Fotos

My visit to the Meenakshi Temple happen to be on a Saturday, the day of Saturn or Shani (Devta or God). A day when you would find many devotees specially offering their prayers, lighting diyas, all to please the Shani Devta. It’s a common believe that if Shani Devta is not pleased with you, then you are in for some real hard times ahead. So there I was, standing infront of Shani temple, one of the many idols of God and Goddesses that you find inside the Meenakshi Temple, waiting my turn to offer my prayers.

According to Vedic astrology, the planetary position at the time of birth determines the future of a person. Hindus worship Shanidev (Planet Saturn) as a god and one of the navagraha’s. Buddists and Jains too consider him as one of the navagraha’s. Buddists believe that Lord Shani rides on a tortoise. Shanidev is black in appearance and ferocious in nature. Saturday is considered to be the day of Shanidev and is considered inauspicious for starting new ventures. Shanidev is believed to be the incarnation of Lord Vishnu who is designated the task of granting the fruits of one's action and is the most feared amongst Hindu gods. Shanidev is considered to be the reason of accident, fear, loss, adversities etc., in our lives. It is beleaved that Shanidev has to be pleased for warding off evil and for getting rid of obstacles in life.It is said that a favorable Shani bestows wealth and fame but at the same time, an unfavorable Shani gives endless miseries.

It is said that when Shani opened his eyes as a baby for the very first time, the sun went into an eclipse, which clearly denotes the impact of Shani on astrological charts. He is known as the greatest teacher. Shani dev is said to be very harmful to those who follow the path of Evil, betrayal, backstabbing and unjust revenge. He is known in Hindu scriptures as the greatest trouble giver as well as the greatest well wisher. He is depicted dark in colour, clothed in black; holding a sword, arrows and two daggers and variously mounted on a Vulture. Vulture is Shani's Vahana. As protector of property, Shani is able to repress the thieving tendencies of these birds.

Shot hand held, ISO 1600, f/9, 1/13 sec