| Amavasya Amāvásyā | |
|---|---|
 Simulated image ofnew moon | |
| Genre | Natural phenomena |
| Frequency | Monthly |
Amavasya (Amāvásyā) represents thelunar phase ofnew moon in theHindu calendar. A calendar month ends on amavasya as per theamanta tradition of the Hindu lunar calendar.[a] VariousHindu beliefs and rituals are associated with the day.Hindu festivals includingDiwali are celebrated on the amavasya day of various months.
Amavasya is derived fromSanskrit wordsamā meaning "together" andvásya meaning "to dwell" or "cohabit", implying the conjunction of theSun and theMoon in the same ecliptic longitude.[4] It can also be interpreted as "no-moon day", derived fromna +ma +asya ("no" + "moon" + "there"), referring to the lunar phase when the Moon is not visible from theEarth.[5]
In the Hindu lunar calendar, each month has 29 or 30 days. The month begins on the next day after Amavasya (new moon) orPurnima (full moon) in theamanta andpurnimanta systems respectively. The amanta system is followed majorly in theSouth India and the purnimanta system inNorth India.[6] A month consists of two cycles–Shukla Paksha (waning moon) andKrishna Paksha (waxing moon), consisting of 15 days each. Days in each cycle is labeled as athithi, with each thithi representing thedifferent phases of the moon and repeating twice in a month.[7][8] Amavasya corresponds to the period when theMoon is within 12 degrees of angular distance from the Sun before theirconjunction.[9]
InHindu culture, Amavasya day is considered a time of significance to propitiate the Sun, the Moon and other Gods.[10] People observefasting on the day, with the belief that all desires could be fulfilled if one fasts on this Amavasya.[11] When the new moon day falls on aMonday, it is observed as Somvati Amavasya.[12] Married women observe fast and pray to lordShiva for the well being of their husbands.[13]
Amavasya is particularly associated with worship of ancestors (pitrs). People take holy dips in rivers and perform specialpujas. It is considered the time to perform rituals (Śrāddha) to the ancestors. Memorial rituals such astarpana, and offering of pinda (cooked rice and flour balls mixed withghee and blacksesame seeds) are performed for the oblation of the departed souls of the forefathers.[14]
The dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) of the month ofBhadrapada is known asPitru Paksha and is reserved for theveneration of the dead. The period ends on theMahalaya Amavasya day, on which Hindus pay homage to their ancestors through special offerings. As perHindu scriptures, it has been ordained that offerings made during this period benefit all the departed souls with the grace ofYama.[15][16][17]Kush Amavasya is observed on the same amavasya day of the month of Bhadrapada, during which people collect the sacredKusha grass which is used in various Hindu rituals.[18][19] In Southern state ofTamil Nadu, people perform rituals onAadi Amavasai, which falls in theTamil month ofAadi (July-August) and Thai Amavasai, which falls in the month ofThai (January-February).[20]
Diwali is a five‑dayHindufestival of lights marking the victory of light over darkness, or good over evil.[21][22][23]Lakshmi Puja, celebrated on the Amavasya of the month ofAshvin marks the important day of Diwali celebrations. It is dedicated to welcoming prosperity by worshippingLakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, andGanesha, the foremost god. People light lamps (diyas), burstcrackers, and do pujas.[24][25]
Shani Dev Jayanti is celebrated on Amavasya of the month ofJyeshtha. It is dedicated toShani (Saturn), one of thenavagrahas.[26] InGujarat,Dashama Vrata, dedicated toMomai, is observed on the Amavasya of the month ofAshadha.[27][28]Sohrai is aharvest festival celebrated by tribal communities inJharkhand andWest Bengal. Observed on Amavasya of the month ofKartika, it honourscattle, agricultural land and involves paying tribute to the ancestors, and community feasting.[29] Homes are cleaned and decorated, livestock bathed and offered special meals, and the walls of houses are adorned with Sohrai art.[30]