Chaitra Amavasya

Chaitra Amavasya is the no moon day that falls in the month of Chaitra (March - April). Since this is the first Amavasya of the year as per the Hindu calendar, Chaitra Amavasya is considered very important for undertaking a variety of spiritual activities. Here is a discussion on why this Amavasya is important with short accounts on what are done on the day of Chaitra Amavasya.

Since times immemorial, the fortnightly cycle of the moon has been considered the main backbone of the calculation of time in the Hindu calendar. The different phases of moon during the waxing and waning half of the month marks the different occasions, festivals and celebrations in a year. Amavasys is the day falling in between the Krishna Paksha (waning phase) and Shukla Paksha (waxing phase) and therefore sets an important phase in the religious life of Hindus. Chaitra Amavasya gains added importance as it occurs during the first month of the year as per the Hindu calendar.

Chaitra Amavasya vrat is highly popular among the Hindus and the presiding deity to be worshipped on this day is Lord Vishnu. The Amavasya Vrat starts in the morning of the Amavasya Thiti and lasts till the moon is sighted on the Pratipada day (first day of the waxing phase of moon). The day is marked by a ceremonial worship offered to Lord Vishnu at homes. The special event on this day is offering food to crows and the poor, which is said to reach the ancestors and win their blessings. The Garuda Purana says that the ancestors visit their descendants on Amavasya days and if they offer food to them on these days, they become happy and bless them with happiness, peace and prosperity.

Chaitra Amavasya is highly recommended for a holy dip in the Ganges or at the dedicated Kumbh Mela destinations including Hardwar, Prayag (Allahabad), Nashik and Ujjain. Holy dip done on this day is said to remove the sins of the individuals besides winning the blessings of the gods for a life of prosperity and happiness. Especially those who are sufferings from mental afflictions and grief can take a holy dip on the day of Chaitra Amavasya and perform Shiva puja to attain peace and clarity of perception.

Shradh refers to the ritual of worship and offerings done to the ancestors. Hinduism believes that the departed souls reach Pitru Loka or the world of ancestors after their death. In this temporary world, they stay for a while until they get a new body to be born on the earth. During this time, they would face the pangs of hunger and thirst which can only be quenched with the offerings charged with mantras or holy chants offered by their descendants from the earth. Chaitra Amavasya being the first Amavasya of the year is considered a highly auspicious one to perform the Shradh ceremonies for the deceased souls. Shradh ceremony can help escape sins, pitru dosh and several problems in life and win the blessings of the ancestors.