When Amavasya occurs on Monday it is called Somvati Amavasya. This year it will be celebrated on April 08, 2024, Monday
September 02, 2024, Monday
December 30, 2024, Monday. This day becomes auspicious due to the coincidence of Monday and Amavasya Tithi. Worshipping and fasting on this day eliminates negativity and brings positivity in life.
What should be done on Somvati Amavasya
- Lord Shiva should be worshipped on the day of Somvati Amavasya.
- Raw milk and Gangajal should be used for Abhishek on Shivling.
- Arghya should be performed when the Sun rises on the day of Somvati Amavasya.
- Pipal trees should be worshipped on this day.
- Raw milk should be offered to the Pipal tree and white thread should be tied around it.
- A Dipak should also be lit in front of the tree.
- One should offer meals to Bhramins and also give Dakshina as per one’s capacity.
- On this day food items, clothes, etc. should be donated to the poor.
- Sesame seeds should also be donated on this day.
- The devotee should follow pure and Sattvik behaviour.
- The devotee should also follow Brahmacharya.
What should not be done on Somvati Amavasya?
- The devotee should avoid consuming salt on this day.
- Alcohol should not be consumed on this day.
- Eggs and non-vegetarian food items should not be consumed on this day.
- Illegal work should not be done on this day.
- One should not condemn anyone, tell a lie, gossip about anyone, etc. on this day.
- The devotee should also stay away from physical intimacy.
Shiva Puja on Somvati Amavasya
Monday is considered an important day for Shiva Puja. If Amavasya falls on this day, then Shivling Abhishek is performed and Shiv Puran is also read. Gangajal is used for Shivling Abhishek. After that, Panchamrit and other different items are offered to the Shivling. White clothes and white thread is used during the Shivling Puja. When one worships Lord Shiva on Somvati Amavasya then one is bestowed with good luck and all his/her wishes get fulfilled.
Worship Ancestors on Somvati Amavasya
There is an important tradition in Somvati Amavasya of thanking and respecting one’s ancestors. According to religious stories, when life ends a new journey begins. Our soul starts moving towards a different world. It moves from one level to another.
The responsibility of making this journey smooth lies on the shoulders of relatives of the departed. This is done by performing several rituals, donations etc in their name. This procedure is known as Shradh Karm. It is an expression of gratitude towards the departed souls.
On this day meals are offered to Brahmins and Pitra Shanti Puja is organized. Apart from this food is given to cows or crows. When we think of our ancestors and perform good tasks with them in our minds, we definitely get results from the same. Our ancestors’ souls are blessed by our actions.
When Puja is done and food is served in the name of our ancestors, we are blessed by them. However for some reason if it is not possible to serve the poor then in that case so long as one wishes well of the poor, performs Shradh and offers donations to the best of one’s capabilities in the name of the ancestors, the ancestors will certainly bestow their blessings.
Importance of Tarpan on Somvati Amavasya
On Somvati Amavasya, Tarpan is performed in which water, sesame seeds, and food are offered to the ancestors. Our ancestors are remembered on the day of Tarpan. On the day of Somvati Amavasya, one commemorates the departed soul and prays for their peace. Tarpan can also be performed the following way. One can put water, Akshat and sesame seeds in a vessel or in folded hands and recite the following line three times – ‘पूर्वजों आप तृप्त हो जाएं’and leave the Akshat and sesame seeds.
Somvati Amavasya Katha
Somvati Amavasya Katha goes like this – Once in a village, there used to be a poor Brahmin family, that Brahmin had a daughter. His daughter was a capable and talented girl. As she grew up, her father decided to get her married. He was not able to find a suitable boy for her. One fine day, a saint visited their home. The Brahmin girl served him nicely. Seeing her kind behaviour, the saint blessed her. The Brahmin couple informed the saint that they are worried about her marriage. On hearing this, he studied the girl’s palm and realised that it did not have a marriage line. The saint suggested a remedy.
The saint tells them that in a distant village there lived a lady named Sona. She lived with her son and daughter-in-law. She was a compassionate and religious lady. If their daughter serves her nicely and the lady gives her Sindoor in return then the daughter can get married. Following this, the Brahmin couple sends their daughter to her. The Brahmin daughter tells everything to the lady named Sona and asks her to let his daughter stay. She allows the Brahmin girl to stay. The girl impresses the lady and in turn, she gives her Sindoor and blesses her with a happy married life. This way the Brahmin girl gets married.