Amabasya Dates 2025

Amavasya, also known as the New Moon day, marks the end of the Krishna Paksha (waning phase of the moon) in the Hindu lunar calendar. It's the day when the moon is not visible from Earth, symbolizing a time of darkness.

Why is Amavasya Observed?

• Spiritual Significance: Amavasya is considered a powerful time for spiritual practices. The absence of moonlight is seen as an opportunity for introspection, meditation, and connecting with one's inner self or the divine.
• Pitru Paksha: Amavasya is particularly significant for performing rituals for ancestors. It's believed that ancestors visit the earth during this time, and offerings (Shraddha or Tarpan) made to them can bring peace to their souls and blessings to the living.
• Transition and Renewal: The day symbolizes the end of one cycle and the beginning of another, making it an apt time for rituals that signify renewal, like starting new ventures or spiritual practices.
• Astrological Influence: In astrology, Amavasya is thought to be a time when the planets' influences are at their peak, affecting human life, hence many perform remedies or rituals to mitigate negative influences.

How is Amavasya Observed?

Fasting: Many Hindus observe a fast on Amavasya, which can vary from complete fasting to abstaining from certain foods like grains, believing it purifies the body and mind.

Tarpan and Shraddha: Tarpan involves offering water, sometimes mixed with black sesame seeds, to ancestors, often done by pouring it into the ground or into rivers, especially at holy places like Ganga in Varanasi. Shraddha rituals are performed to honor and give peace to departed souls, including offerings of food, clothing, and charity in the name of ancestors.

Charity: Giving to the poor or performing acts of charity is considered highly meritorious on Amavasya, believed to benefit both the giver and the ancestors.

Puja and Prayer: Devotees might visit temples or perform home rituals dedicated to deities like Lord Shiva or Maa Kali, who are associated with darkness and transformation. Chanting mantras, especially those for liberation of souls or for personal spiritual growth, is common.

Meditation and Yoga: Since Amavasya is considered a potent time for spiritual practices, many engage in meditation, yoga, or other forms of spiritual discipline to harness this energy.

Avoidance of Negative Activities: It's a day to avoid starting new ventures, performing surgeries, or engaging in activities that could be considered inauspicious, focusing instead on spiritual upliftment.

Special Amavasyas: Certain Amavasyas like Somvati Amavasya (when it falls on a Monday) or Mahalaya Amavasya have specific rituals or heightened significance, with larger gatherings for ancestral rites.

The observance of Amavasya can vary greatly by region and personal or family tradition, but the underlying themes of spiritual purification, remembrance of ancestors, and preparation for new beginnings remain central to its observance.