Amavasai
Amavasai means New moon day (or no moon day). In Hindu religion Amavasai holds great importance, because most Hindu festivals are celebrated according to lunar month. People fast, go to temples and give tharpanam to ancestors on Amavasai. Praying to Lord Shiva on this day is considered auspicious.
Amavasai is the last day of lunar month. On this day Earth, Moon and Sun are positioned in a line. Moon sits in between Sun and Earth and this makes the Moon invisible.
Legend of Tharpanam
Acchoda was the mentally conceived daughter of the Barhishadhas. Barhishadhas are those who live on the divine soma juice. Acchoda did not have a father, so she constantly desired for a real father. As a result of her yearning for a mortal she lost all her divine and yogic powers and fell from Heaven. While she was falling she prayed to be saved. The souls from the pitru loka (the world of the forefathers) heard her appeal, when she was passing through their pitru loka. They immediately came to her rescue. After hearing her story, they advised her to be born as King Amavasu’s daughter (Amavasya is named after King Amavasu). Later on things occurred as the pitrus formulated. Acchoda in the meantime regained her powers. In order to show her gratitude to the humble Pitrus a ceremony was conducted by Acchoda for the Pitrus. And the custom of honoring our forefathers continues till this date. This custom is called as Pitru karma. Pitru Karma is a plea by this generation to their forefathers to eliminate and safeguard them from any impediments. It is also a way to get blessing from their forefathers.
Significance of Amavasai/Adi Amavasai/ Thai Amavasai
Every Amavasai is considered good for spiritual practices and for giving tharpanam (offering). Among all the Amavasai days Mahalaya Amavasai, Adi Amavasai and Thai Amavasai are considered most powerful for giving tharpanam.
Adi Amavasai: Tamil month Adi (usually falls in Jul – Aug) is highly auspicious. God showers his blessings on Earth during this month. On this day both Sun and Moon reside in the constellation ‘Cancer’ the zodiac sign for Moon, so it is considered very auspicious. Sun transits from Northern hemisphere to the Southern during Adi month (July) so any worship observed during this time yields great benefits. Giving tharpanam for Ancestors on Adi Amavasai helps their souls to attain salvation.
Thai Amavasai: Tamil month Thai falls in Jan/Feb. The transition of the Sun from Southern to the Northern hemisphere happens in Thai month. Due to this Thai Amavasai is considered auspicious. On Thai Amavasai, Sun and Moon will be in constellation ‘Capricorn’, which is ruled by Saturn. So the energy of Saturn is favorable to remove karmic blockages during this time. By doing prayers on Thai Amavasai, one can dissolve karma rapidly. Giving tharpanam to ancestors on this day will free a person from debts, money related issues, health and relationship issues. Feeding poor on the name of ancestors on Thai Amavasai relieves them from curses. It purifies the mind of unwanted desires and brings prosperity and long life to the family.
Spiritual Significance of Amavasai
Moon has effect on human mind and thoughts. Since moon is absent on Amavasai day, there is a possibility of increased vulnerability on this day. Negative thoughts increase and mind works slowly. Rajas & Tamas characteristics dominate our nature during this time. By performing some spiritual practices (i.e. meditation, going to temple, fasting etc.) one can overcome these negative effects. Symbolically, the period from Amavasai 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. According to Garuda Purana (Preta Khanda), Lord Vishnu is believed to have said that the ancestors come to their descendants on Amavasai to partake of their food. People give tharpanam (offering) to ancestors (pithrus) on Amavasai day. Scriptures say the world of ancestors (pitru loka) is supposed to be on the unseen side of moon and on Amavasai day that portion gets exposed to the Sun. So when we give tharpanam before noon on Amavasai day it will reach ancestors easily. Blessings of ancestors help us to overcome problems in life.
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