The roofless temple of Shani Dev
By H.C. Gera

ON the Bahadrabad road on way to Hardwar is the Sri Sidh Shani Dev temple.

This abode of Shani Dev is a massive roofless structure built on a square platform. It is open from all sides. The flooring has been laid with white and black blocks of marble. The central pillar, known as shani satambha, is about five and a half feet in height, and is built with black stone. Surrounding the platform are 12 giant pillars, approximately 8 feet high. These pillars represent the 12 zodiac signs (rashis). Sacred threads (mauli) are tied around these pillars by visitors who come here to make a wish.

On each pillar, the name of a zodiac sign has been mentioned. On the eastern side, near the central pillar (sanctum), there is a hexagonal box known as akhand jyoti where a jyot continuously burns. In the eastern corner, there is a niche that enshrines the idol of Lord Hanuman.

There is a legend related to the birth of Saturn (Shani Dev). The mother of Saturn could not face the glow, brilliance and heat of the sun so she left her shadow in her place. Out of the union between the sun and the shadow, the birth of Saturn took place. When sun came to know about the truth, he cursed Saturn with malefic characteristics.

Since time immemorial, Shani is considered to be an evil planet. It reigns over poverty, death, misfortune, unending difficulties, delays and hindrances. But Shani also has good qualities such as endurance, patience, perseverance, self-control, sense of duty towards God and mankind. It is also a symbol of truth, charity, sincerity and prudence. This is the only planet that bestows moksha to human beings. Shani is considered a "bachelor deity" like Hanuman. It is 872 million miles away from the sun and takes 30 years to revolve round it. Saturn, the slowest moving planet, stays about 2 years and six months in a zodiac sign. Those who believe in astrology must be aware of the troublesome sadhe-sati period of Shani. Numerous problems connected with physical and mental health, debts and other financial difficulties can be attributed to Shani during this period.

At this temple, Shani is worshipped in a peculiar way. First of all Shani’s aahavan (arrival of deity) is carried out by the priest, who recites mantras. This is followed by its abhishek with water. After the abhishekam, incense sticks are lit. The entire area becomes smoky. Then a puja basket containing oil, flowers, black til, vermilion and coconut is given to the priest. Amidst the chanting of mantras, the priest asks the devotees to see their own reflection in the oil pot before offering it to the deva. The offering of oil is known as chhaya daan. The sanctum with the black pillar in the centre is deluged with oil, which drips from the brass pot hung permanently over the pillar. There is a hole at the bottom of this pot through which the oil falls on the central pillar. It is said that this ritual connected with the worshipping of Shani is essential to ward off all evils. Then the priest sings hymns praising Shani. Finally, the devotees circumbulate around the platform once, thrice or seven times.

Pt Maheshwar Parshad, Chamola, the priest of the temple, says the design of this temple is somewhat similar to the Shani Dev Temple in Shignapur (Ahmadnagar district) in Maharashtra.

In Shignapur, the entry of women into the temple is prohibited. In this North Indian temple, however, women are allowed to participate fully in all the ceremonies.

The temple receives about Rs 20,000 per month as cash donations. Sometimes the devotees offer items of gold and silver as well. About eight to ten tins of mustard oil are also collected. These are donated to the Kusht Ashram and an orphanage in Hardwar. The cash donations are utilised for upkeep and maintenance of the temple.