Shani Puja Vidhi (शनि पूजा विधि)
How to worship Shani Dev on Saturday: materials, oil abhishek, peepal worship, mantras and rules.
When to do it
- Every Saturday
- Shani Jayanti
- Shani Amavasya
Puja materials checklist
Puja method (step by step)
Bath and purification
Bathe and wear clean, preferably freshly washed clothes. Keep the mind calm and put your phone away.
Prepare the place
Clean the place of worship. East or north-east is considered best. Spread a clean cloth on a low wooden seat (chowki) and install the idol or picture.
Lamp and achaman
Light the lamp and incense. Take water in the right palm and sip it three times (achaman).
Sankalp (resolve)
Holding water, rice grains (akshat) and a flower in your hand, say silently your name, gotra (if known) and the purpose of the puja, then pour the water on the ground. A resolve in simple language is also valid.
Ganesh vandana
Remembering Ganesha before any puja is considered auspicious in tradition.
Offer oil
Offer mustard oil on the Shani idol.
Black sesame and urad
Offer black sesame seeds and urad.
Lamp
Light a mustard-oil lamp; one is also lit under the peepal tree.
Recitation
Recite the Shani Chalisa or chant a Shani mantra.
Aarti
Perform aarti with a ghee lamp. Let all family members stand together, and take the aarti at the end.
Prayer for forgiveness
Ask humbly for forgiveness for any mistake made during the puja.
Prasad and closing
Share the prasad with everyone and take some yourself. Take the blessings of elders. Immerse flowers and other puja materials in flowing water or under a tree, rather than throwing them in the trash.
Mantras
✔ Do
- Bathe and wear clean clothes before the puja
- Sit with a calm mind and faith
- Keep the bhog clean and prepared at home
- Share the prasad with everyone after the puja
- Serve those in need
- Respect workers and the elderly
✘ Do not
- Do not get distracted by your phone or conversation during the puja
- Avoid anger, gossip and harsh speech
- Do not offer stale or impure flowers and bhog
- Do not place the idol or picture directly on the floor
- Do not look directly into Shani Dev’s eyes on Saturday (tradition)
- Avoid arrogance and injustice
Common mistakes
- Doing the puja out of fear; treat it as a practice of duty and discipline
- Taking astrological decisions without looking at your horoscope; show your chart to a knowledgeable person
Auspicious muhurat
Puja around sunset on Saturday is considered best. Check the panchang for the time of Shani Jayanti.
Related aarti, katha and mantra
Frequently asked questions
What should be offered to Shani Dev?
What should be done during Sade Sati?
What should be donated on Saturday?
Should Shani puja be done after sunset?
Is fasting necessary for Shani?
Other puja vidhis
Note: puja methods vary by family, region and sect. The method given here is a simple, general form. Give priority to your family tradition or your pandit’s guidance.