ANI Sunday 18th February, 2007
http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/?sid=229003
By Ashok Pal

Aiti (Morena), Feb.18 : Thousands of devotees paid their obeisance at the
ancient Shani
Temple here at Aiti Village in Madhya Pradesh's Morena District on the occasion
of "Shani
Amavasya" (the new moon day of Saturn) .

This year, the day held major significance since the day of Saturn fell on
Saturday, a day
devoted to "Shani", the Saturn God in India.

Devotees from across across the country reached here to pay their homage at the
"Shani
Temple", which is said to have been built by King Vikramaditya, regarded as one
of the
wisest rulers in India.

At the famous temple, the devotees pay their homage with mustard oil and flowers
and
worship the five feet idol of "Shani" or, Saturn.

Prior to performing pujas, one is required to take a dip in the holy pond in the
premises of
the temple. Later, the devotees also feed the poor.

"Shani Amavasya" is considered an auspicious day for offering prayers to Saturn.
It is
believed that worshipping Saturn on this particular day ushers planetary peace.

"The idol of Shani is very old. I have received peace and gained a lot by
offering prayers
here," said Sharad Chandra, one of the devotees visiting the temple from
Bangalore.

There was a good arrangement for the safety and security of the devotees here.

"More than 50,000 devotees have already bathed and offered prayers. We are
expecting
more devotees. All facilities have also been made available for devotees," said
Vijay
Agarwal, Sub Divisional Magistrate, Morena.

Saturn is narrated as Sun God's son in Hindu legends.