Fasting on Saturday
Saturday fast
Observing fast on Saturday is seen to be highly beneficial for those who face accidents, remain tensed from the malefic effects caused by Shani grah or going through Sade Saati period of planet Saturn, to reduce the adversities and misfortunes of Saturday, Praying to Lord Shani to get rid of all these problems.
About Fasting on Saturday to Please Lord Shani
This fast should be started from Saturday preferably from the Shukl paksh - the first saturday of Shravan month (July-August) is considered best and should be done for 11 or 51 saturdays. Black is the color of the day. After taking bath in the morning, people visit shani temple and offer black gram or black til and sesame oil. Sesame Oil, black til and black clothes are also donated on saturdays. Shani vrat katha is also recited in the evening. While praying, you can also recite Shani Chalisa, Shani Stotra and Shanti Arti. Meal is taken once and Salt is mostly avoided in this meal.
Those who face accidents, remain tensed from the malefic effects caused by Shani grah or going through Sade Saati period of planet Saturn, pray to Lord Shani to get rid of all these problems. To avoid or reduce the adversities and misfortunes of Saturday, observing fast on Saturday is seen to be highly beneficial.
It is also said that getting the blessings of Lord Hanuman help ease problems related to planet Saturn. During the burning of Lanka, Lord Hanuman saved Lord Shani from Ravana and Lord Shani promised that he won't trouble Lord Hanuman's devotees. Therefore, people also worship Lord Hanuman to reduce the bad effects of Sade sati or to save themselves from the eyes of Lord Shani. It is represented by the planet Saturn of the solar system. There are numerous tales about Lord Shani due to which some people also avoid travelling on Saturdays.
Chanting of Maha Mrityunjaya mantra is considered beneficial and should be recited 108 times. The mantra is as follows-
"Om Triyambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushti Vardhanam,
Urva Rukmiv Bandhanan Mrityur Mokshiya Mamratat"
Shani Beej Mantra can also be recited 108 times to reduce the adversities caused by Lord Shani.
"Om Praam Preem Proom Sah Shanaischaraya Namah"
There is a mythological Shani mantra that can also be recited is-
"Om Nilanjana Samabhasam, Ravi Putram Yamagrajam,
Chhaya Martanda Sambhutham, Tam Namami Shanishcharam"
As Lord Shani doesn't trouble the devotees of Lord Hanuman, recitation of Hanuman Chalisa is also seen well.