शनिवार
Saturday
Deities of the day
No deity here is "the" deity of the day — each association is named at equal standing.
शनि देव
Shani Dev
Shanaishchara, the slow-moving one — Saturdays favour black sesame, urad dal, and a sesame-oil lamp, with oil offered at Shani temples, especially during Sade Sati, a Shani daśā, or his transit-aspect.
श्री हनुमान जी
Hanuman
Also a deity of Saturdays — by the account that Shani agreed to spare the homes of Hanuman's devotees; many keep a Saturday Hanuman observance alongside, or in place of, the Tuesday one.
Mantra for the day
Mantra text
oṁ śaṁ śanaiścarāya namaḥ
Transliteration is under scholarly review — treat as provisional.
Om, śaṁ — salutations to Shani, the slow-moving one.
Offerings & bhog
- Black sesame (til)
- A sesame-oil lamp
- Urad dal
Fasting & vrat
Shanivar Vrat — a Saturday fast with black sesame, urad dal, and a sesame-oil lamp; widely kept for relief during Sade Sati, a Shani daśā, or his transit-aspect. Hanuman is worshipped on this day too; oil is offered at Shani temples.
Regional & traditional variants
Maa Kali Shanivara Vrat
Some traditional almanacs also record a Maa Kali Shanivara Vrat — a Shakta observance of Kali on Saturdays.
Peepal worship
Saturday is also the day for Pippala (peepal tree) worship — circumambulation and a mustard- or sesame-oil lamp at its root.
Mantras
About this
Weekday-deity worship varies by region and family tradition — this is one common form. For any major observance, follow a pandit's guidance.