🌑 Amavasya (ancestor tarpan, bath and charity) Vrat Katha
The story
The katha of Somvati Amavasya (the peepal circumambulation): a washerwoman blessed the youngest of a merchant's seven daughters-in-law 'may you always remain a married woman'; the daughter-in-law asked how — the washerwoman said 'on Somvati Amavasya circumambulate the peepal 108 times winding thread, then eat — that is how my marital fortune stays unbroken'; the daughter-in-law did so, and her husband was saved from snakebite/death (elsewhere: the widowhood yoga in a daughter's chart was cut by the Somvati vrat — the tale of Sona the washerwoman). The lesson — the peepal circumambulation on Somvati protects marital fortune and children.
Amavasya and the ancestors: Karna received 16 days for the ancestors' tarpan (Pitru Paksha), and in the Mahabharata Bhishma said Amavasya is the ancestors' tithi — 'on this day the ancestors come to the doors of their descendants, are satisfied with water and sesame and give blessings; if they return empty, a curse'; hence the tarpan on every Amavasya (Darsha). The churning of the ocean (Mauni) and Rama's return to Ayodhya (Kartika) also fell on an Amavasya — hence Amavasya is neither auspicious nor inauspicious, it is the day of the ancestors and gods.
Shanishchari Amavasya: Shani was born on Jyeshtha Amavasya (Shani Jayanti) — at odds with his father the Sun, but the god of Shiva devotion and justice; on Saturday + Amavasya the oil abhishek at Shani temples (Shingnapur-Tirunallar-Kokilavan), the peepal lamp and Hanuman worship lessen the pain of sade sati-dhaiya — folk belief; Shani is the giver of the fruit of karma, pleased by charity and service.
Why this katha — the significance
The ancestors' day: Garuda Purana/Manusmriti — on Amavasya the ancestors come in the form of wind to the doors of their descendants and wait for the tarpan; the Amavasya tarpan/shraddha is the monthly remedy for pitru dosha (the Sun with Rahu/Saturn in the chart); the Darsha shraddha (the Amavasya shraddha) is the most important after Pitru Paksha.
A moonless day — the mind (Moon) is weak, hence auspicious work (weddings, journeys, new beginnings) is postponed, but it is the best time for japa, austerity, charity, meditation (Mauni) and tantric/Kali sadhana; the peepal circumambulation on Somvati (Moon's day + Amavasya) brings marital fortune and children; pacifying Saturn on Shanishchari (sade sati-dhaiya), the crowds at Shani temples (Shingnapur-Kokilavan-Tirunallar).
The holy bath: the Amavasya bath in the Ganga-Narmada-Godavari-Sangam (Magha-Kartika-Vaishakha special), then charity — grain, clothes, sesame, water, a cow; water and a lamp for the peepal (Vishnu's abode) and Tulsi; in some regions no ploughing on Amavasya (rest for farming, a holiday for the bullocks — Bail Pola on Bhadrapada Amavasya).
How the katha is heard
- Hear or read the katha after the puja, before the aarti — the whole family sits together.
- The one keeping the vrat should listen with a calm mind; keep a lamp lit and a little akshat-flowers in hand.
- At the end, offer the flowers at the deity's feet and bow; share the prasad with everyone.
📿 Amavasya (ancestor tarpan, bath and charity) puja vidhi (step by step) →
Frequently asked questions
When is the next Amavasya? The Amavasya dates of {Y}?
Above are the date of the next Amavasya, the tithi window and shraddha muhurats (Kutup/Aparahna — Delhi) and the next 12 Amavasyas with month names and weekday specials (Somvati/Shanishchari) — by the udaya tithi rule; the tarpan on the day the Amavasya is present in the day (Aparahna) — see the tithi window.
What is Somvati Amavasya and what do women do?
An Amavasya falling on a Monday — 1-3 a year; married women keep a fast and circumambulate the peepal 108 times winding raw thread, offering fruit, sweets and coins, hearing the tale of Sona the washerwoman/the merchant's daughter-in-law, then eat — for the long life of husband and children and unbroken marital fortune; the holy bath (Haridwar-Prayag) bears special fruit; '(Somvati)' is marked in the list above.
What to do on Shanishchari (Shani) Amavasya?
The Saturday Amavasya — the best day for pacifying Saturn: a mustard-oil lamp at a Shani temple/peepal, the gift of black sesame-urad-oil-iron-black cloth (to the poor/sanitation workers), 'Om Sham Shanaishcharaya Namah' 108 times, the Hanuman Chalisa, the Shani stotra (by Dasharatha), the ancestors' tarpan alongside; special for those in sade sati-dhaiya; confirm first with a chart check (sade sati report).
How to do the tarpan without a priest?
Bathe and sit facing south, water and black sesame (and kusha) in a copper pot; releasing water over the thumb side say '(gotra) (father's/grandfather's name) tripyatam' 3 times each, then 'Sarve pitarah tripyantam'; finally kheer-roti for the cow and crow, grain for the poor — this is the simple Darsha tarpan; a woman may do it too (if there is no son); the full vidhi on the Pitru Paksha page.
What should not be done on Amavasya and why?
In the scriptures only auspicious sanskaras (weddings-mundan-housewarming) are forbidden — a moonless tithi, the mind weak; in folk custom new work, journeys and purchases are postponed, Tulsi is not plucked, no meat or liquor, avoid lonely places after evening; but it is the best day for japa, charity, tarpan and meditation — Amavasya is not 'inauspicious'.
Which Amavasyas are the big ones?
Magha — Mauni (the silent bath), Ashwin — Sarva Pitru (Mahalaya), Kartika — Diwali (Lakshmi puja), Shravana — Hariyali (saplings and swings), Jyeshtha — Vat Savitri/Shani Jayanti, Bhadrapada — Kushagrahani/Pithori/Pola, Chaitra — Bhutadi, Phalguna — Phalguni; Somvati-Shanishchari by weekday; all have pages on the hub.
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