Shani is auspicious of taurus and libra Ascendants. A Prayer to him especially on Saturday, is said to mitigate the hardship on will face. He bestows all benefits to those who pray sincerely to him-wealth, fame and makes all their wishes come true.

Jyothish Shastra or Hindu Astrology is based on an elaborate calculation of the position of nine planets or navgrahas. Depending upon where these planets are located at the time of a person birth Hindu believe that the possibilities and potentialities of a man life and energies are determined well in advance. Classical Vedic astrology uses the seven visible planets Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon) Mangal (Mars) Budha (Mercury) Guru (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus) and Shani (Saturn). The other two Rahu and Ketu are also fabled as planets, the former as a planet with a head and no body and the latter as a planet with a body and no head.

Each of these nine planets exerts and influence in our lives which is called ‘Dasha’ and it can be known from one horoscope. In casting a horoscope the heavens are commonly represented by a circle divided into 12 intersections, house. Each of these house is assigned several departments of human life such as wealth or marriage. The planet that falls within a particular house is said to influence matters pertaining to that house. It is not man alone that is subject to changes of fortune. If one known the planetary position at the time of commencing a job or enterprise with its help one should be able to find out how it would take shape how one would fare in it.

Why Do a Navagraha Puja?
Navagraha puja is an extremely useful & beneficial puja, since its worship soothes and heals all the difficult energies of that planet in our life and also encourages the positive energies from that same planet to flow toward us. This puja is recommended for all particularly those whose planets are detrimental or malefic as per horoscope (Dasha). Thus the favour of all the Grahas must be conciliated before every auspicious event to accomplish it successfully. Chanting the Navagraha Mantras everyday with devotion enables one to overcome one adversities and achieve happiness in life. The Navagrahas are the custodians of our overall well being and influence our destiny.

The highlight of the albums in the Navagraha Puja series is the shodashopchar Puja (‘Shodas’-sixteen, ‘upchar-rituals) i.e. 16 ritual puja for each graha. These being – Avahanam, Asanam, Padhyam, Arghyam, Achamanam, Panchamrut snanam, snanam, Yagnopavitam, Vastram, Gandham, Pushpani, Dhupam, Deepam, Vaivedyam, Niranjanam, Namaskaram. One could also do panchopchar (5 ritual) Dashopchar (10 ritual) or an Ashtatrinshad upchar (38 ritual) to worship the Grahas. The albums also include some rituals from the Ashtatrinshad upchar vidhi such as abhishekam ang-pujan, nam-pujan, namavali (chanting the 108 names of the Graha) etc. and also included certain important mantras specific to each graha.

In Vedic astrology the planet Saturn is called SHANI. In Sanskrit Shani comes from SANISCHARA, which means, "slow mover". From Shani we get the word "shun", which means to ignore, or lose awareness of something. Thus, Saturn represents a loss of awareness, or ignorance. This loss of awareness can also mean the diminishing awareness of the material world of manifestation.

Saturn is a karaka, or indicator, of longevity, misery, sorrow, old age and death, discipline, restriction, responsibility, delays, ambition, leadership and other, humility, integrity, wisdom born of experience. Saturn also indicates asceticism, deni1, non-attachment, spirituality, hard fork, organization, reality and time itself.

The graha SANISCHARA (Saturn), also known as Manda, is generally known to affect one adversely on occasions when he occupies certain positions in one's horoscope like Saade Sati (71/2 years), Ashtama Shani (Saturn in 8th house - 21/2 years), etc. The influence of Saturn is to Alay, to withhold. As the slowest moving of the planets he retards things, holds back their development.

A prayer to this Devata, especially on Saturdays, is said to mitigate the hardships one will have to face 41, during the above periods. He is a particularly beneficial planet 'Tor Taurus and Libra Ascendants. Sanischara bestows all benefits to the devotees who pray sincerely to him-wealth, fame and makes all their wishes come true.

When strong: in the chart it brings wisdom and awareness of the right and wrong in the people. When weak: it makes the person greedy, morbid, and gloomy. They continuously suffer from losses in professional matters, psychosomatic problems, tension in personal relations.

