Shravana Amavasya

Shravan (July – August) month brings in a lot of festivals and important events for the Hindus. Amavasya or the no moon day falling on this month is significant from several angles. Here we discuss the importance of Shravan Amavasya and the different names associated with it. Shravan Amavasya assumes different dimensions and meanings across different local cultures in India.

Across the country, different traditions celebrate Shravana Amavasya under different names and in different ways. Here are the different names of the event. Though the rituals differ from region to region, the spirit of the event is the same:

- Hariyali Amavasya: Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh
- Gatari Amavasya: Maharashtra
- Chukkala Amavasya: Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
- Chitalgi Amavasya: Orissa

Amavasys or no moon day is considered auspicious for ancestral worship. However, the Amavasya falling in some months are considered more significant for this purpose. On this day, male members int eh Hindu households offer pitru puja (ancestral puja) and pitru tarpan (offerings to ancestors) and pray for their blessings. Special meals are cooked and offered to Brahmins.

One of the top highlights of Hariyali Amavasya is worship of Lord Shiva. On this day special pujas are performed in Shiva temples as well as homes praying for good rains and a plentiful harvest. It is said Shiva puja performed on this day will bless the devotees with wealth and prosperity.

Many Hindus observe fasting on this day. Aspirants wake up early in the morning and take a purifying bath. Worship is offered to the family deities at the puja room altar. Only one meal is taken after puja and the fast is concluded in the evening.

On the day of Shravana Amavasya, grand fairs are organised in different parts of India. The celebrations organized in Udaipur last for three days filled with fun, entertainments and foods. On this day, women pray for the welfare of their husbands.

Hariyali Amavasya marks the onset of monsoon season. Therefore it is highly special and an invitation card for the rains that will ensure a good harvest. People move out on this day to enjoy the nature in its fresh colors after the scorching summer months.

Hariyali Amavasya falls three days before the Hariyali Teej. Shravana is the fifth month in the Hindu lunar calendar. This month is considered highly auspicious to worship Lord Shiva. During this month, Hindus worship different gods and goddesses and seek their blessings. Prayers are offered on this day seeking good rains and a plentiful harvest following that. Worship of ancestors and charitable activities done on this day are believed to give added merits.

Hindus worship trees and plants in order to thank them. Across some local traditions, people worship peepal trees on this day. Since this marks the start of the monsoon season, people believe planting saplings on this day will see their amazing growth like the growing phase of the moon.