Bhadrapada Amavasya

Amavasya is a Sanskrit word which means the ‘dark moon lunar phase’ Amavasya which falls in the Bhadrapada month (August to September) is observed as Bhadrapada Amavasya among all Hindus. The holy day is celebrated in various regions of India. The day is observed as Avani Amavasya in the state of Tamil Nadu. For the Marwari community, the day holds immense significance and is celebrated as Bhadi Amavasya or Bhado Amavasya.

As per Hindu Panchang, Bhadrapada Amavasya will be observed on new moon day in Bhadrapada month.

In Hindu religion, the devotees believe that by worshipping on the eve of Bhadrapada Amavasya, devotees get relieved from their past sins and all sort of malicious feelings. It helps the individuals to start afresh on a spiritual and optimistic note. Many individuals observe a Bhadrapada Amavasya fast to usher in harmony and peace in their abode. Some of the devotees also visit the sacred Ganga river to pray for the peace and calmness of the souls of their ancestors and loved ones. A Puja is also performed by some devotees at their own place or temple for praying for the peace to the souls of the ancestors. All sorts of negative energies end on this holy day.

Bhadrapada Amavasya is also celebrated in the memory of Rani Sati. In Jhunjhunu, a district of Rajasthan, a huge fair is also organized in the honor of the local deity Rani Sati who is believed to be the symbol of bravery as she has shown much dedication and courage by sacrificing herself on her husband’s funeral pyre. A temple is also there on her name where devotees worship the deity and celebrate Bhadrapada Amavasya.

The individuals who suffer from the Kaal Sarpa Dosha* also celebrate Bhadrapada Amavasya and perform all kind of pujas and rituals to get relieved from bad fortune and undesirable situations which they have been facing in the past due to this Dosha in their Kundali. The people with Kaal Sarpa Dosha usually remain disturbed because of their sins and misdeeds performed in past life. Worshipping and praying devotedly on Bhadrapada Amavasya helps them to wash away all their past sins and get blessed with a peaceful, happy and successful life.

* - Kaal Sarp Yog or Kaal Sarp Dosh is a condition in one’s horoscope which can bring extreme difficulty and can have malefic effects. According to Hindu Astrology, if in one’s Kundali, all the seven major planets i.e. Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and Mars are enclosed with and placed between Rahu and Ketu, then Kaal Sarp Yog is formed and the particular individual is said to be suffering from Kaal Sarp Dosh. In other words, in this Dosh, Rahu is considered to be the serpent’s head and Ketu is the serpent’s tail between which all the prime planets are placed.