Amavasya of the Bhadrapada month is called Pithori Amavasya. This year it will be celebrated on 03 September 2024. Snan and charity on the day of Pithori Amavasya have special importance. Holy rivers and shrines are visited on this day. The moon does not appear during Amavasya Tithi due to which the earth becomes darker.
Pithori Amavasya has been celebrated in some form or the other throughout the country. This practice has been going on since ancient times. One or the other mythological stories are connected to this day and definitely leave their impact on some aspect of life. In Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Pithori Amavasya is called Polala Amavasya. Goddess Poleramma is worshiped on this day in South India. Goddess Poleramma is considered to be another form of Mata Parvati. On the occasion of Pithori Amavasya, married women observe this fast for their children and husband. This festival is celebrated in the name of Bhadrapada Amavasya or Kushagrahani Amavasya in Northern India.
Pithori Devi Parvati Pujan
On Pithori Amavasya, especially pregnant women observe a fast to protect their children. The couple who wishes to have children, also worship Mother Parvati on this day. In Parvati Puja, new clothes, ornaments related to married women are presented to the mother. The place of worship is decorated with flowers. On observing the fast on this day, children are bestowed with a bright future. The ancestors of the house attain peace and happiness.
Observe Grah Shanti on Pithori Amavasya
The virtuous fruit of Pithori Amavasya fast is manifold. Debts and sins are eliminated on observing this fast. Progeny improves and children are blessed with happiness. Projects facing obstacles get completed. One gets mental peace. One gets relief from the ill effects of malefic planets. If there is Pitra Dosha in the horoscope, there is an obstacle in marriage or hindrance in conceiving a child.
On the day of Pithori Amavasya, one must get up and take a bath in the Brahma Muhurta. Water is offered to the sun at the time of sunrise. On this day, charity should be done in the name of forefathers. Pind Daan and Tarpan should be done. Halwa Puri should be made and should be distributed amongst the poor. One should pray for the prosperity of the family.
Yogini Puja should be done. After carrying out the Puja by observing all the rituals Aarti is performed and Pandits are fed food.
Pithor Amavasya: Yogini and Saptmatru Puja Time
Goddess Adi Shakti has different powers and these are Yoginis themselves. They appear in different forms. She is specifically called upon for Tantra Pujan. Shakti Puja has special significance in the Shakta sect. Puja is done specifically on Amavasya and Purnima Tithi. A devotee is able to attain power through the eight or fourteen Yoginis. All these powers are friends of Mata Parvati. Ten Mahavidyas and Siddha Vidyas are also counted among these sixty-four goddesses. On the day of Pithori Amavasya, devotees worship the mother for the attainment of power.
This time is very special for anyone who has a close relationship with Tantra or Yoga. Before beginning the worship of the Goddess, one should finish Snan, meditation and all daily chores, then seek the blessings of his/her ancestors, Ishtdev and the Guru. Lord Shiva is also worshiped on this day.
Saptamatruka
Apart from this, Saptamatrukas are also worshiped on this day. This practice has been prevalent in South India. Brahmani, Vaishnavi, Maheshwari, Indrani, Kaumari, Varahi, Chamunda or Narasimhi. They are called ‘Matruka’. In some places the number of Goddesses are believed to be seven and in some places eight.
Pola festival on Pithor Amavasya
Traditionally Pola festival is celebrated on the new moon day of Pithori month. This festival is especially celebrated in parts of Chhattisgarh. Pola festival is basically a festival related to agriculture. It is a festival of farmers and is celebrated to honor farming and their work. All aspects of agriculture are celebrated when the season of farming comes to an end. According to some beliefs, Annamata had conceived on this day. It is believed that paddy fields get filled with milk on this day, which is why this festival is celebrated. On this day people are not allowed to visit any farm.
Pola This festival impacts all classes of people. On this day special dishes are made in every household. Clay toys and clay bulls are made on this day. Bulls are decorated with the primary tools of agriculture. They are then worshipped. In some places, competitions are also organised for the best decoration of a pair of bulls.
Pithori Amavasya Importance
Pithori Amavasya is also known as Pithori, Pithora, Pithor etc. There is also a tradition to worship Goddess Durga on Pithori Amavasya. On Pithori Amavasya, women observe this fast for progeny. It is believed that Goddess Parvati shared the importance of this fast with everyone and revealed to everyone the secret of its auspicious effects and the fulfillment of wishes that comes from observing this fast. Indra’s wife Shachi performed this fast. She was blessed with progeny and prosperity of the family. According to this mythological belief, a fast is observed on Pithori Amavasya for progeny and the long life of children.
Every Amasvaya is connected with the name of the month in which it falls. Differences in the impact and importance of the new moon on each month are also seen During all these Amavasya, doing Puja Path, Snan and Charity are very helpful in providing happiness and peace in the mental, spiritual as well as physical form. On Amavasya, one must stay away from any kind of bad habit. One should follow pure and holy conduct on this day.