Significance of Shani Amavasya or Sani Amavasya , What are the daans to be done on Shani Amavasya? , Chaaya Daan on Shani Amavasya , What is Chaaya Daan ?
A new moon day on a saturday or an Amavasya on Shanivar is observed as Shani Amavasya. Shani Amavasya is considered to be highly auspicious for getting relief from the effect of Lord Shani or the planet Satrun as per astrology. Shani Amavasya is also considered to be the day on which on can free himself from Pitru or Pitra Dosha. Shani Amavasya is also good to over come the kaala sarpa dosha.
One should worship Lord Shani on Shani Amavasya and please him. By pleasing Shani one would get relief from the difficulties he if facing because of Shani. The common method of pleasing Lord Shani is by performing Taila Abhishekam or Telabhishekam, which means pouring of mustard oil on the idol of Lord Shani. Performing of Taila Abhishekam on Shani Amavasya would please Lord Shani very much.
On Shani Amavasya a special Daan called Chaaya Daan is performed.
Chaaya means reflection. Daan means donation. so as the name suggest it is a donation of the reflection. The procedure of performing the Chaya Daan on Shani Amavasya is as follows:
Keep mustard oil in a bowl and place it beside the bed where you sleep on the night before the Shani Amavasya. As soon as one gets up on Shani Amavasya see your reflection in the oil. Give this oil as Daana to some beggar on Shani Amavasya or give the oil in the temple of Lord Shani on Shani Amavasya. By doing Chaaya Daan on Shani Amavasya one would please Lord Shani and can expect some relief from difficulties caused by Lord Shani.
It is ok even if we are not able to keep a bowl of oil in the night before of Shani Amavasya. One can simply look at his reflection in a bowl of mastard oil on Shani Amavasya itself and donate the same. But keeping the bowl of oil on the day before of Shani Amavasya will yield good results.
The other Daanas to be performed are Anna Daana and Vastra Daana.
Shani Amavasya Date
