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Significance of Amavasya In Hindu Religion - Spiritual Significance of Amavasya

Amavasya is the name of new moon night in Hindu religion. It is the first night of the first quarter of the lunar month. Since the moon is invisible on the day, Amavasya is also referred as no moon night. Amavasya holds great spiritual significance in Hinduism. Many Hindus choose this day to make offering (tarpanam) to the dead ancestors. There is also an ongoing debate whether Amavasya is auspicious or inauspicious.

The term ‘Amavasya’ is commonly used in all regional languages in India. The fortnight that starts with Amavasya is also referred as the Shukla paksha (bright half of the month). Mauni Amavasya in Hindu Magh month (January – February) and Mahalaya Amavasya in Ashwayuja (September – October) are highly auspicious. Similarly the Amavasya in Aadi month is of great importance in Tamil Nadu. The Amavasya in Karkidakam month is of importance in Kerala.

Positive Aspects Of Amavasya

Amavasya is associated with liberation or Moksha. The day is ideal for beginning spiritual journey. It is ideal for starting the internal cleaning process.

There is nothing to search outside and this is why it is no moon day. All we need to do is remove the dust of ignorance and feel the presence of the Supreme Truth inside.

Amavasya is associated with Shiva - he who opens our forcibly shut indoors to reveal the light of truth.

Spiritual Significance of Amavasya

What to do on Amavasya?

  • Remembering forefathers and ancestors - giving them water and food.
  • In some regions people observe partial fast (Upvas) or a complete fast on the day.
  • Complete silence - some devotees maintain complete silence on the day. It should not be a forced silence. There should be internal silence too. No point in not talking when the mind is constantly bickering and wandering.

Amavasya Superstitions

Thanks to mainstream Indian movies, Amavasya is considered the ideal day to perform black magic and evil acts. Since there is no moon, Amavasya night is pitch dark and this provides the ideal setting to invoke evil powers.

There are so many stories connecting the arrival of ghosts, rakshasas and goblins on Amavasya night.

It is also believed that souls of living beings that wander on earth become more active during Amavasya.

Earlier it was advised not to travel on an Amavasya night. The logic being that there is no moonlight and this could invite lot of hardship and danger.

Many astrologers advise against performing any important ceremony on the day as moon and important planets in Hindu astrology are not visible. In some regions, people do perform certain auspicious deeds on the day. But largely no new beginnings or important ceremonies are held on the day.

Trees are not cut in many regions on the day. Carpenters in certain regions do not work on the day.

Symbolically, the period from Amavasya to Purnima (full moon) is considered to be the gradual awakening and transcendence into the fullness. From darkness to the gradual realization of the Supreme Soul.