The Shani Dev Temple is situated in Baijnath town, in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. The temple is situated near the famous Baijnath Mahadev Temple, one of India’s oldest Shiva temples.
The main deity of this temple is Lord Shani Dev, the god of justice and karma in Hindu belief. He is enshrined here in a peaceful and calm form, unlike the fierce forms seen in other temples. Along with Shani Dev, Mother Chaya (his mother) is also worshipped. The temple also honours Lord Shiva (Mahakaal), as Shani Dev is believed to be his disciple.
The Shani Dev shrine was originally installed in the Bhadrapada month many years ago. However, the dedicated temple structure was built in 2005.
This is one of the very few temples in India where Shani Dev is worshipped in a peaceful and calm form.
It highlights the Guru–Shishya relationship, where Shani Dev is the disciple and Lord Shiva (Mahakaal) is the Guru.
The temple has 12 zodiac (Rashi) pillars, where devotees tie sacred threads for relief from problems like bad luck, legal issues, illness, and planetary doshas.
According to the Sthalapurana, Shani Dev was a great devotee of Lord Shiva (Mahakaal) and considered him as his Guru (spiritual teacher). He used to meditate and worship Lord Shiva here in Baijnath, seeking divine knowledge and blessings to control his power and ego.
Impressed by Shani Dev’s deep devotion and dedication, Lord Shiva gave him the strength to carry out his duties of justice without being influenced by anger or pride. Hence, in Baijnath, Shani Dev is worshipped in his peaceful and merciful form, as a disciple sitting calmly at the feet of his Guru.
This Sthalapurana highlights the unique Guru–Shishya bond between Shani Dev and Mahakaal. While in many other temples, Shani Dev is depicted in a fierce or angry form, here he is shown in a calm posture, as he is in the presence of his Guru.
It is believed that worshipping Shani Dev here brings not fear, but peace, spiritual healing, and solutions to life problems. People believe that when one surrenders to the Guru (Shiva), even the harsh effects of planetary positions become mild and bearable. The place is considered especially powerful for those going through difficult Shani periods in their lives.
As part of the local ritual, devotees tie sacred threads on the 12 zodiac pillars in the temple, praying to get relief from illnesses, legal issues, financial losses, family problems, and untimely death. This tradition is deeply rooted in the belief that Shani Dev, under his Guru’s guidance, listens kindly to the prayers of his devotees here.
The main festival at the Shani Dev Temple in Baijnath is celebrated during the Bhadrapada month, attracting many devotees. Saturdays and Shani Jayanti are also considered highly auspicious, with special prayers, oil offerings, and thread-tying rituals on zodiac pillars for relief from Shani doshas.
