AMAVASYA - The Pithru Thithi

As per Hindu Calendar there are 16 thithis (Lunar days) out of which 14 gets repeated twice in a cycle of 30 days starting from Prathipada (Paadyami) and ending with Chaturdasi. Other two thithis that occur once in a month are Pournami and Amaavaasya. Thus, there are 15 thithis in each fortnight one ending with Pournami called as Sukla Paksham (bright fortnight) and the other ending with Amaavasya called  Krishna Paksham (dark fortnight). Amaavaasya is also known as Darsha thithi. On this day of Darsha, Thila tharapana is given to forefathers. Chaturdasi overlapping with Amaavaasya is called as Sinivaali and Amaavaasya overlapping with Prathipada is called as Kuhu. Both are astrologically considered malefic. 

In a Lunar calendar year Amaavaasya occurs 12 times and of all the thithis Amaavaasya is given lot of significance in Hindu religion and spirituality.

Significance of Amaavaasya

Amaavaasya is the darkest day of the month. On this day Moon will not be visible and it is called as New Moon day or no Moon day. On the day of Amaavaasya both Sun and  Moon conjoin together. Solar Eclipse occurs on Amaavaasya Day.

Pithru Devathas are presiding deities of Amaavaasya Thithi.  Amaavaasya is the most favourite day for worshipping Pithru Devathas. Sacred rituals are performed for forefathers on the day of Amaavaasya. We also find people observing fast on Amaavaasya day.

People specially worship Goddess Durga; Lord Naarasimha; Lord Hanuman and Lord Saturn on Amaavaasya day to ward off the problem of evil spirits and other astro problems. Lord Sri Krishna’s Niryaana took place on Amaavaasya day.

While in general Amaavaasya is considered as inauspicious for starting any venture; as an exception we find in Tamil Nadu it is considered as auspicious. Tanthric remedies are performed on Amaavaasya day especially on Amaavaasya days coinciding with Sunday and Tuesday. 

Amaavaasya is the name given to Achhoda; Maanasa Puthrika (Mind born daughter) of Pithru Devathas.

Legend behind Amavasya Thithi (Matsya Purana)

There are seven Groups of Pithru Devathas viz. Vyrajas; Agnishwatthas; Barhishadas; Sukalas; Angirasas; Suswadhas and Somapas. Achhoda is Manasa Puthrika (Mind born daughter) of Pithru Devathas who had great devotion and respect for them. Once upon a time she performed a great penance targeting Pithru Devathas. Pleased with her prayers they appeared before her to give her a boon. When they appeared before her, Achhoda got fascinated towards one of the Pithru Devathas by name Maavasa. Due to this sudden reaction of hers, Achhoda was referred as Maavasya. As Maavasa did not show any counter reaction; Achhoda was later referred as Amaavasya. Because of this sudden passionate reaction, Achhoda lost her Divinity.

Sympathized with her condition and pleased with her penance; Pithru Devathas gave her a boon that thence forth she will become popular as Amaavaasya Thithi that will be a favorite day for Pithru Devathas. They also said that, whoever perform Pithru Kaarya on Amaavaasya day; Pithru Devathas will get immensely pleased; bestow them with sumptuousness.

It was a Divine Sankalpa that Achhoda took birth on the Earth in the 28th Dwaapara Yuga in the womb of a fish and was brought up by a fisherman called Vasu. She was called Mastya Gandha and later as Sathyavathi; who gave birth to Lord Vedavyaasa in a divine meeting with Sage Paraasara. Later she married King Shanthanu of epic Mahabharatha. 

Unique days of Amaavaasya

While Amaavaasya occurs every month; certain Amaavaasya days are unique and attained lot of spiritual and special significance. They are;

Somaavathi Amaavaasya

Amaavasya occurring on a Monday is called Somaavathi Amaavaasya. It is said that, significance and importance of Somaavathi Amaavaasya was explained to Dharmaraaja by Bheeshma Pithaamaha in Mahaabhaaratha. It is also said that who ever takes a dip in the holy rivers on this day would get freed from grief and sorrow. People also observe fasting on this day. It is dedicated to worship Lord Shiva on this day. Women observe this as a Vratha (austerity) for the longevity and happiness in their married life.

