Amavasya

Amavasya (अमावस्या) means New Moon night in Sanskrit language when there is no moon at night. The word Amavasya is common to almost all Indian languages as most of them are derived from Sanskrit.

Meaning of Amavasya:

In Sanskrit, "Ama" means "together" and "vasya' means "to dwell" or "cohabit".

The new moon day (all 9 hours and not just the night) is called Amavasya (अमावस्या). The Hindu calendar is a lunar calendar. In most parts of the Indian subcontinent, the Hindu lunar month always starts on the day following the Full Moon or Purnima and therefore Amavasya always falls in the middle of Hindu lunar calendar. However, in some parts of the Indian subcontinent, the Hindu calendar month starts on the day after the new moon or Amavasya and therefore Amavasya is the last day of the lunar month in those places. Many festivals, the most famous being Diwali (the festival of lights), are observed on Amavasya.

Many Hindus fast on Amavasya.

Amavasya Somavati:  An Amavasya falling on a Monday has a special significance in Hindu Religion. It is believed that a fast on this particular Amavasya would ward off widow-hood in women and to ensure Progeny. It is also believed that all desires could be fulfilled if one fasts on such an Amavasya.

Worship of Forefathers (Pitra):  Every month, the new-moon day is considered auspicious for the worship of forefathers and poojas are made. However, no travel ought to be scheduled the first day of the new moon. Religious people are supposed to not work and concentrate on the rites function on Amavasyas. Even today traditional workers like masons do not work on Amavasyas in India. However they will work on Saturdays and Sundays. Amavasya was traditionally monthly off day. The Amavasya function is usually done in the afternoon at home (hence travel and daily work are postponed). Even High Court judges of 18th century in India used to observe Amavasya as off day. It was the British Rule that brought Sunday off principle to Indian industry.

On Amavasyas Shraadh is done to forefathers by Brahmins whose father has died earlier. Nowadays a short 20-minute version of the ceremony is done—offering black sesame and water as oblation to departed souls. This oblation is offered to father, grand father and great grand father - 3 levels. Then to mother, grandmother and great grandmother—3 levels. Similarly this is done to mother's side of the family also. If one of these persons are still alive, their name is skipped and the corresponding earlier generation person is offered oblation. Then a final oblation is offered to those anonymous souls which died and have nobody in their lineage offering oblation. These oblations are believed to give birth to good children without mental or physical challenges (so say the prayers in this function).

The dark fortnight of Aswayuja (September–October) is known as the Pitru Paksha (Mahalaya) or the fortnight specially sacred for offering oblations to the departed ancestors. The last day of this period, the new moon day, called mahalaya amavasya, is considered as the most important day in the year for performing obsequies and rites. The manes return to their abode on the evening of Deepavali. Due to the grace of the Yama, it has been ordained that offerings made during this period benefit all the departed souls, whether they are connected to you or not.