Somvati Amavasya 2013 will come on 11th March, 8th July and 2nd December. There are total 12 Amavasya (New Moon) in this year. Amavasya is no moon day of the Hindu Lunar calendar. It is the darkest day of the month and many people observe a fast on this day. Somvati Amavasya is particularly considered very auspicious to perform Pitra Puja.
The significance of Somvati Amavasya was narrated to the eldest Pandava by Bhishma Pitamaha in the epic Mahabharata. It is believed that we can bring peace to our ancestor's soul by taking a Holy Dip on this day in the sacred River Ganga. Also, the Holy Dip wears away all our sorrows and helps us progress and prosper.
The Peepal tree is considered as a sacred tree as per the Indian traditions and on the auspicious day of Somvati Amavasya women tie a sacred thread around its trunk for 108 times. Parikrama around the tree is performed for 108 times and it is offered with milk, sandal paste, flowers and vermillion. Devotees sit under the Peepal tree and chant Mantras to please the Almighty.
Somvati Amavasya: The Legend
While celebrating Somvati Amavasya in 2013, it is good idea to know about the legend associated with it. As per the story of Somvati Amavasya, once upon a time there lived a money lender who had seven sons and one daughter. He married all his sons but could not find a suitable match for his daughter.
A monk visited their house regularly and blessed the money lender's daughters-in-law but never blessed the daughter. The daughter told her mother about this and she confronted the monk with this question. The monk did reply and left quietly. This really worried the mother and she called a Pandit.
The Pandit told her that her daughter was destined to become a widow. The girl's mother asked the Pandit for a solution to the problem. He told them that there was a washerwoman who lived on the island of Singhal. If that woman agrees to apply vermilion (Sindoor) on the forehead of the girl, her fate will change. The Pandit also told them that observing fast of Somvati Amavasya will also be instrumental in reversing her fate.
The mother sent her daughter and her youngest son to that island. On their way to the island they came across sea shore and wondered how to cross it. Sitting under a tree they saw a vulture's nest. A male and female vulture lived there with their babies. One day when both vultures had gone out of their nest to fetch some food, a snake entered their nest and attacked the babies. All this was being witnessed by the girl who was sitting there. She immediately jumped to help the vulture babies and saved them from the attack.
When the vultures returned they were really pleased to know what had just happened. As a token of their gratitude they helped the girl to reach the washer woman's house. After reaching her destination she started living with the washer woman.
After a few months the woman was really pleased with the girl and applied vermilion (Sindoor) on her forehead. While returning back to her house she also observed Somvati Amavasya. This reversed her fate and then she lived a happy married life with her husband.
Spiritual Importance of Somvati Amavasya
The darkness of Somvati Amavasya transcends into a beautiful morning which gives us hope that all our sorrows will go away. It also signifies that only after absolute darkness comes a light, which means that absolute despair gives birth to extreme happiness and bliss. Therefore we should not be afraid of the dark and be ready to face all the troubles that come our way.
Freedom from Pitra Dosha
It is believed that on this day married women fast praying for the long life of their husbands. They take Holy Dip in the Ganga and pray to the Almighty. Lord Shiva is worshipped on this day by all the married women of Hindu religion. This day is also very auspicious for performing Pitra Tarpan (offering to the ancestors) as it provides peace to their souls. People suffering from Pitra Dosh should also observe this fast as it frees them from it.
It is believed that observing this helps us get rid of all the sorrows and problems. We wish all of you a very happy Somvati Amavasya 2013!
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