Shani Jayanti is marked as birth anniversary of Lord Shani. Shani Jayanti is also known as Shani Amavasya. Lord Shani is son of Lord Suryadev and rules planet Saturn and weekday Saturday.

Shani Jayanti is observed on Amavasya Tithi during Jyeshtha month according to North Indian Purnimant calendar. According to South Indian Amavasyant calendar Shani Jayanti falls on Amavasya Tithi during Vaishakha month. It is name of Lunar month which differs and in both type of calendars Shani Jayanti falls on the same day.

Shani Jayanti coincides with Vat Savitri Vrat which is observed during Jyeshtha Amavasya in most North Indian states. On Shani Jayanti devotees keep fast or Upvaas to propitiate Lord Shani and visit Shani temples to seek blessing of Lord Shani. It is believed that Lord Shani believes in fair justice and if appeased blesses His devotee with good luck and fortune. People, who do not have blessing of Lord Shani, toil for years without getting any reward for their hard work in life.

Shani Jayanti is very appropriate day to perform Hawan, Homam and Yagya to appease Lord Shani. Shani Tailabhishekam and Shani Shanti Puja are the most important ceremonies performed during Shani Jayanti. Above ceremonies are performed to lessen the effect of Shani Dosha, which is popularly known as Sade Sati, in the Horoscope.

Shani Jayanti is also known as Shanishchara Jayanti and Sani Jayanthi.