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Somvati Amavasya: The term Amavasya refers to the last day of the moon in waning mode. Amavasya, or the no moon day, when the sun and the moon are in conjunction, is important for performing rituals for the departed souls in the family. Somvati Amavas or Somvara Amavasaya is a no moon day that occurs on a Monday as per the traditional lunar Hindu calendar. No moon on a Monday is considered auspicious by Hindus.
Date:
- 2024: 08 april, 2024 (Monday)
Importance of Somvati Amavasya:
Pitra puja or rituals to our ancestors in the family are performed on Somvati Amavasya. Many Hindus observe fasting on this day as it is considered to bring peace and welfare to the family. It is also a common belief that taking a bath in the holy rivers like Ganga (Ganges) on a Somvati Amavasya, especially at Haridwar or Triveni, will bring in prosperity and peace as well as a healthy life that is free from diseases, illness, grief and sorrows to an ardent observant of this auspicious day.
Somvati Amavasya Rituals and Celebrations:
On this day, it is a common sight to watch Hindu women worshiping the Peepal tree, which is considered as a sacred tree in India. The sacredness of a Peepal tree is attributed to the belief that the Hindu trinities – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiv (also called Trimuti) – dwell in this tree. Women tie holy threads dipped in turmeric and sandalwood paste around the trunk of the peepal tree. They perform circum-ambulation of the tree 108 times with folded hands. This ritual done by women is called Parikrama. On Somavati Amavasya, another common practice is to pour milk and water in the roots of the Peepal tree. They offer flowers, sandal paste, vermillion, turmeric, and rice (akshada) near the Peepal tree trunk. Ardent devotees of the Hindu Trinity sit under the Peepal tree and chant mantras to appease the Trimurti. Married women fast and pray for a long and healthy life of their husbands. Lord Shiva is particularly worshiped by married women on this day.
