Amavasya, or
Amavasi, is the name of new moon night in Hindu religion. It is the first night
of the first quarter of the lunar month. Since the moon is invisible on the
day, Amavasya is also referred as no moon night. Amavasi holds great importance
in Hinduism. Many Hindus choose this day to make offering (tharpanam) to the
dead ancestors. There is also an ongoing debate whether Amavasya is auspicious
or inauspicious.
The term
‘Amavasya’ is commonly used in all regional languages in India. The fortnight
that starts with Amavasya is also referred as the Shukla paksha (bright half of
the month). Mauni Amavasya in Hindu Magh month (January – February) and Mahalya
Amvasya in Ashwayuja (September – October) are highly auspicious. Similarly the
Amavasi in Aadi month is of great importance in Tamil Nadu. The Amavasya in
Karkidakam month is of importance in Kerala.
In some
regions people observe partial fast (Upvaas) or a complete fast on the day.
Thanks to
mainstream Indian movies, Amavasya is considered the ideal day to perform black
magic and evil acts. Since there is no moon, Amavasya night is pitch dark and
this provides the ideal setting to invoke evil powers.
Earlier it
was advised not to travel on an Amavasya night. The logic being that there is
no moonlight and this could invite lot of hardship and danger.
Many
astrologers advise against performing any important ceremony on the day as moon
and important planets in Hindu astrology are not visible. In some regions,
people do perform certain auspicious deeds on the day. But largely no new
beginnings or important ceremonies are held on the day.
Symbolically,
the period from Amavasya to Purnima (full moon) is considered to be the gradual
awakening and transcendence into the fullness. From darkness to the gradual
realization of the Supreme Soul.