Vaishak Amavasya is an important Hindu festival that falls on the new moon day in the Hindu month of Vaishak, which usually corresponds to the months of April-May in the Gregorian calendar. In 2023, Vaishak Amavasya is expected to be celebrated on Wednesday, April 26th.
This day is considered very auspicious for performing spiritual practices, such as meditation, fasting, and performing charitable deeds. Many people take a dip in holy rivers, such as the Ganges, Yamuna, or Godavari, on this day to cleanse themselves of their sins and to seek blessings from the gods.
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It is also known as Shani Amavasya, as it is believed to be the day when the planet Saturn (Shani) completes its transit through one zodiac sign and enters another. It is believed that by performing specific rituals on this day, one can appease Lord Shani and reduce the negative effects of the planet's influence in one's life.
Overall, it is an important festival for Hindus and is a time for spiritual purification, seeking blessings, and performing good deeds. In addition to the spiritual practices and rituals performed on Vaishak Amavasya, there are also cultural traditions associated with the festival in different parts of India. For example, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, it is common to offer food and clothes to the poor and needy on this day. In some parts of Maharashtra, people perform a special pooja to the goddess Mahalakshmi for good fortune and prosperity.
In many Hindu communities, Vaishak Amavasya is also considered an important day for performing ancestral worship and paying respects to one's forefathers. People perform tarpan, a ritual offering of water and sesame seeds to their ancestors, seeking their blessings and forgiveness.
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Some people also perform pujas to Lord Vishnu or Lord Shiva on this day. In certain regions of India, a holy bath is taken before sunrise, followed by the offering of prayers and worship to the deity of choice.
Vaishak Amavasya is a day of spiritual significance for Hindus, and is believed to be a powerful time for seeking blessings and performing good deeds. It is a day to honor ancestors, appease Lord Shani, and seek the blessings of the gods for success and prosperity.
What’s the Importance of Vaishak Amabasya 2023
The day is an important Hindu festival that falls on the new moon day in the Hindu month of Vaishak (April/May). In 2023, it will be celebrated on May 4th. This festival holds great significance in Hinduism for several reasons:
• Bathing in holy rivers: On Vaishak Amabasya, people take a dip in holy rivers, such as the Ganges, Yamuna, Godavari, etc. This is believed to purify the soul and wash away sins.
• Paying homage to ancestors: Hindus perform a special ritual called "Tarpan" on Vaishak Amabasya to pay homage to their ancestors. It is believed that by doing so, the blessings of the ancestors are obtained.
• Worship of Lord Vishnu: It is also considered as the birth anniversary of Lord Vishnu, who is one of the principal deities in Hinduism. Hence, people also worship Lord Vishnu on this day.
• Beginning of the agricultural season: It is also significant because it marks the beginning of the agricultural season. Farmers start sowing their crops and praying for a good harvest.
• Vaishak Amabasya is a festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year, the start of the agricultural season, and pays homage to ancestors and deities. It is an important day for Hindus and is celebrated with great fervor and devotion.
How to Perform Puja on Vaishakh Amavasya 2023?
Many different rituals are performed on the day. One of the important jobs is respect towards our forefathers and the act of Tarpan. The devotees should wake up before sunrise on the day of Amavasya. If they live near a river or pond, they should bathe in it. If this is not at all possible, then bathing at home is sufficed. While bathing - Gangajal, Haldi and sesame seeds should be thrown in the bathing water.
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After the holy bath, Shri Hari should be worshipped and Ishta Dev should be remembered. Blessings of the senior members of the family should be pledged for. Next, water taken in a copper vessel should be offered to the Sun. Proper worshipping of Surya Dev means the ancestors are remembered with utmost devotion and honor.
• Pitra Karya important on Vaishakh Amavasya To Sesame seeds is put in water or can be given as a perfect donation.
• Tarpan and fasting for the peace of the soul of ancestors should be done too.
• Food items should be donated to the poor and distressed people.
• Milk and water mixd together should be poured on the roots of the Peepal tree on this day.
• Four-sided Dipak filled with mustard oil is lit in front of the Peepal tree in the evening.
• Brahmins should be donated food, clothes, money, according to capacity.
Keeping in view of the Vaishakh Amavasya, it is said that if a person doesn't perform Tarpan for their ancestors, his ancestors are sure to suffer. The person suffers from Pitra Dosha too. According to Garuda Purana, a Hindu Scripture reminds us that if the Shraddha of ancestors is not performed they never get salvation. Hence Pitra Tarpan has been given importance as Amavasya is dedicated to the deceased members. According to ancient texts, Lord Rama performed Shraddha and Trapan of his father Dashrath. For this action his father received salvation and his soul departed towards the Heaven.
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Apart from it, if in a person’s horoscope Pitra Dosha is formed or there is lack of peace in the family, the couples are not able to get the happiness of bearing a child, fail to get success and happiness in life, then in this situation it is assumed that the Pitra Dosha is formed and proper rituals will prove helpful for the persons and they will get absolute positivity in life.
Vaishakh Amavasya Katha
There are many folk- lore or scriptural tales about Vaishakh Amavasya. Among them one is kept in mind. In ancient times, a Brahmin named Dharmavarna lived in a city. The Brahmin was pure and of Sattvik tendency. Despite being poor, he was always engaged in auspicious deeds. He always helped the needy, respected the saints and ascetics. He used to take part in good companies too.
During one such meeting, he learned that in Kalyug, only reciting of the name of Lord Vishnu is sufficient for personal development. All the problems are solved and just by reciting the name of Hari one can get auspicious results. Hearing this, the man started reciting the name of Shri Hari and left his family for Vanprastha to get free from worldly life. Thereafter he accepted Sanyaas. While roaming here and there, he visited Pitralok. There he noticed that his ancestors were in deep trouble.
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When Dharamvaran asked the reason for their suffering, his ancestors explained that as they renounced worldly life and did not follow Grihasth life, their family failed to grow further and due to this they have been suffering. If Dharam Varan fails to have a child that will offer the Pind, they will keep on suffering and will not get proper liberation. Therefore, for their permanent liberation, Dharma should follow the life of the householder and open the path of their liberation to offer them the Pind on the forth coming Vaishakh Amavasya day. Listening to this, the person promised his ancestors that he would renounce sanyas and enter the household life completing all worldly tasks. He was blessed with a child and on the Amavasya day he performed the Pind Daan ritual.
What Should be Done on Vaisakh Amabasya?
One should take care of eating habits on the day of Vaishakh Amavasya.
If one is willing to follow fasting on this day, then one must follow pure and Sattvik rituals. It is that time when both body and soul should be absolutely pure. In religious scriptures, emphasis is given on purity of mind, words, and deeds. Among all these, the purity of mind has been given top priority. Pure mentality cleanses human conscience and fills the soul with purity. If to observe a fast is not possible, consuming Sattvik food will help in reducing the impurity of life. This situation affects the purity of mind and body both.
To Conclude
Whatever may be the root cause of observing the Vaisakh Amabasya is to satisfy the ancestors by offering them Pinda. To appease them it is the ideal day to observe fasting and go for Puja. It is an ideal matter to go for the perfect rituals and appease the ancestors.
It is an important Hindu festival that falls on the no moon day in the Hindu month of Chaitra. In 2023, Chaitra Amavasya falls on April 8th.
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The day is considered an auspicious day in Hinduism. It is believed that on this day, the departed souls of ancestors visit their descendants, and blessings and good fortune are bestowed upon the family.
Chaitra Amavasya 2023 is an important festival in Hinduism, and it is believed that by performing certain rituals and customs, one can seek the blessings of their ancestors and bring happiness and prosperity to the family.
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