--> Skip to main content


How To Pray For Aadi Amavasai In Hindu Religion

By

Aadi Amavasai is a significant day in the Tamil calendar and occurs on the new moon day (Amavasya) in the Tamil month of Aadi (mid-July to mid-August). This day is primarily dedicated to performing rituals for the ancestors (Pitru Tarpanam) to honor them and seek their blessings. It's believed that offering prayers and rituals on this day helps the souls of departed ancestors attain peace and liberation (moksha).

Significance:

  • Aadi Amavasai is considered an auspicious day to pray for the ancestors, as it is believed their souls visit the Earth.
  • Offering rituals on this day helps remove ancestral curses (Pitru Dosha) and ensures prosperity and well-being for future generations.
  • It is also a time to offer gratitude for all the blessings received from the family line.

Key Rituals and Steps for Praying on Aadi Amavasai:

  1. Take a Purifying Bath:

    • Wake up early, before sunrise.
    • Take a bath in a sacred river or nearby water body. If that's not possible, add a few drops of Ganga water (Ganga Jal) to your bath at home.
    • Wear clean clothes (preferably white, which is associated with purity).

  2. Wear Traditional Clothes:

    • Men: Wear a white dhoti or traditional attire.
    • Women: Wear a simple saree or salwar kameez in light colors like white, off-white, or yellow.
    • White or light colors are generally preferred as they represent purity and peace.

  3. Perform Pitru Tarpanam (Ancestor Ritual):

    • Offer rice, sesame seeds, and water to your ancestors. This can be done at home or near a water body like a river or a temple tank.
    • Hold the offerings in your hands, facing south (the direction of ancestors), and offer them to your forefathers while chanting their names (if known) and the following mantra:
      Om Pitra Devaya Namah
    • After making the offering, you can also recite the "Pitru Stotram" or any other prayer that honors the ancestors.

  4. Lighting a Lamp and Offering Prayers:

    • After the tarpanam, light a lamp with sesame oil or ghee at home.
    • Offer flowers, sandalwood, and fruits to the deities and your ancestors.
    • You can also place a photo or representation of your ancestors for worship.

  5. Simple Prayers to Offer: Here are a few simple prayers that you can chant while performing the puja:

    Prayer for Ancestors:

    Om Pitru Devaaya Vidmahe
Jagat-dharyaya Dheemahi
Tanno Pitru Prachodayat

    Translation: "We meditate on the forefathers, who are the sustainers of the world. May they guide us towards righteousness."

    General Prayer for Peace:

    Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

    Translation: "May peace prevail."

  6. Ideal Deities to Worship on Aadi Amavasai:

    • Lord Shiva: Especially as Pashupatinath or as the embodiment of the Supreme Soul, Shiva is worshiped as the one who grants moksha (liberation) to departed souls. Offer milk, water, and flowers to a Shiva Lingam.
    • Lord Vishnu: He is the protector and sustainer of the universe. He is often prayed to during tarpanam as the guide to the departed souls.
    • Goddess Parvati: As the Mother Goddess, she can be prayed to for family welfare, protection, and blessings of long life and peace.
    • Goddess Lakshmi: As the goddess of prosperity, praying to her brings abundance and peace in the family.

  7. Offering Food (Shraddha Ritual):

    • Prepare simple vegetarian food and offer it to the departed souls before consuming.
    • It's ideal to prepare rice, vegetables, and sweets, and offer these to Brahmins or distribute them to the poor.

Aadi Amavasai Mantras:

  1. For Lord Shiva:

    Om Namah Shivaya

    Simple and powerful, this mantra is often chanted to invoke Lord Shiva's blessings.

  2. For Lord Vishnu:

    Om Namo Narayanaya

    This is the Vishnu mantra, chanted to seek his protection and blessings.

  3. For Ancestors (Pitru Mantra):

    Om Pitra Sukhaya Namah

    This is a simple mantra for peace and satisfaction of the departed ancestors.

Simple Puja Steps for Aadi Amavasai:

  1. Set up the Altar:

    • Place idols or images of Lord Shiva, Vishnu, and/or Goddess Parvati.
    • Keep a photo or remembrance of your ancestors.
    • Light a lamp and place fresh flowers, incense, and fruits.

  2. Tarpanam (Ancestor Ritual):

    • Perform the tarpanam ritual (as mentioned earlier) by offering sesame seeds, water, and rice balls (Pindam) while facing south.

  3. Offer Prayers and Mantras:

    • Chant the mentioned mantras while offering flowers, sandalwood, and sacred items to the deities and ancestors.

  4. Recite Sacred Texts:

    • Reading from the Garuda Purana or Bhagavad Gita, especially chapters related to liberation and peace for souls, is considered beneficial.

  5. Distribute Food and Charity:

    • After the puja, distribute food to the poor or offer dakshina (charity) to Brahmins, which is believed to bring immense blessings from your ancestors.

Rare and Relevant Facts:

  • Aadi Amavasai is a time when it is believed that the veil between the worlds of the living and the departed is thinnest, making it the most potent time for ancestor rituals.
  • Performing Shraddha (rituals for the ancestors) during Aadi Amavasai can nullify Pitru Dosha, a condition believed to occur when ancestral spirits are displeased or have unresolved issues.
  • Tharpanam rituals can also be performed during Thai Amavasya, another powerful day for ancestor worship in the Tamil calendar.

By performing these prayers and rituals with devotion, you not only express gratitude to your ancestors but also ensure peace, prosperity, and spiritual growth for your family and future generations.