The Amavasya tithi is considered extremely auspicious among Hindus. On this day, Hindus perform several pujas and rituals. When Amavasya falls on a Monday, it is called Somvati Amavasya. In fact, Somvati Amavasya is considered the most auspicious of the Amavasyas by Hindus. It occurs once or twice a year. In 2024, Somvati Amavasya will be celebrated on 30th December 2024.
In this article, we describe the significance of Somvati Amavasya. As Somvati Amavasya falls on a Monday, it is often associated with Shiva. Hindus offer prayers to Lord Shiva on this day. Somvati Amavasya is also dedicated to the departed ancestors. Offering prayers to the departed ancestors holds special significance on Somvati Amavasya.
The literal meaning of Amavasya is described as there is no moon. The moon has a deep significance in astrology. The moon is said to rule the mind and thought. People with a weak moon tend to become pessimistic and develop depressive tendencies. They are often indecisive and may become volatile, trying to accomplish multiple tasks unreasonably.
It is believed that worships and donations (daan karma) performed on the day of Somvati Amavasya help in getting rid of the negative effects of the weak moon in one's horoscope.
It is considered a very auspicious day by Hindus. They take a holy bath in rivers like the Ganges and Yamuna. They also undertake various pujas and rituals on the day of Somvati Amavasya.
IMPORTANCE OF SOMVATI AMAVASYA
In fact, the significance of Somvati Amavasya was narrated to Yudhishthira, the eldest of the Pandavas, by Bhishma Pitamah in the epic Mahabharata. After the Kurukshetra War, Yudhishthira was worried about the Kuru-Pandava dynasty. He turned to Bhishma Pitamah for advice on how to revitalize the dynasty for generations to come.
Bhishma advised Dharmaraj Yudhishthira to observe the Somvati Amavasya Vrata. He told him that whoever observes the Somvati Amavasya Vrata would have long and noble children. He also told Yudhishthira that taking a holy dip in the holy rivers helps devotees get rid of their various problems.
It is also believed that during the Somvati Amavasya, taking a holy dip in the holy Ganges brings peace to our departed ancestors and washes away all our sorrows and sins. According to Hindu traditions, the Peepal tree is considered very sacred. Offering prayers to the Peepal tree holds special significance on the auspicious day of Somvati Amavasya.
Married Hindu women tie a sacred thread around its trunk 108 times. They perform Parikrama around the Peepal tree 108 times, offering milk, flowers, sandalwood paste and vermilion. They sit under the Peepal tree and chant mantras to please the Almighty. Married women also observe a complete fast on the auspicious day of Somvati Amavasya for the long life of their husbands.
Even women who are looking for a good partner also fast on Somvati Amavasya. In fact, people worship Lord Shiva by offering milk mixed with water to the Shiva Lingam.
SHIVA LINGAM
Somvati Amavasya is also important for performing Pitra Tarpan (offering to ancestors) as it brings peace to their souls. It is believed that people suffering from Pitra Dosha should fast on this day as it frees them from this Dosha. Dhyan, Daan, Jaap and Sadhna performed during Somvati Amavasya help to get rid of all problems and sorrows.
SOMVATI AMAVAS VRATA KATHA
Once upon a time there was a moneylender who had seven sons and one daughter. Although he had married all his sons, he did not find a suitable suitor for his daughter. This greatly distressed the moneylender and his wife. A Sadhu used to visit his house regularly. The Sadhu used to bless the daughters-in-law but never blessed the daughter.
The daughter told her mother about it. She asked the Sadhu. However, the Sadhu did not answer and quietly left. This worried them a lot and they called a Pandit. The Pandit consulted the daughter's Kundali and said that the daughter was destined to become a widow.
The mother then implored the Pandit to find a solution to the problem. The Pandit told them that there was a washerwoman who lived on Singhal Dweep. If this woman would agree to apply Sindur (vermilion) on the girl's forehead, her destiny would surely change for the better.
He also told the girl that she should observe Somvati Amavasya Vrata after that. This would help to overcome destiny. The mother then sent her daughter along with the younger son to that island. On their way to the island, they came to the seaside and wondered how to cross it.
They sat under a tree and saw a vulture's nest. A male and a female vulture lived there with their babies. One day, a snake entered their nest and attacked the babies.
