Shani Amavasya 2017: How to please the Lord on this day!

The Saturn Lord or Shani Dev is one of the main deities worshiped by Hindus across the globe. The Lord is mentioned in the ancient Puranas and scripts as well. The planet associated with the Lord is Saturn; it is also one of the main Navagraha as per Hindu mythology.

On the new moon as per Hindu calendar, certain specific rituals are performed for different gods and goddesses. If a new moon or Amavasya falls on a Monday, it is called Somvati Amavasya and if it is on a Saturday then it becomes Shani Amavasya.

Therefore, this year Shani Amavasya happens to be on June 24 (Saturday)—a day which is as it is dedicated to the Saturn Lord. This time is even more auspicious because the Amavasya is falling on a Saturday. This Amavasya is taking place during the month of Asadha.

Many believe that if the Amavasya falls on a Saturday and you take bath at a holy place, then all your bad deeds get washed away and you are freed from your sins. This year, Shani Amavasya is on a Saturday and this has happened after a gap of ten long years. In 2007, there was the same planetary conjecture and the Amavasya was on a Saturday.

This is how you can make the most of this day:

You can pray to the Lord by getting up early and taking a bath at some holy river or pilgrimage.

Also, the devotees can offer food, clothes and other valuable stuff in the name of their ancestors who are no longer alive.

Helping the poor and needy on this day can please the Lord and in turn, he will bless you.

You can visit any Shani Temple and offer jaggery and chana (black chickpeas or Gram) to the Lord. Also, black lentils (urad black dal) can be offered to the Lord as well. It is believed that the Saturn God also likes black colour and the mettle Iron (Loha) is associated with him. The devotees can give eatables along with the mettle utensils to the needy also.

The most important thing above all is that you must pray to Lord Shani Dev with a pure mind, body, and soul not thinking about your worries and he shall grant your wishes.

Jai Shani Dev!