Faith, Oil, and Economics: The Lord Shani Temple Phenomenon – A Ritual Driving ?1,000 Crore and Beyond

India, with over 6.48 lakh temples, holds a profound tradition of devotional practices. These rituals not only reflect the nation's rich cultural heritage but also have ripple effects across various industries, most notably in the case of Lord Shani veneration. Every Saturday, Lakhs of devotees gather at Shani temples, anointing the deity with mustard oil as an offering, symbolising the alleviation of Saturn's malefic effects. This age-old religious practice, when viewed through the lens of economics, provides an astonishing insight into mustard oil consumption and its far-reaching impact on the economy.

Why Mustard Oil Is Poured Over Lord Shani

The act of pouring mustard oil over Lord Shani, known as Tailabhishekam, is rooted in Hindu mythology and astrology. Lord Shani, the deity associated with the planet Saturn, is often feared for the perceived negative impact his planetary influence can have on people's lives. It is believed that Saturn, when placed unfavourably in one’s horoscope, can bring about hardships, obstacles, delays, and misfortunes.

Mustard oil holds a special significance in Shani worship because it is thought to cool and pacify the angry and powerful nature of Lord Shani. According to mythology, Lord Shani was wounded by his own father, Lord Surya (the Sun), and mustard oil was applied to his wounds to alleviate the pain. Since then, offering mustard oil has become a way for devotees to seek protection from Shani’s negative effects and to reduce the challenges caused by an unfavourable Saturn position. The oil is believed to absorb the negative energy and bad karma of the devotees, helping them overcome the difficulties in their lives.

This deep-rooted belief is why devotees continue to offer mustard oil to Lord Shani every Saturday, seeking relief from his malefic influence and asking for blessings of prosperity and peace.

Temples In India

Temples are deeply embedded in the belief system of Hindus, serving as sacred spaces where followers offer prayers and worship a variety of gods and goddesses. While some devotees prefer visiting temples daily, many others attend during special occasions and festivals. India is home to lakhs of temples, each playing a significant role in the spiritual lives of millions. Some temples are well-known and draw vast numbers of pilgrims, while others remain relatively lesser-known but are no less revered.

According to data shared by Pixels in India in 2022, there were approximately 6.48 lakh temples across the country. Among the states, Tamil Nadu ranks highest with 79,154 temples, followed closely by Maharashtra with 77,283 temples. Karnataka and West Bengal also have a significant number of temples. On the other end of the spectrum, Mizoram has the lowest count, with just 32 temples in the entire state. Regardless of their popularity, temples across India continue to be visited widely, reflecting the deep spiritual and cultural connection they hold for Hindus.

This spread of temples across the country showcases the diversity and richness of India’s religious landscape, with each state contributing uniquely to the country’s cultural fabric.

The Numbers Behind the Ritual

Based on available data, even if you take a very conservative estimate, about 15% of India's 6.48 lakh temples are either dedicated to or feature Lord Shani in some form. This translates to approximately 97,200 Shani temples across the country. Every Saturday, an average of 100 devotees visit each of these temples, where they offer an average of 200 ml of mustard oil to the deity as part of their worship. To better grasp the scale of this ritual, let’s break down the consumption.

The Numbers Behind the Ritual

• Weekly Consumption: 97,200 temples × 100 devotees × 200 ml = 19.44 crore ml (19.44 lakh liters) of mustard oil every Saturday.
• Monthly Consumption: 19.44 lakh liters × 4 Saturdays = 77.76 lakh liters per month.
• Yearly Consumption: 77.76 lakh liters × 12 months = 9.33 crore liters annually.

Comparison with Small Countries' Oil Consumption

This figure becomes even more fascinating when compared to the total edible oil consumption of some smaller nations. Here are some interesting comparisons:

• Bhutan consumes approximately 10–12 crore liters of edible oil per year.
• Maldives consumes around 3 crore liters of oil annually.
• Iceland consumes an estimated 1.2 crore liters of edible oil per year.
• Estonia, with a population of 1.3 million, consumes 2.5 crore liters of edible oil annually.
• Luxembourg consumes about 1.5 crore liters of oil each year.

The mustard oil used annually in Shani temples across India (9.33 crore liters) could match or exceed the total oil consumption of countries like Maldives, Iceland, Luxembourg, and Estonia combined! This comparison illustrates the immense scale of this devotional practice and its significant economic impact.

A Glimpse Into the Scale

• Annual Oil Output Comparison: The mustard oil consumption in Shani temples alone is equivalent to around 3–4% of India's total annual mustard oil consumption, which stands at approximately 250–300 crore liters. This means that a substantial portion of India's mustard oil output could be attributed to religious rituals.
• Comparison with Global Exports: India's annual mustard oil exports are typically between 1 and 1.5 lakh tonnes. The oil consumed in Shani temples, 9.33 crore liters, equals 93,300 tonnes, which is about 60-90% of India's mustard oil exports. This highlights how religious practices significantly shape domestic consumption patterns.
• Global Edible Oil Leader Comparison: To put it in perspective, France, a global leader in mustard production, produces mustard seed yields that would only meet around 5–10% of India's Shani temple mustard oil consumption annually, further emphasizing the magnitude of this ritual-driven demand.

The Ripple Effect on India's Mustard Oil Industry

India is one of the largest producers and consumers of mustard oil globally. The religious demand for mustard oil in Shani temples forms a notable, though often underappreciated, segment of the market. The estimated 9.33 crore liters used annually in Shani rituals not only supports the mustard seed farming industry but also influences pricing, demand, and supply chain dynamics.

With mustard oil prices fluctuating between ?150 and ?180 per liter, this religious consumption contributes significantly to the economy. In financial terms, this demand potentially adds more than ?1,400 crore annually to the mustard oil market, benefiting farmers, traders, wholesalers, and retailers alike.

Mustard Oil and Faith: A Symbolic and Economic Interplay

The use of mustard oil in Shani worship is deeply rooted in tradition. Lord Shani, a feared planetary deity, is believed to be pacified through mustard oil offerings, which symbolise the removal of obstacles and difficulties in devotees' lives. While this is largely a faith-driven practice, the economic implications of the sheer scale of consumption cannot be ignored.

Conclusion: More Than a Ritual

What may seem like a simple act of devotion has far-reaching effects on India's mustard oil economy. The intersection of faith, tradition, and economics underscores how religious practices can shape markets and industries. As more devotees continue to visit Shani temples, particularly on Saturdays, the demand for mustard oil grows, making it a significant driver in the edible oil market in India.