Significance of Amavasya

Amavasya, or Amavasi, is the name of new moon night in Hindu religion. It is the first night of the first quarter of the lunar month. Since the moon is invisible on the day, Amavasya is also referred as no moon night. Amavasi holds great importance in Hinduism. Many Hindus choose this day to make offering (tharpanam) to the dead ancestors. There is also an ongoing debate whether Amavasya is auspicious or inauspicious. The term Amavasya is commonly used in all regional languages in India. The fortnight that starts with Amavasya is also referred as the Shukla paksha (bright half of the month). Mauni Amavasya in Hindu Magh month (January February) and Mahalya Amvasya in Ashwayuja (September  October) are highly auspicious. In some regions people observe partial fast (Upvaas) or a complete fast on the day. Thanks to mainstream Indian movies, Amavasya is considered the ideal day to perform black magic and evil acts. Since there is no moon, Amavasya night is pitch dark and this provides the ideal setting to invoke evil powers. Earlier it was advised not to travel on an Amavasya night. The logic being that there is no moonlight and this could invite lot of hardship and danger. Many astrologers advise against performing any important ceremony on the day as moon and important planet in Hindu astrology is not visible. In some regions, people do perform certain auspicious deeds on the day. But largely no new beginnings or important ceremonies are held on the day. Symbolically, the period from Amavasya to Purnima (full moon) is considered to be the gradual awakening and transcendence into the fullness. From darkness to the gradual realization of the Supreme Soul. According to the Vishnu Dharma Shastra, Amavasya is the day for the pitrus, or souls of the forefathers. This day is dedicated to the remembrance or worship of the forefathers. The Legends elucidates it in a story of Acchoda. Acchoda Acchoda, was the mentally conceived daughter of the Barhishadhas. Barhishadhas are those who live on the divine soma juice. Acchoda did not have a father, so she constantly desired for a real father. As a result of her yearning for a mortal She lost all her divine and yogic powers and fell from Heaven.   Pitru loka While she was falling she prayed to be saved. The souls from the pitru loka (the world of the forefathers) heard her appeal, when she was passing through their pitru loka. They immediately came to her rescue. After hearing her story, they advised her to be born as King Amavasu's daughter. King Amavasu was a radiant, prudent and erudite man. Later on things occurred as the pitrus formulated. Acchoda in the mean time regained her powers. In order to show her gratitude to the humble Pitrus a ceremony was conducted by Acchoda for the Pitrus.   King Amavasu Amavasya is named after King Amavasu. And the custom of honoring our forefathers continues till this date. This custom is called as pitru karma. Pitru Karma is a plea by this generation to their forefathers to eliminate and safeguard them from any impediments. It is also a way to get blessing from their forefathers. Poorna kriya Amavaysa is also known to be significant for many reasons. People conduct poorna kriya on Amavasya. This is generally connected with the birth of twins. This ceremony brings contentment and tranquility to the twins. Somavati Amavasya Somavati Amavasya or Somavara Amavasya is associated with the new moon which occurs on a Monday. Monday or Somawar is a moon's day. It is an auspicious day for observing the somavara Amavasya Vrata or fast, for the longevity of their spouses.   Saamba Parameshware Pooja According to the Puranas Shiva is supposed to be worshipped through the Saamba Parameshware Pooja since the moon stopped it's waning process when it came near Shiva, endangering the lives of those who meditate on him. Contradictory to the fact that those who worship the Surya (sun) recognize Amavasya to be powerful and auspicious, while moon-worshippers understand the day as unsuitable