Mouni Amaavaasya

Mouni Amaavaasya occurs on Amaavaasya day in the month of Maagha Masam (January-February). It is derived from the word Muni, literally meaning an ascetic who practices silence. Fasting is observed on this day. Devotees do not talk to each other during the observance. It is considered highly meritorious to take bath in Brahma Sarovar at Kurukshethra; Ganges; Prayaaga; Haridwaar and Sethu (Indian Ocean) on this day. If it is coinciding with Monday it is considered to be of special significance and more meritorious.

Shani Amaavaasya

Amaavaasya occurring on Saturday is known as Shani Amaavaasya. Worship of Lord Saturn on this day with Thila Thailabhishekam and giving Black Sesame (Thila) seeds as charity is highly beneficial especially for those who are under the grip of Sade Sath, Astama Shani, and Ardhaastama Shani in Gochara or for those who are under the phase of Saturn’s Maha Dasa. If it is coinciding with Chaitra Masam it is considered to be still more sacred for worshipping Lord Saturn.

Mahaalaya Amaavaasya

It occurs on the last day of Pithru Paksham in Bhaadrapada Maasam. Mahaalaya Amaavaasya is considered as the Mother of all Amaavaasyas as it is the favourite day for performing sacred rites to forefathers. Maha means great; big; large and Laya means destruction. Mahaalaya means great destruction. It is said that on one of the occasions of Deva-Asura sangraama (war between Deities and Demons) large number of Devathas and Rushis had died at the hands of Raakshasas; starting from Bhaadrapada Bahula Prathama to Amaavaasya. This Mahaalaya (great destruction) is also known as Sasthrahatha Mahaalaya.  These Deities and Rushis are like our forefathers. It is befitting to worship departed souls during fortnight that coincides with Mahaalaya and perform sacred rites during that time.

Deepaavali Amaavaasya

This occurs on the festival day of Deepaavali; the last day of Lunar month Aaswayuja maasam. It is considered as most auspicious day to worship Goddess Maha Lakshmi on the night of Deepavali day.

Solar Eclipse & Amaavaasya

Solar Eclipse invariably occurs on an Amaavaasya Day. Any Eclipse time is said to be very sacred and celestial and entire period of Eclipse is called as Parva Kala (most sacred time). Any sacred rituals/rites performed during a parva kala will derive more merits than the one performed during ordinary times. Eclipse is the most opportune time to perform Snana (sacred bath); Prayer; Punascharana of Upadesa Manthra; Pithru Tharpana; and Charity. Chanting of Vedic manthras/sacred Sthothra during Eclipse will ward off the negative energy that gets activated during eclipse and protects one from all negativity. Sarva Pithru Tharpana should be performed with proper sankalpa during eclipse time (by those who have lost their parents) with black Thil (sesame) seeds.

Bheemana Amaavaasya

New Moon day (Amavasya) occurring in the month of Aashaada maasam is observed as Bheemana Amaavasya. On this day Women observe Vratha called Pathi Sanjeevani Vratha and worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi for the welfare of all the male members of the family in general and their husbands and brothers in particular. It is said that Skhaandha Puraana makes a reference of this Vratha and its significance.

Like that, Amaavasya occurring on Tuesday is called Bhouma Amaavaasya and on Sunday it is called Bhaanu Amavasya. Similarly Jyesta Bahula Amavasya is celebrated as Mannetthina Amavasya when Bullocks made up of mud are worshipped in households.

Thus, Amavasya thithi has attained lot of spiritual significance in Hindu religion and is popular as a Pithru Thithi.

Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu

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