Saturday Fast - Rituals, Method, and Benefits

This article explains everything about Saturday fasting benefits, the story behind the ritual of Saturday fasts, and the complete Vidhi to observe a fasting ritual on Saturdays.

Fasts are not only a mind and body detox ritual. They are so much more. In Hinduism, Vrat or fast holds immense spiritual significance. Hindus believe in the power of fasting to seek divine blessings. Moreover, they dedicate each day of the week to a specific Lord or planet and fast on that day to appease the day’s god or heavenly body so they bless them with a happy and sorrow-free life. For instance, the Saturday fast is dedicated to the powerful planet Saturn (Shani), the god of justice, to end your miseries.

Though Shanidev is the most feared deity in Hinduism, he brings you justice for your good or bad karma. Not creating blockages for any being, living or non-living, and keeping Shanivar Vrat with complete devotion is the simplest way to soothe an angry Shanidev and receive his blessings.

Moreover, the history of Saturday Vrat is deeply rooted in Ramayana. The Shanivar Vrat Katha (Saturday fast story) reminds us of its profound significance. Hence, let us delve into it before learning the fast benefits, Vidhi, and Aarti.

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Saturday Vrat Katha

We all know Raavan from the Ramayana. He was the mighty king of Lanka. Along with being the Lankapati (Lanka’s king), Raavan was an ardent Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva devotee. Pleased by his devotion, the lords blessed him with almost immortality and Tri-loka (three realms).

Having won the three realms, all nine planets were under Raavan’s control. He kept these planets under his central hall’s staircase near his throne. Climbing up the throne through these stairs gave Raavan immense pleasure. In addition to the planets, he had in his control all the Gandharvas, demigods, Nagas, and Lokpal. They could do nothing to free themselves from Raavan's clutches.

However, Shanidev promised to help them reclaim their freedom. Since Raavan was a great astrologer, he placed all these planets in the eleventh house once his eldest son Meghnath was born to make him immortal and invincible.

Then, Shanidev stretched his leg a little towards the twelfth house to jeopardize Raavan’s plan. However, Raavan soon came to know Saturn’s cleverness and imprisoned him in a dark room, preventing anyone from seeing Saturn’s face.

Some time passed, and Hanumanji arrived in Lanka to find Goddess Sita. While searching for Goddess Sita, Lord Shani’s cries fell into Hanumanji’s ears. Lord Hanuman found Shanidev and freed him from prison. Though Shanidev’s gaze fell on Hanumanji, Shanidev expressed his gratitude by promising Lord Hanuman that those who would pray to him on Saturday would be liberated from Shani’s painful effects.

There is also another story that highlights Saturday fasting benefits. Once upon a time, King Vikramaditya was unjust and disrespectful to Shanidev. Agitated, Shanidev decided to teach a lesson to the king. As a result, the king encountered many challenges and hardships. Despite the problems, he continued to perform his duties with dedication and integrity. Impressed by his behavior, Shanidev lifted the curse, leading to a stable and prosperous kingdom.

To sum up the story, the benefits and significance of Saturday fasting are manifold, as shared below.

Saturday Fasting Benefits

Fasting on Saturdays is beneficial for you in many ways, such as the following.

It releases you from the negative effects of your past karma, leading to a life free from hindrances and suffering.

This fast teaches you self-discipline and patience and builds a stronger bond with the divine.

It brings you inner peace and serenity through meditation, prayers, and mantra chanting.

Saturday Vrat brings prosperity and financial stability to your life.

It helps you grow and succeed in your career and rewards you for your hard work.

Fasting on Saturdays blocks accidents, diseases, and other problems from coming your way.

It relieves you from the negative effects of Sade Sati, a difficult seven-and-a-half-year period of Saturn.

To get the above and more benefits, you must follow the complete Saturday fasting ritual (Vidhi) with wholehearted dedication and devotion.

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Saturday Fast Vidhi

Below is the step-by-step ritual for fasting on Saturdays.

Preparations before the day

Clean the house and nearby space to make it fit for worshiping.
Arrange Puja items, such as lamps (Diya), mustard oil, black clothes, blue flowers, black sesame seeds, iron, etc.

Morning rituals

Wake up early and take a bath.
After bathing, adorn yourself with clean black/dark blue clothes.

Perform Puja

Sit with an idol or picture of Shanidev in front of you. You can also place the idol/picture of Lord Shiva and Lord Hanuman along with Shanidev.

Offer Shanidev water, ignite a lamp (Diya) with mustard oil in front of the Lord’s idol or image, and vow to observe the Shanivar Vrat.

Recite the Shanidev mantra, “Om Sham Shanaischaraya Namah.”

Offer the Lord black sesame seeds, mustard oil, blue flowers, and black clothes.

Narrate the Shanivar Vrat Katha, perform the Shani Aarti, and offer prasad (fruits like black grapes or bananas) to Shanidev.

Observe Saturday Vrat

Fast through the day (keeping in mind the do’s and don’t of Shanivar Vrat).
Spend your day meditating, praying, and chanting Shani mantras.

Perform evening Puja

Light a mustard lamp (Diya) and pray to Shanidev.
Visit Shanidev or Lord Hanuman temple to seek blessings.

Break your fast

Have a simple meal to break your fast after sunset.
Offer food, items made of iron, and money to poor people.

In addition to the above Saturday fasting rituals, you should keep in mind a few do’s and don’ts of this fast.

Do’s and Don’ts of Shanivar Vrat

Below are a few guidelines to remember during Saturday fasting.

Do’s

Chant Hanuman Chalisa at least seven or eleven times.

Lite a Diya in mustard oil under a Peepal tree.

Engage in charity and donations.

Donate black Urad and black sesame seeds.

Perform Chaya daan (take mustard oil in a bowl, look at your shadow in that oil, and then give it to needy people).

Have Satvik food to break your fast.

Don’ts

Refrain from hurting or insulting anyone.

Ensure you do not behave disrespectfully with your house helps, workers, and subordinates.

Do not consume meat and alcohol.

Refrain from using abusive language.

Avoid sitting idle.

Also, here is the Aarti for you to appease Shanidev.