Shani Amavasya 2026

In the Hindu Calendar, some days carry some extra weight, and one among them is Shani Amavasya. It falls on the new moon day and helps one seek the blessings of Lord Shani, the deity of justice, karma, and discipline. Observing a fast on this day, chanting mantras, and donating clear negative energies and heal past karmas. Other than this, it is also a day to clear ancestral blockages and seek their blessings. So, one must have full faith and devotion for this day. However, before performing rituals, one must know about this day in detail. Take a closer look at the day, along with the date and the times at which it falls. 

Shani Amavasya 2026 Date and Time 

Shani Amavasya 2026 falls on 2 dates: once in May and once in October. Take note of the timings and perform rituals and chant mantras during this time for the best results. 
 

Date	Timings
May 16, 2026	May 16, 5:11 AM - May 17, 1:31 AM
October 10, 2026	October 9, 9:36 P.M.- October 10, 9:20 P.M

What Is the Importance of Shani Amavasya? 

Shani Amavasya or Shanichari Amavasya falls when there is a Saturday on the new moon day. This day relates to cleansing past and present karma, clearing the Pitru dosha, and keeping evil and dark energy at bay. 

Cleanses Karma

Shani Amavasya falls on the day of the new moon; this day calls for spiritual inclination. By bestowing on the lord Shani, one can cleanse past deeds and negative karma. Sometimes, knowingly or unknowingly, one takes a wrong path. Shani Amavasya is a day to recall Lord Shani and pray to him for all actions taken in the present and past. 

Clears Pitru Dosha 

Pitru dosha is a karmic debt that one inherits from one's ancestors at the time of birth. New moon is the day dedicated to ancestors to cleanse off the blockages and curses. When Saturday falls on this day, it becomes especially important to perform rituals to cleanse Pitru Dosha. Thereby, people do Pind Daan and offer water to seek the blessings of ancestors. 

Saves from Evil Eye and Negative Energies

The night of Shani amavasya holds occult significance. People, especially those with sensitive energies, can get caught by the night’s negativity. Thus, people who perform Shani amavasya with faith, devotion, prayers, and meditation get saved by the blessings of Lord Shani. He acts as a shield to dark energies and psychic blockages. 

Provides Relief from Shani Dosha 

Shani amavasya is a significant day for those currently under Sade Sati or Dhaiya. It is a challenging time for such individuals, as these doshas can create obstacles in one’s life, related to career, finances, or love life. People who perform Shani amavasya with pure dedication and faith can bypass the ill effects of this period and lead an obstacle-free life.

What to Do on Shani Amavasya? 

Take a Sacred Bath: Wake up at Bharma Muhutra (before sunrise) and bathe. It means not taking a simple shower, instead adding black sesame seeds and a drop of mustard oil for body purification. 

Visit Shani Temple: After taking a holy bath, visit the Shani Temple in the morning. Chant Shani beej mantra “Om Praam Preem Proum Sah Shanaischaraya Namah” or beej mantra “Om Sham Shanishcharaye Namah" 108 times with a rudraksha mala. 

Perform Rituals: While chanting the mantra, one must also offer sesame seeds, black cloth, and mustard oil to Lord Shani. Also, light a diya in the temple; such rituals absorb negative energy and relieve one from mental heaviness. 

Do Pitru Tarpan: Gather dry black sesame seeds and a small bundle of kusha grass. At the temple, ask the priest to allow you to perform pitru tarpan rituals to eliminate ancestral curses and seek their blessings. 

Give Charity: Give charity to the unprivileged by offering black sesame seeds, mustard oil, whole black gram, and iron items. Other than that, one can also donate black clothes, footwear, and an umbrella.  Feeding cows and black dogs is also a good deed.