Template:Infobox recurring event Amavasya (Template:IAST) represents the lunar phase of new moon in the Hindu calendar. A calendar month ends on amavasya as per the amanta tradition of the Hindu lunar calendar.Template:Efn Various Hindu beliefs and rituals are associated with the day. Hindu festivals including Diwali are celebrated on the amavasya day of various months.
Etymology
Amavasya is derived from Sanskrit words amā meaning "together" and vásya meaning "to dwell" or "cohabit", implying the conjunction of the Sun and the Moon in the same ecliptic longitude.[1] It can also be interpreted as "no-moon day", derived from na + ma + asya ("no" + "moon" + "there"), referring to the lunar phase when the Moon is not visible from the Earth.[2]
Description
In the Hindu lunar calendar, each month has 29 or 30 days. The month begins on the next day after Amavasya (new moon) or Purnima (full moon) in the amanta and purnimanta systems respectively. The amanta system is followed majorly in the South India and the purnimanta system in North India.[3] A month consists of two cycles– Shukla Paksha (waning moon) and Krishna Paksha (waxing moon), consisting of 15 days each. Days in each cycle is labeled as a thithi, with each thithi representing the different phases of the moon and repeating twice in a month.[4][5] Amavasya corresponds to the period when the Moon is within 12 degrees of angular distance from the Sun before their conjunction.[6]
Tradition and beliefs
In Hindu culture, Amavasya day is considered a time of significance to propitiate the Sun, the Moon and other Gods.[7] People observe fasting on the day, with the belief that all desires could be fulfilled if one fasts on this Amavasya.[8] When the new moon day falls on a Monday, it is observed as Somvati Amavasya.[9] Married women observe fast and pray to lord Shiva for the well-being of their husbands.[10]
Amavasya is particularly associated with worship of ancestors (pitrs). People take holy dips in rivers and perform special pujas. It is considered the time to perform rituals (Śrāddha) to the ancestors. Memorial rituals such as tarpana, and offering of pinda (cooked rice and flour balls mixed with ghee and black sesame seeds) are performed for the oblation of the departed souls of the forefathers.[11]
The dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) of the month of Bhadrapada is known as Pitru Paksha and is reserved for the veneration of the dead. The period ends on the Mahalaya Amavasya day, on which Hindus pay homage to their ancestors through special offerings. As per Hindu scriptures, it has been ordained that offerings made during this period benefit all the departed souls with the grace of Yama.[12][13][14] Kush Amavasya is observed on the same amavasya day of the month of Bhadrapada, during which people collect the sacred Kusha grass which is used in various Hindu rituals.[15][16] In Southern state of Tamil Nadu, people perform rituals on Aadi Amavasai, which falls in the Tamil month of Aadi (July–August) and Thai Amavasai, which falls in the month of Thai (January–February).[17]
Festivals
Diwali is a five‑day Hindu festival of lights marking the victory of light over darkness, or good over evil.[18][19][20] Lakshmi Puja, celebrated on the Amavasya of the month of Ashvin marks the important day of Diwali celebrations. It is dedicated to welcoming prosperity by worshipping Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, and Ganesha, the foremost god. People light lamps (diyas), burst crackers, and do pujas.[21][22]
Shani Dev Jayanti is celebrated on Amavasya of the month of Jyeshtha. It is dedicated to Shani (Saturn), one of the navagrahas.[23] In Gujarat, Dashama Vrata, dedicated to Momai, is observed on the Amavasya of the month of Ashadha.[24][25] Sohrai is a harvest festival celebrated by tribal communities in Jharkhand and West Bengal. Observed on Amavasya of the month of Kartika, it honours cattle, agricultural land and involves paying tribute to the ancestors, and community feasting.[26] Homes are cleaned and decorated, livestock bathed and offered special meals, and the walls of houses are adorned with Sohrai art.[27]
See also
Notes
References
- ↑ What is Amāvaśyā?(December 2024). Retrieved 1 June 2025.
- ↑ Why do we call new-moon day 'Amavasyā'?(8 December 2021). Retrieved 1 June 2025.
- ↑ Hindu calendar. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
- ↑ Hindu calendar. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
- ↑ Hesiod Volume 1: Theogony Works and Days{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Harvard University Press(2006)
- ↑ Amāvásya and Pratipad. Jyotish Digest({Template:Date).
- ↑ Garuda Purana{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Diamond Pocket Books(2002). ISBN 978-81-288-0155-6
- ↑ Encyclopaedia of the Hindu World: Ak-Aq{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Concept Publishing Company(1992). ISBN 978-81-7022-375-7
- ↑ SomvatiAmavasya – The Sacred Significance and Observances(10 December 2024). Retrieved 1 June 2025.
- ↑ Somvati Amavasya 2024: Date, Time and Puja Vidhi(8 April 2024). Retrieved 1 June 2025.
- ↑ SomvatiAmavasya: The Day to Honour Ancestors and Seek Liberation(4 March 2019). Retrieved 1 June 2025.
- ↑ Pitru-Paksha – a fortnight of venerating and honouring our ancestors. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ↑ Significance of Pitru Paksha, Shraaddh and Tarpan. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ↑ What is Purnima Shradha. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ↑ Kusha Grahani Amavasya. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ↑ Bhadrapada Amavasya 2025 Date, Puja, Significance. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ↑ Aadi Amavasai 2024: Importance and Rituals in Tamil Nadu. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ↑ Deepavali. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
- ↑ How and why Do Hindus Celebrate Divali?{{#if:Mead|, Mead}. Evans Brothers(February 2008). ISBN 978-0-237-53412-7
- ↑ Celebrate Diwali{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. National Geographic Society(2008). ISBN 978-1-4263-0291-6
- ↑ Happy Diwali: Deepavali, Kali Puja, Naraka Chaturdasi, Ramayana, The Legends Linked To Diwali. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
- ↑ Diwali 2025: Five Days of Lights, Legends and Rituals(31 October 2024). Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ↑ Shani Jayanti 2025: Date, rituals, significance and top Shani Dev temples in India. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
- ↑ Dashama Vrata. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ↑ Dashama Vrat 2025: Date, Puja Vidhi and Significance. The Times of India(25 July 2025). Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ↑ Sohrai – A tribal festival celebrating cattle & nature(2 February 2023). Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ↑ Sohrai Festival. Retrieved 29 October 2025.