Somvati Amavasya Festival Significance, Customs and Traditions
As per the somvati amavasya story. The New Moon Day or Amavasya occurring on any Monday is called Somvati Amavasya also known as Chaitra Amavasya, which has a literal translation.
Amavasya falling on samovar or Monday has special significance, and forefathers are worshiped on this day.
Every Monday is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is said that if Lord Shiva is pleased then all desires and wishes come true.
He grants long life to the husbands of the women, observing this fast. Apart from Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati and Tulsi Maiya are worshiped.
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Significance of the Somvati Amavasya Festival
यत्र योगेश्वर: कृष्णो यत्र पार्थो धनुर्धर: |
तत्र श्रीर्विजयो भूतिध्रुवा नीतिर्मतिर्मम ॥78॥
It is believed that a queen was fond of eating sweets. She consumed the sweet daily. But she would never accept that she had consumed the sweets. Instead, she would put all the blame on rats that come in the night and have sweets.
Rats were upset when they heard about it and wanted to take revenge. So, they decided to find a chance and lay a plan.
Story Behind the Somvati Amavasya Festival
One day the king’s guest visited the king and queen for a couple of days. The rats took the queen’s clothes and planted them in the guest’s bedroom.
The king came to know about this, and in anger, he abandoned the queen. The queen was very sad and was living in the jungle. She lit oil lamps every day to worship god and get back her king.
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One night King was travelling through the jungle. He saw the lamps and went to check. King overhears the lamps, talking about the innocence of the queen.
He accepts the queen and brings her back to his place. That night was Somvati Amavasya.
Another story states that there lived a moneylender who had seven sons and one daughter. All his sons were happily married. One day a monk visited this money lender.
He blessed all his daughters-in-law but didn’t bless her daughter. She shared this incident with her mother, who confronted the monk.
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He replied and left. Her mother then called a pandit, or priest who told her that her daughter had an ill fate. She was destined to become a widow soon.
Pandit then said that her ill fate would wade off if the washerwoman applied her vermillion or sindoor on her daughter’s forehead. The mother sends her daughter and youngest son.
They sat there thinking about how to cross the sea. That’s when they saw a snake taking all the babies of a vulture, as their mother and father had gone to fetch food.
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They saved the babies and in turn mother and father vultures agreed to help them find the washerwoman. They soon found the washerwoman.
The girl started staying with the woman. After a few months, the washerwoman was pleased with the girl and applied vermillion on her forehead.
The girl also fasted for Somvati Amavasya and her fate was reversed.
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Customs and Puja Ritual on Somvati Amavasya
As per the somvati amavasya story. The ritual to be followed for Somvati Amavasya is that one has to rise early that is at Brahma Muhurta which is two hours before sunrise and do mediation. After meditation, take a bath and wear clean clothes.
Bath is generally taken with Ganga water or by mixing some Ganga water in bathing water. Then do a Sankalp or vow to follow the fast with utmost sincerity. One has to also maintain celibacy on this day.
One has to offer prayers to Lord Surya or Sun God, which is also called Arghya. Then pray to Lord Shiv, Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha, and Lord Kartikeya.
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All the married women should follow fast and circumambulate the Peepal tree one hundred and eight times. Water and milk are given to the peepal tree. The procedures are described in Skanda Purana.
Men should perform the Shraddha ritual, which is paying tribute to the deceased forefather. It is also believed that philanthropic activities should be done. It is said that Anna Daan or donating food or any other form of donation should be done.
Oil and cotton are not used for Somvati Amavsya. The oil lamp shall be lit by ghee or clarified butter and raw thread of one hundred and eight counts.
Khandoba, an incarnation of Lord Shiva, is celebrated on this SomvatiAmavsya. On this day idols of Khandoba and Mhalsa are placed in palakhi. The palakhi or palanquin is carried from Gad Kot or the temple hill to the Karha River.
Lakh and Lkhs of devoted participation in this procession. On the river, the idols are ritually bathed. This is a big procession. Everyone is chanting “Yalkot Yalkot Jai Malhar”.
This festival is celebrated with a lot of pompous and enthusiasm. A lot of turmeric is used in the procession.
