In this article we will learn about Somvati Amavasya. Importance of Somvati Amavasya, Tithi and Rituals.
What is Amavasya?
Amavasya means no moon day or new moon day. Whenever something or somebody becomes absent, through that absence, their presence always becomes more powerful. If you had a friend or a loved one who was with you, you never felt their presence so much. But the moment they disappear, you feel their presence so much – it is so powerful, isn’t it? Even on the emotional level, it is true.
You do not really feel their presence when they are around. Only when they are gone, the vacuum that they have left behind has become more powerful than their presence itself. Similarly with the moon, her absence makes her more present than ever before. On any other day, even the Pournami, she is there, but on Amavasya, the presence is felt even more – that quality is even more.
Importance of Amavasya Day
Generally, Amavasya is a dark moon day thence, this day evil spirit or Blackeye has more power, and the good spiritual power weaker than evil. So, during this day grandly, perform puja for all gods and offered the food to the crows. This day is most prominent in the worship of the shraddha ceremony, which is to invoke the ancestors on the day of all Amavasya days as well as you have to get a blessing from your ancestors and free from the Doshas and sins.
The Amavasya day is also a commensurate day to perform Kalasarpa Dosha puja. The Amavasya day is for the Pitru or ancestor soul to get the blessing from the Pitru. The holy day of Amavasya to perform the all shraddha puja near the river.
What is Somvati Amavasya?
Amavasya is the new moon day in the Hindu calendar and since it falls on a Monday it is called Somvati Amavasya.
The first Somvati Amavasya of the year 2023 will be observed on February 20
Importance of Somvati Amavasya :
It is believed that on this day, the spirits of the ancestors come down to earth to bless their descendants. Therefore, many people perform tarpan or pitru paksha, a ritual to honor their ancestors and seek their blessings. It is also a day to offer prayers to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu
Tithi Time
According to Panchang, the Phalguna, Krishna Amavasya
Begins – 04:18 PM, Feb 19
Ends – 12:35 PM, Feb 20
Somvati Amavasya Rituals
On Somvati Amavasya, devotees wake up early in the morning and take bath in a lake or river. And, if this is not feasible, one must mix Gangajal in bathing water and offer Arghya to the Sun after bathing.
Somvati Amavasya Puja Vidhi
According to Hindu mythology, it’s advised to light a lamp in the temple after taking a bath and then offer prayers to Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva.
Devotees should also meditate by chanting religious scriptures as much as possible on this day and make offerings and donations too.
Married women can observe fast on this day and offer prayers to the banyan tree for the healthier and longer life of their husbands, as per Hindu rituals.
Many also perform Rudrabhishek of Lord Shiva for peace and healthy life.
Amavasya Dates 2023 with Timings
| Tithi | Start & End Time |
| Amavasya tithi in January, 2023 (Mauni Amavasya, Shani Amavasya) | Jan 21, 6:18 am – Jan 22, 2:23 am |
| Amavasya tithi in February 2023 (Somvati Amavasya) | Feb 19, 4:18 pm – Feb 20, 12:35 pm |
| Amavasya tithi in March, 2023 (Bhaumvati Amavasya) | Mar 21, 1:47 am – Mar 21, 10:53 pm |
| Amavasya tithi in April, 2023 | Apr 19, 11:24 am – Apr 20, 9:42 am |
| Amavasya tithi in May, 2023 | May 18, 9:43 pm – May 19, 9:23 pm |
| Amavasya tithi in June, 2023 | Jun 17, 9:12 am – Jun 18, 10:07 am |
| Amavasya tithi in July, 2023 (Hariyali Amavasya, Somvati Amavasya) | Jul 16, 10:08 pm – Jul 18, 12:01 am |
| Amavasya tithi in August, 2023 | Aug 15, 12:43 pm – Aug 16, 3:08 pm |
| Amavasya tithi in September, 2023 | Sep 14, 4:49 am – Sep 15, 7:09 am |
| Amavasya tithi in October, 2023 (Mahalaya Amavasya, Shani Amavasya) | Oct 13, 9:51 pm – Oct 14, 11:25 pm |
| Amavasya tithi in November, 2023 (Somvati Amavasya) | Nov 12, 2:45 pm – Nov 13, 2:57 pm |
| Amavasya tithi in December, 2023 (Bhaumvati Amavasya) | Dec 12, 6:24 am – Dec 13, 5:02 am |
What not to do on Amavasya Day?
Days with religious significance have their own set of rules. Amavasya is one of the many such days which holds a significant place in Hinduism. It is a day dedicated to ‘pitru‘. As per the customs and culture, a few activities are considered inauspicious during Amavasya. Of the many things, the first is a broom. One is advised not to purchase a broom on the day of Amavasya. It is believed that purchasing a broom will upset Goddess Laxmi.
This will stop the flow of wealth in the house. It also invites negative energy in the house that eventually disturbs the health and wealth of the family. The second is intoxication. One should refrain from buying or having alcohol on the day of Amavasya. Consuming alcohol will invite negative energy, which can haunt the person and the family for a long time. Other activities to avoid includes eating non-vegetarian, purchasing pooja items, purchasing food grains & flours, plucking basil (tulsi) leaves, marriages, and other auspicious ceremonies.
What should we do on Amavasya?
Hindu customary rituals also speak of the activities that one can perform on the day of Amavasya to get rid of negative energies and hardships. Since it is a day dedicated to ‘pitru’, one should therefore perform Shradh to offer prayers to the dead family members and take their blessings. Secondly, planting trees and plants is also considered an auspicious act. Next is, making generous donations to someone in need. This attracts positive energy.
Also, it is believed that feeding five different fruits to cows and wheat flour balls to fish will usher good karma and prosperity in life. Meanwhile, some people also observe fasting on Amavasya to please the ancestors and gain good fortune.
Which god to worship on Amavasya?
Amavasya is considered a night when the evil spirits are the strongest. For this reason, no auspicious activity is performed on Amavasya. The belief is that if we start something new on this day, we might never get success in it. Goddess Kali and Lord Shiva are worshiped on this day to destroy the evil energies.
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