Amavasya

Amavasya

Amavasya : 

The new moon day (all 9 hours and not just the night) is called Amavasya . The Hindu calendar is a lunar calendar. In most parts of the Indian subcontinent, the Hindu lunar month always starts on the day following the Full Moon or Purnima and therefore Amavasya always falls in the middle of Hindu lunar calendar. However, in some parts of the Indian subcontinent, the Hindu calendar month starts on the day after the new moon or Amavasya and therefore Amavasya is the last day of the lunar month in those places. Many festivals, the most famous being Diwali (the festival of lights), are observed on Amavasya.
 
Somavati Amavasya :
 
An Amavasya falling on a Monday has a special significance in Hindu Religion. It is believed that a fast on this particular Amavasys would ward off widow-hood in women and to ensure Progeny. It is also believed that all desires could be fulfilled if one fasts on such an Amavasya.
 
Worship of Forefathers (Pitra) :
 
The dark fortnight of Aswayuja (September–October) is known as the Pitru Paksha (Mahalaya) or the fortnight specially sacred for offering oblations to the departed ancestors. The last day of this period, the new moon day, called mahalaya amavasya, is considered as the most important day in the year for performing obsequies and rites. The manes return to their abode on the evening of Deepavali. Due to the grace of the Yama, it has been ordained that offerings made during this period benefit all the departed souls, whether they are connected to you or not.
 
On Amavasyas Shraadh is done to forefathers by Brahmins whose father has died earlier. Nowadays a short 20 minute version of the ceremony is done—offering black sesame and water as oblation to departed souls. This oblation is offered to father, grand father and great grand father - 3 levels. Then to mother, grandmother and great grandmother—3 levels. Similarly this is done to mother's side of the family also. If one of these persons are still alive, their name is skipped and the corresponding earlier generation person is offered oblation. Then a final oblation is offered to those anonymous souls which died and have nobody in their lineage offering oblation. These oblations are believed to give birth to good children without mental or physical challenges (so say the prayers in this function).

Amavasya List of 2014 :

 

Amavasya Date Month Week
Paush Amavasya 1 January (Wednesday)
Magha Amavasya 30 January (Thursday)
Phalguna Amavasya 1 March (Saturday)
Chaitra Amavasya 30 March (Sunday)
Vaishakha Amavasya 29 April (Tuesday)
Jyaishta Amavasya 28 May (Wednesday)
Ashadha Amavasya 27 June (Friday)
Shravana Amavasya 26 July (Saturday)
Bhadrapada Amavasya 25 August (Monday)
Ashwin Amavasya 24 September (Wednesday)
Kartik Amavasya 23 October (Thursday)
Margashirsha Amavasya 22 November (Saturday)
Paush Amavasya 21 December (Sunday)

 

 

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