Amavasya is the day on which the moon is not visible during the night, hence the name "No Moon Day." Every 30 days, the Hindu calendar's Amavasya, or new moon day, occurs. It is extremely important in Hinduism, as many followers undertake ancestral rituals such as 'pitru daan' and 'pitru tarpan' (offerings to their dead ancestors).
In Hinduism, Amavasya is significant because it marks the start of Shukla Paksha, or the bright fortnight, of the lunar month.
Its a day to remember our ancestors and departed souls of the family by worshipping and offering (The offerings generally consist of nourishing rice balls called pinda pradaana) tharpanam (The word Tharpanam stands for "The offering that satisfies") and seek their blessings.
The day of Amavasya is considered inauspicious by many because this is the night when all activities related to black magic or evil spirits are more prominent, as it is believed that it is the night when the evil spirits are the strongest, some even avoid stepping out of their home on this night.
On this day, people even fast to keep all of these evil entities at bay and worship Lord Shiva fervently.
The practice of paying homage to one's ancestors is as old as humanity itself. The belief can be found all around the world.
It was practiced by the Chinese, as well as the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans.
The Muslims pay honor on Shab-e-Barat, while the Jews remember them during Passover.
Buddhists and Parsis both hold rites to honor their ancestors. The Parsi dawn prayer Hosh-Bam recalls the deeds of Iranian heroes of old, the names of whom are recited early in the morning.
Tribal groups revere ancestors who are imprisoned in forest tree trunks.
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Friday, July 9, 2021