The girl witnessed the scene and immediately jumped down to save the baby vultures from the snake. She killed the snake and freed the vultures from their misfortune.
This generous act delighted the vultures, who helped the girl and her brother cross the sea and reach the island. She finally reached the washerwoman's house. She then served the washerwoman for several months. The washerwoman was delighted with the girl and applied Sindoor on her forehead.
On returning home, the girl observed the Somvati Amavasya Vrata. This reversed her fate. She got married and lived a happy life with her husband.
REMEDIES FOR PITRA DOSHA ON SOMVATI AMAVASYA DAY
Somvati Amavasya is considered a special day to get rid of Pitra Dosha in your horoscope. You can offer water to the Peepal tree on this day and recite the mantra, Om Namoh Bhagwate Vasudevaya. You should offer sweet water, sweets (white) or kheer and Junau to the Peepal tree on this day.
You should go around the Peepal tree 108 times and seek forgiveness from God for your known and unknown sins. Giving bread to crows on this day is also very beneficial.
According to the Shastra, our ancestors come to our house on the day of Amavasya. So, one should donate on the day of Somvati Amavasya according to his means. You should also give five fruits to the cow on this day. The first bite of your food should be offered to a cow in the name of the ancestors. If one performs these religious acts, one is blessed by them.
WHAT TO DO ON SOMVATI AMAVASYA DAY
Apart from the above remedies for Pitra Dosha, you can also do the following to get rid of your sorrows and problems on the day of Somvati Amavasya.
- You can donate food to poor children.
- You should worship Shiva and Vishnu.
- You should fast on this day.
- You should worship the Peepal tree in the morning. You should go around the Peepal tree 108 times.
- Practicing Mauna Sadhna (staying silent) is considered very beneficial on this day.
- You should take a bath in a holy river like the Ganges. It brings peace and prosperity and relieves one from sorrow, pain and grief. It helps the ancestors to attain salvation.
- You can also go around the Tulsi plant 108 times.
- You should chant the mantra of Shani dev: Om Nilaanjana Samaabhasam, Ravi Putram Yamagrajam. Chaya Martanda Samhubhutam, Tama Namami Shanescharam.
Bhandara Festival in Jejuri
Somvati Utsav, also known as the Bhandara Festival, is a unique golden turmeric powder (Bhandare) festival dedicated to a local deity, Khandoba, who is often considered a family deity. A newly married couple must go to the Khandoba temple in Jejuri to celebrate their marriage. Among believers, Khandoba is also known as the god of fertility, which is why some couples visit the temple to make a wish for a child.
Jejuri, also known as Sonyachi Jejuri (Golden Jejuri), gets its name from the golden hue of turmeric that fills the air during the festival. Somvati Utsav is unique not only for its turmeric hue but also for its unpredictable timing.
The festival is not bound to a fixed date, season or month. It is determined solely by the occurrence of a new moon day falling on a Monday, which can happen multiple times a year and at any time of the year. The best way to track the festival is to track the dates of Somvati Amavasya (moonless day falling on a Monday).
Khandoba, considered the God of Jejuri, is probably the most versatile and widely recognized deity, worshipped across many castes, religions and communities. The god is also considered non-vegetarian, so many devotees offer goat meat to him.
The festival begins with a yatra (procession) of the deity's idol, culminating with its immersion in the nearby Karha River. To reach the temple, participants pass through seven arches and descend a series of steps. During the festival, devotees engage in a variety of religious rituals, some of which involve self-torture. These acts are performed in a state of trance, demonstrating the devotees' insensitivity to pain during this time. This unique practice is a testament to the deep faith and devotion of the festival participants.
The Bhandara festival has different meanings for devotees of different sects, but they are united by the use of turmeric in their celebrations. Many believe that turmeric symbolizes gold and prosperity, which they seek from their lord.
Traditional depictions of Khandoba often portray him as a descendant of the Sun God, with ancient paintings showing him holding a bowl of turmeric on a white horse. His idols typically depict him as a four-armed deity with a bhandara-patra (bowl of turmeric) in one hand.
Although depictions of Khandoba may vary, all devotees believe in his power to unite, rejuvenate and enliven life. This shared belief transforms a gathering of thousands into a harmonious and peaceful celebration.