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Common Beliefs and Traditions with Somvati Amavasya
Many people say that women who do this fast on Somvati Amavasya shall be blessed with Akhand Saubhagya or their widowhood shall be taken away. It is also believed that women can ensure progeny if they follow this fast.
All the desires shall be fulfilled if this fast is followed. It is said that on Somvati Amavasya tarpan is done for deceased forefathers. It is to take blessings from them and wade off any ill fate.
This is believed that if one follows no speaking day then it is equivalent to a hundred-cow donation which is considered important by Hindus.
It is also believed that one hundred and eight circumambulation for the Tulsi plant takes away all the poverty. Omkar chanting on this day is considered fruitful.
As per the somvati amavasya story. This fast is believed to bring good luck and blessings from forefathers or deceased ancestors.
It is believed that Lord Brahma is present in the roots of the peepal tree while Lord Shiv is present in the trunk of the peepal tree and Lord Vishnu in the peak of the tree.
Special Food items prepared on Somvati Amavasya
One has to refrain from eating wheat, rice, lentils, or any tamasic food items such as garlic, or onion. Fruits, potatoes, sabudana, khichadi, curd.
The food to be eaten has to be very healthy and non-tamasic. Bhagar one of the vrat grains is not consumed this fast. Fruits to be consumed for the whole day to observe fast.
Somvati Amavasya Festival Significance: FAQ
Somvati Amavasya 2024 Date
Monday, 8 April 2024
What is somvati amavasya
The New Moon Day or Amavasya occurring on any of Monday is called Somvati Amavasya, which has a literal translation. Amavasya falling on samovar or Monday has special significance, and forefathers are worshiped on this day.
Every Monday is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is said that if Lord Shiva is pleased then all desires and wishes come true.
How to worship the peepal tree on Somvati Amavasya
All the married women should follow fast and circumambulate the Peepal tree one hundred and eight times. Water and milk are given to the peepal tree. The procedures are described in Skanda Purana.
It is believed that Lord Brahma is present in the roots of the peepal tree while Lord Shiv is present in the trunk of the peepal tree and Lord Vishnu in the peak of the tree.
Is Somvati Amavasya auspicious
As per Hindu ved puran somvati amavasya is the most auspicious. The New Moon Day or Amavasya occurring on any Monday is called Somvati Amavasya, which has a literal translation.
All the desires shall be fulfilled if this fast is followed. It is said that on Somvati Amavasya tarpan is done for deceased forefathers. It is to take blessings from them and wade off any ill fate.
What not to do on Somvati Amavasya
1. On Amavasya demons, evil spirits, ancestors, and ghosts become more active. These all are negative powers. So, we should avoid going outside at night near any isolated place.
2. Do not sleep after sunrise. Wake up and take a bath before the sun rises on this day.
3. Avoid any arguments on this day with anyone. If you do so then grace of the Fathers on this day. So, maintain a peaceful atmosphere on this day, especially at home.
What to do on somvati amavasya
1. Wake Up early before sunrise and take a bath.
2. This is believed that if one follows no speaking day then it is equivalent to a hundred-cow donation which is considered important by Hindus.
3. Take a bath if possible in the holy river like Ganga, Yamuna, or any other.
4. Offer water to the sun and chant the Gayatri mantra.
5. Do Rudrabhishek or Abhishek on Shiva linga.
6. Worship peepal tree with dhoop, deep & milk+water.
7. Men should perform the Shraddha ritual, which is paying tribute to the deceased forefather. It is also believed that philanthropic activities should be done. It is said that Anna Daan or donating food or any other form of donation should be done.
8. Cook puri, kheer & potato sabji and feed to cow. This is a ritual to appease our ancestors.
9. Offer food & clothes to the needy.
What to donate on somvati amavasya
Offer food & clothes to the needy.
What to eat on somvati amavasya
1. One has to refrain from eating wheat, rice, lentils, or any tamasic food items such as garlic, or onion. Fruits, potatoes, sabudana, khichadi, curd.
2. The food to be eaten has to be very healthy and non-tamasic. Bhagar one of the vrat grains is not consumed this fast. Fruits to be consumed for the whole day to observe fast.
Somvati Amavasya 2025 Date
Monday, 26 May, 2025
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