Colour — Deep Blue, Nature - Harsh, Stone — Blue Sapphire, Metal — Lead-Iron, Day of worship —Saturday, Direction ruled — West.

Steps for Shani Puja
To do a `puja', what one needs most is devotion. `Puja' can be as elaborate or as simple as one desires. Even the `puja' materials can be exhaustive or absolutely minimum as one would like to have. Shri Krishna in the Bhagwad Gita says "Whoever offers me leaves, flowers, fruits, water, etc. with love and devotion, I accept" (Chapter 9, shloka 26).

Preparing for the Puja
1. Make the `sthaapan' ready — place the `puja bajoth' (`chowki' or a wooden stand) in a manner such that the deities face east. You should sit facing the `sthaapan'.

2. Cover the `Bajoth' with a black cloth.

3. Now place three `Tarbhanas' (any small _ size metal plate) - one in the center (for the presiding deity-Hanuman), one on the tight hand side (for Ganesh) and one on the left, (for Shani). Also place some `pipal' leaves with a small portion of the bark of a `pipal' tree (as a representation of the 'Opal' tree) and also draw a `dhanush mandal' (bow & arrow) with some black 'fir and-place the Shani graha on top of these.

4. Next place a beetle leaf in each `-tarbhana' and place the respective idols/pictures on each beetle leaf If one does not have the idol/picture, then place a -beetle nut (`sopari) on each, beetle leaf, the beetle nut representing indicative of the respective deities.

5. Keep the following puja items heady -
`Aasan'-(carpet), chandan', 'kumkum', ',abir (white powder), 'haridra churna' (haldi), gulal’, black flowers, leaves specific-to the deities i.e. `Durva' fen-Ganesh, ‘Akada' leaves for Hanuman, and 'shame leaves for 'Shani; 'kesar',„ Kharek' (fruit),-'panchamrut (a mixture of milk, ghee, honey, sugar and curd), certain 'Puja' utensils (`tarbhana; ,`panchpatra', "`achamane-- a metal spoon used in puja, `kalash', 'Katore, `thali; `aarti, bell, etc of brass/copper/silver as per one's choice), 'dhupam' (a form of 'incense),, ',deepam' (light) and `naivedhyam' (cut fruits/dry fruits/sweets of milk/fried food, like, samosas, bhajiyas etc Note no ghee-based food).

Items for Daan (Charity)
Black urad', 'neelam', black cloth, black flowers‘ Kharek’' (fruit), 'shame wooden 'sticks are considered to be given as daan to a Brahmin to appease the bad and inauspicious effects of Shani.

Ashwini Bhide Deshpande, an outstanding artiste of the famed Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana, represents the new generation of young veterans worthy of wearing the mantle of the old maestros.

Born in a family with strong musical traditions, Ashwini completed Sangeet Vishaiad of `Gandharva Mahavidyalaya' at the young age of 16 and won the President's Gold Medal at the All India Radio Music Competition in 1977. After grasping the rudiments of Hindustani Classical music under Pt. Narayaprao Datar, she began to imbibe all the traditional aspects of stylized Jaipur-Gayaki under the strict tutelage of her mother, mentor and Guru, the renowned vocalist Smt: Manik Bhide, herself a student of many years of the living legend Ganasaraswati Smt. Kishori Amonkar. Currently, Ashwini is also receiving valuable guidance from another senior stalwart of the renowned Gharana; Pt. Ratnakar Pai.

Although a classical vocalist by temperament and training, Ashwini is equally at ease with lighter varieties like the Thumri and Bhajan. Ashwini's devotion repertoire is also well acclaimed, be it the works of Saint Poets of Northern India or the Abhang rendition of Marathi Saint Poets of the Warkari Sampradaya. Add to this, her fluency in Sanskrit that enriches her repertoire further.

Ashwini has featured regularly in almost all the prestigious concerts both in India and abroad. Her recorded music albums are available under all the prestigious labels like Sony Music, Navras Records, Saregama HMV, Times music, Music Today among others.

Ashwini, who lives 'in Mumbai, holds a Masters degree in Microbiology and a Doctorate in Biochemistry from the University of Bombay.