Amavasya
Amāvásyā (
. Indian calendars use 30 lunar phases, called tithi in India.[1][2] The dark moon tithi is when the Moon is within 12 degrees of the angular distance between the Sun and Moon before conjunction (syzygy).[3] The New Moon tithi (called Pratipada or Prathama) is the 12 angular degrees after syzygy. Amāvásyā is often translated as new moon since there is no standard term for the Moon before conjunction in English.Meaning of Amāvásyā
In Sanskrit, "amā" means "together" and "vásya" means "to dwell" or "cohabit". It also means "na" +"ma"+"asya" meaning to "na" = "No, "ma"=Moon, "Asya"="There" in turn meaning to There is no Moon i.e., Moon is not visible.
In the pūrṇimānta māna
Few
In old Indian culture and beliefs, irrespective of religions, Amavasya is considered a time of great power. In Tamil, though Amavasai is commonly used in religious spheres, the pure Tamil scholars prefer the term Puthuppi Rai[5] Fast is observed to propitiate both the Sun and Moon Gods.[6]
Festive Amavasya
- Ganesh, the God of auspicious beginnings also known as the remover of obstacles, and then light deeyas (little clay pots) in the streets and homes to welcome prosperity and well-being.
Tradition and belief
Amavasya Somavati
An Amavasya falling on Mondays has a special significance. It is believed that a fast on this particular Amavasya would ward off widow-hood in women and ensure bearing of progeny. It is also believed that all desires could be fulfilled if one fasts on this Amavasya.[7]
Worship of forefathers (Pitra)
Every month, the Amāvāsyā day is considered auspicious for the worship of forefathers and
On Amavasyas, Shraadh is done to forefathers by Brahmins whose fathers have died. In modern times, 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, grandfather, great-grandfather, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. 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.
The dark fortnight of
Rameswaram
In Tamil Nadu, lakhs of People will make special Tharpanam (Oblation) in Rameswaram and other Holy theerthas on Thai Amavasai, Aadi Amavasai, Mahalaya Amavasai. Thai Amavasai comes in the month of Jan-Feb and is the 1st Amavasai after Uttranayana Punya Kaalam (Northern Journey of Sun). Aadi Amavasai comes in the month of Jul-Aug and is the 1st Amavasai after Dakshinayanam Punya Kaalam (Southern Journey of Sun). Pitru Paksh Mahalaya Amavasai comes during Navratri [8]
References
- ^ Most, Glenn W. Hesiod Volume 1: Theogony. Works and Days. Testimonia. Loeb Classical Library 57, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 2006.
- ^ Kolev, Rumen. The Babylonian Astrolabe. State Archives of Assyria Studies, Volume XXII, 2013.
- ^ Cole, Freedom. Amāvásya and Pratipad. Jyotish Digest, Vol XI, Issue II, April-Sep 2014
- ^ Hinduism Activity Tithi Calander. Archived 9 June 2021 at the Wayback Machine[clarification needed]
- ^ "Amavasya - Hindu New Moon | Glimpses of Divinity - A Hinduism Primer".
- ISBN 978-81-288-0155-6. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
- ISBN 978-81-7022-375-7. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
- ^ K, Kandaswamy. "Amavasya This Year - Amavasai Date & Time - Timings in IST". Live Trend. K Kandaswamy. Retrieved 28 August 2021.