Shani Dev is one of the most popular deities that the Hindus pray to ward off evil and remove obstacles. Shani literally means the ‘slow-moving-one’. According to myths, Shani oversees the “dungeons of the human heart and the dangers that lurks there.”
Shani Dev was born to Surya Dev (or The Sun God) and Goddess Chhaya (or Goddess Shade), Shani Deva is known as the elder brother to the God of the Underworld- Lord Yama. Also Yamuna Devi and Putri Bhadra(Tapti) are his Sisters and Lord Shiva is his Guru. His two other brothers are Manu and Vaivastahva Manu and Daksha Kanya Sadnya(Sandya) is his step mother.
Shani-dev is depicted wearing blue or black robes, having dark complexion and riding a vulture or on an iron chariot drawn by eight horses. He holds in his hands a bow, an arrow, an axe and a trident. Shanidev is believed to be the incarnation of Lord Vishnu who is designated the task of granting the fruits of one’s action and is the most feared amongst Hindu gods.