Thread by @VandanaJayrajan

It's believed that worshiping Hanuman helps in removing the hardships caused by Shani or Saturn so people worship Him on Saturdays to remove the malefic influence of Shani in their horoscope. As per Hindu Astrology, bad positioning of Shani results in a difficult period in life.

There's an interesting story regarding why worshipping Hanuman will help in overcoming Shani Dosha or Sade Sati.

Ravan, the demon-king, defeated all the Devas and had brought the grahas (planets in astrology) under his control. He kept the grahas suppressed under his leg.

Ravana was also a great astrologer. When his eldest son, Indrajit, was about to be born, he forcefully kept all the grahas in the most favourable astrological position.The Devas were worried that if Ravana’s son was born in a favourable astrological position, he'll be invincible.

So the Devas asked all the grahas to move from their position. But they said they were unable to escape from the foot of Ravana. Shani agreed to help provided he was able to glance upon Ravana’s face. It's believed that Shani’s Drishti (glance) is as deadly as his position.

The Devas took the help of Sage Narada. He reached the palace of Ravana and saw Shani and other planets under his feet. Narada praised Ravana’s victory over the grahas and said that he should stamp on their chest and not on their back as that would be a true symbol of victory.

Ravana agreed with his observation and immediately got the planets turned up. As Shani turned up,his glance fell on Ravana’s face and this started his hardships. To take revenge on Shani Ravana kept him in a tiny prison that had no opening so that no one could see his face again.

After several years, when Hanuman arrived in Lanka, Ravan’s kingdom, as a messenger from Shri Rama to Mata Sita, He heard the cry of Shani from a dark prison with no holes. Hanuman broke open the prison and rescued Shani.

Shani said he was very thankful for the help but as he had looked at the face of Hanuman, there will be hardships of Sade Sati or Shani Dosha for Hanuman. It's the divine scheme of things and no one can escape from it. Hanuman wanted to know what sufferings he will have to face!

Shani explained that first he will come on his head and that will make him leave his home, wife and sons and go about suffering. Hanuman said to Shani that he can definitely come on his head as he has no family and his abode is at the feet of Lord Rama.

Shani took refuge on His head. Hanuman then began to fight the demons. He crushed huge rocks with his head and Shani was getting hurt in the process. Finally, he got away from Hanuman’s head and said to him that he'll be the only one who will have no effect of inauspiciousness.

He said to Hanuman, "I cannot trouble you. Since you have saved me from Ravana’s prison, I would like to give you a boon."
Hanuman asked Shani not to trouble or cast evil eye on his devotees. Shani promised that he won't cause hardships to Hanuman's devotees.

Hence people worship Hanuman on Saturdays to escape from Shani.

संकट कटे मिटे सब पीरा,
जो सुमिरै हनुमत बलबीरा।🙏🥀

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