Fabric Thick cloth, Woolen, Black cotton
Flowers
Blue/Purple flowers Black flowers (rare)
Body Parts
Bones Joints Teeth Legs Nerves Spleen

Auspicious & Inauspicious Activities

Auspicious Activities

  • Oil massage and oil bath — Saturn rules oil; offering oil pleases Shani
  • Iron and steel dealings — Saturn's metal is iron
  • Laying construction foundation — Saturn gives stability and longevity
  • Agriculture and farming — Saturn rules the earth and land workers
  • Buying black colored items — Black is Saturn's color
  • Shani worship and temple visits — Saturday is Shani's day
  • Hanuman worship (evening) — Hanuman protects from Shani's afflictions
  • Serving the poor, elderly, and disabled — Saturn rules the underprivileged
  • Long-term planning and strategy — Saturn is the planet of time and patience
  • Meditation and introspection — Saturn promotes inner reflection
  • Visiting old age homes or orphanages — Saturn blesses service to the needy
  • Paying debts and settling karmic accounts — Saturn is the karmic accountant

Inauspicious Activities

  • Marriage and auspicious ceremonies — Saturn is a malefic planet causing delays
  • Starting new ventures — Saturn creates obstacles in new beginnings
  • Travel (especially starting journeys) — Saturn is a fixed planet, unfavorable for movement
  • Buying vehicles — Saturn causes accidents and delays
  • Hair cutting (in many traditions) — Can increase Saturn's malefic effects
  • Purchasing new items (except iron/black) — Saturn doesn't favor acquisitions
  • Borrowing money — Can increase debts
  • Entering new house — Saturn creates restrictions

Hora System

Ruling Sunrise Hora Saturn
Best Horas 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd
Activities Iron dealings, agriculture, construction foundation, Shani puja
Hora Sequence (from sunrise)
Saturn Jupiter Mars Sun Venus Mercury Moon

Remedies & Practices

Daily Practices

  • Worship Lord Shani or Hanuman
  • Recite Shani Stotra or Hanuman Chalisa
  • Offer sesame oil to Shani idol
  • Light sesame oil lamp under Peepal tree
Donations (Daan)
Items Black items, Sesame seeds, Mustard oil, Iron, Black cloth, Urad Dal
Recipient Poor people, disabled persons, elderly, or Shani temples
Time Saturday evening or after sunset
Fasting (Vrat)
Type Shanivar Vrat for Saturn pacification
Food One meal with black/dark items, urad dal
Avoid Salt (strict), meat, alcohol

Mantras

Beej Mantra

Om Praam Preem Praum Sah Shanaischaraya Namah

Vedic Mantra

Om Sham Shanaishcharaya Namah

Maha Mantra

Nilanjana Samabhasam Raviputram Yamagrajam, Chhaya Martanda Sambhutam Tam Namami Shanaischaraya

Count Mantra

23000 (minimum for full remedy), 108 (daily)

Clothing Wear black or dark blue colored clothes
Charity Donate to leprosy patients, disabled, laborers, old age homes

Health

Focus Areas
Bones Joints Teeth Chronic ailments Legs Paralysis
Ailments Arthritis, bone problems, chronic diseases, paralysis, dental issues
Treatment Good day for chronic disease treatments, bone therapies
Avoid Strenuous activities, exposure to cold

Profession

Favorable Professions

  • Iron and steel industry
  • Oil business (mustard, sesame)
  • Leather industry
  • Agriculture and farming
  • Mining and excavation
  • Judiciary and law enforcement
  • Labor-intensive industries
  • Real estate (old properties)
Professional Activities
  • Foundation laying for buildings
  • Iron and steel trading
  • Agricultural planning
  • Dealing with government paperwork

Spiritual Practices

  • Shani puja at Shani temples
  • Hanuman Chalisa recitation
  • Lighting oil lamp under Peepal tree
  • Feeding crows (Shani's vehicle)
  • Serving the poor and disabled
Temples Visit Shani temples (Shingnapur, Thirunallar), Hanuman temples
Yantra Shani Yantra
Benefits Karmic purification, protection from Shani Dasha effects, patience

Classical References

Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra Shani (Saturn) is the servant of planets, represents karma, longevity, and suffering
Jataka Paarijaata Saturday is suitable for activities requiring patience, persistence, and discipline
Muhurta Chintamani Shanivara is a Krura (cruel) day; avoid auspicious ceremonies

Regional Variations

North India Shani Jayanti and Shani Amavasya special
South India Thirunallar Shani temple very sacred
Maharashtra Shani Shingnapur pilgrimage on Saturdays
Gujarat Feeding crows and dogs on Saturdays

Modern Relevance

Office Good for reviewing old projects, planning long-term strategy
Business Ideal for infrastructure investments, dealing with government
Personal Best day for discipline, self-reflection, helping others
Astronomical Note

Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun and the second-largest in our solar system. It's famous for its extensive ring system. Saturn's orbital period is about 29.5 years, making it the slowest-moving visible planet.