In Hindu religion, it is believed that keeping fast on Amavasya reduces many Doshas and improves longevity and prosperity.The Puja is done under the peepal tree. It is believed that Lord Vishnu resides in the roots of the peepal tree (Vishnu Vaas) , Lord Shiva resides in the stem (Shiva Vaas) and Lord Brahma resides in the other parts (Brahma Vaas).This is the reason why the peepal tree is considered sacred and is worshipped.

The fifteenth day of Krishna Paksha is known as Amavasya. In other words, this is the last date of Krishna Paksha. The Lord of this date is Pitridev. A person should observe Amavasya Fast especially to please ancestors. People also donate on this day to worship the ancestors Tarpan and also for their salvation.

Apart from this, Amavasya fast is considered more auspicious if it falls on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday in Anuradha, Vishakha and Swati Nakshatras. When these Yogas are formed during Amavasya, a person can obtain auspicious results through pilgrimages, recitation, and meditation. The day of Amavasya is said to be the day of control, worship, and meditation.

Types of Amawasya Vrat

Somvati Amavasya

Any Amavasya that falls on a Monday of any month is called Somvati Amavasya. It is very popular amongst married ladies. They keep the fast for the health and longevity of their husbands.

People also fast on this day for their ancestors or Pitra. Taking a holy dip in Ganga on this day helps a person cleanse all sins. If one can’t go to Ganga for a Snan one can bathe at home by mixing Gangajal with bathing water.

Taking a bath in holy water gives Punya equal to donating hundreds of Godaan.
People also bathe in the Brahma Sarovar at Kurukshetra. Some people keep Maun Vrat on this day

Amavasya Payovrat

Lord Vishnu is worshipped during this Vrat. This fast is observed for one year if started. The person observing this fast can drink only milk. One becomes free from mental sufferings if he/she keeps the fast until its assigned date. Besides this, the fast also makes a person financially strong.

Amavasya Vrat

Lord Shiva is worshipped during this fast. Lord Shiva reduces the sufferings of the person observing the fast. This fast is to be observed similar to the fasts mentioned above.

It is considered auspicious to offer articles to Lord Shiva on this day, especially those which are a favourite of Lord Shiva.These things include Bel Patthar and Bel Patra. A person's wish is fulfilled once this is done the only condition being he/she should have with full faith.

Amavasya Pitra Shanti Poojan

As Pitridev is the Lord of Amavasya Tithi, remedies for the pacification of ancestors are performed on this day. The people who have Pitridosha in their birth chart should bathe in the morning on the day of Amavasya and should prepare Kheer from milk. Then, they should offer this Kheer to their ancestors.

Influence of Pitridosha can be reduced by performing this remedy. After giving some Kheer to crows, virgin girls should consume it. Pitridosha can be reduced by performing this Poojan for a year. This worship helps in the progress of wealth, children and fortune.

Vrat Puja Vidhi

1. Offer water to Sun and Tulsi in the morning reciting Gayatri mantra for 108 times.


2. Offer water on the Shivling.


3. Offer rice to a cow


4. Place Tulsi at a peepal tree. Along with that offer curd, milk, sandal, black flax seeds, flowers, turmeric and rice. Wind a thread 108 times around the tree. Married ladies can hold Bindi, Mehandi, bangles, biscuits, chocolates while doing the rounds.


5. Offer home made Puri, Kheer and vegetable to ancestors and then consume same.


6. Donate clothing, food and sweets to poor.


7. Keep Maun Vrat or refrain from speaking on that day.

Vrat Story

A Brahman had a good family and was leading a happy life. He had a daughter of marriageable age and was worried about her marriage as he was not getting any proposal for her, although she was good looking, obedient and skilled with chores at home.

Once a Sadhu visited the Brahman. He was impressed with the daughter and blessed her with a long life.Her father shared his worry with the Sadhu. The Sadhu looked at the palm of the girl and noticed that there was no marriage line in her hand. This worried the Brahman even more. He requested the Sadhu for remedies that can change the fate of the daughter.

The Sadhu informed the Brahman that in a far off village there lived a lady by the name Sona. This lady worked as a washerwoman and was a very dedicated and truthful wife. The Sadhu requested the Brahman to send hi daughter to serve her. The Sadhu said once the washerwoman will be pleased with the daughter she will give the girl Sindoor and soon the girl will get married.

The next morning the Brahman sent her daughter to that lady’s house. The lady lived with her son and daughter in law. The Brahman’s daughter used to visit the lady’s house early in the morning and finish all the chores at the lady’s home without anybody’s knowledge.

The washerwoman assumed that her daughter in law is getting up early in the morning and doing all the work.One day the washerwoman spotted the brahman’s daughter and after enquired who she was. The Brahman’s daughter narrated the whole story to the lady.

The washerwoman was pleased. Having heard the girls story, she immediately applied Sindoor on the girl. On doing this her husband died. This incident occurred on a Monday, Somvati Amavasya day.

The Washer woman lady immediately rushed to the peepal tree. Although she didn't have any material with her, she held a few pieces of a brick and went around the peepal tree 108 times reciting the Gayatri Mantra. Almost instantly her husband returned to life and her joy knew no bounds

Later on the Brahman girl got married and lived happily. The washerwoman on the other hand used to regularly observe fast on Amavasya or the long life and prosperity of her husband. As a ritual married women observe this fast to pray for the long life and prosperity of their husband as well as family.