Amavasya 2020: The New Moon Night

Amavasya 2020 corresponds to the night of New Moon, when there is no Moon illuminating the night sky. This no moon night, Amavasya 2020 holds great importance in the Hindu religion. According to the panchang, the first night of the first fortnight or the bright fortnight (paksha) of a lunar month, i.e., the first day of Shukla Paksha is the Amavasya. The darkest night of the month is often considered inauspicious by many. Devotees even believe that any task commenced on Amavasya 2020 will never be successful. However, Mahalaya Amavasya 2020 is actually considered highly auspicious for worshiping our forefathers (pitra) and performing puja, shradh, and tarpan in their name.

Apart from the worship to help our forefathers attain moksha (salvation), there is another Amavasya 2020 with a particular significance. An Amavasya 2020 that falls on Monday is known by the name Somvati Amavasya and women fast on this day in hopes of warding off widowhood, get blessings in the form of children, and fulfilment of all their desires. This fast is known by the name of Somvati Amavasya Vrat. There are other Amavasya 2020 that are also considered highly auspicious like Mauni Amavasya 2020 (in Magha month) and Mahalaya Amavasya 2020 (in Ashwayuja month). Additionally, the Amavasya 2020 or Amavasi in the Tamil month of Aadi also has great import in the state of Tamil Nadu.

Let us now move on to the Amavasya 2020 dates and more information on this event.

Amavasya 2020 Dates (New Moon 2020 Dates)

We all know that the New Moon or Amavasya 2020 occurs every lunar month. Therefore, there are about 12 New Moons or Amavasya 2020 in a year.

Given below are the dates of Amavasya 2020 (New Moon 2020) as per Purnimanta lunisolar calendar (this calendar is mainly followed in the states of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh):

Amavasya 2020 Dates as per Purnimant

Given below are the dates of Amavasya 2020 (New Moon 2020) as per Amanta lunisolar calendar (this calendar is mainly followed in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Tripura):

Amavasya 2019 Dates as per Amant

Is Amavasya 2020 (New Moon) Inauspicious?

According to Vedic Astrology, no important ceremony should be celebrated on the night of Amavasya 2020, as the Moon that is considered an important planet is not visible on the night of Amavasya 2020.

So, the big question here is whether Amavasya 2020 (New Moon) is inauspicious or not? According to various anonymous beliefs, all types of tantras are done on this night. As the Amavasya 2020 night is very dark, so it is said to be the ideal time to invoke various occult powers. Also, people avoid travelling during this time as it is believed that doing so on Amavasya 2020 (No Moon night) can invite problems. Logically, since the Moon is the provider of light during night, therefore, in its absence on Amavasya 2020, the darkness can cause problems during one’s journey.

Kali Puja is also performed on Amavasya 2020 to get rid of all evil powers, as Goddess Kali can overcome all the evil spirits. As per beliefs, on the night of Amavasya 2020, spirits get unusual powers. Hence, Goddess Kali is worshiped on Amavasya 2020, so that these evil spirits can be evaded.

However, before falling victim to any superstitions concerning Amavasya 2020, one must remember that Diwali, a very auspicious festival falls on Amavasya night. Therefore, we should consider Amavasya 2020 as auspicious. During the festival of Diwali 2020, we worship Goddess Lakshmi of wealth along with Lord Ganesha and Goddess Saraswati of knowledge and education. So, all in all, we can conclude that Amavasya 2020 (New Moon 2020) is not inauspicious as the holy festival of Diwali is celebrated on this night. Also, Amavasya 2020 marks the beginning of Shukla Paksha (the bright fortnight) of every month.

Amavasya 2020: Types of Amavasya

Let us discuss the different types of Amavasya 2020 (New Moon) that occur every year.

Paush Amavasya 2020

According to Hindu Calendar, the period of December and January is known as Pausha Masa. The Amavasya 2020 (New Moon 2020) occurring in this month is called Paush Amavasya 2020. This year, Paush Amavasya is occurring on 24 January 2020.

People who are suffering from Pitru Dosha, donate food and clothes to get relief. This Amavasya is considered to be ideal for doing Shraddha for your ancestors. Paush Amavasya is said to be a very auspicious day to appease your forefathers. People who want to get rid of the harmful effects of planets like Rahu & Ketu can get benefits by donating clothes and food on this day.

Mauni (Magha) Amavasya 2020

According to the Panchang, Mauni (Magha) Amavasya 2020 falls in the middle of the Hindu month of Magha. This year, Mauni Amavasya is occurring on 23 February 2020. As per Hindu traditions, the holy water of Ganga river turns into Amrit (elixir) on Mauni Amavasya 2020. It is considered to be very auspicious if someone takes a dip in the Ganga river on Magha Amavasya 2020. ‘Maun’ is a Sanskrit word that means ‘to remain silent’, thus, people often fast on Mauni Amavasya by not uttering a word the whole day.

It is believed that the universe was created on this day. Mauni Amavasya is said to be the most auspicious day during Kumbh Mela, as the Triveni Sangam bath is performed on this day, which makes one healthy. Hence, one can also visit the Sangam and take a dip in the convergence of holy rivers there, on Mauni Amavasya 2020.

Hariyali Amavasya 2020

The Amavasya 2020 observed during Hindu month of Shravan is known as Shravan Amavasya 2020. Since, usually this Amavasya falls near Hariyali Teej, therefore, it is often also called Hariyali Amavasya 2020. This year, Hariyali Amavasya is occurring on 19 August 2020. Lord Krishna is worshiped on this day and the day is celebrated all over the world by Krishna devotees are present. This Amavasya 2020 holds a special significance in the regions of Mathura and Vrindavan. The Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan is especially decorated with flowers to make a Phool Bangla (flower house). A number of devotees visit this temple in huge crowds to get the blessings of Lord Krishna.

Somvati Amavasya 2020

The Amavasya 2020 that falls on Monday is known as Somvati Amavasya 2020. According to Hindu religion, women fast on this day for the long life of their husbands. Married women perform Parikrama (rounds) around the Peepal tree, which holds a divine significance in the Indian culture, 108 times. A sacred thread is tied around Peepal tree by women as part of the ritual on Somvati Amavasya, as they make their rounds. This year, two Amavasya 2020 are falling on Monday. These are Ashadha Amavasya that is occuring on 20 July 2020, and Kartik Amavasya 2020 which will fall on 14 December of this year.

There is a legend associated with Somvati Amavasya which is as follows:

The Legend of Somvati Amavasya

There are numerous stories associated with Somvati Amavasya, but we will discuss one of the famous ones here:

The legend is about a money lender who was very happy with his family of seven sons and one daughter. All the sons of the money lender were married, but he was still in search for the perfect match for his daughter. The money lender had a friend who was a Pandit. Whenever the Pandit visited his place, he blessed all the daughters-in-law of the money lender ‘Saubhagyavati Bhava,’ meaning that may their husbands live long. However, he never gave this blessing to the daughter. The daughter was very upset with this behavior of the Pandit. Thus, once the wife of the money lender asked Pandit about his weird behavior with her daughter. He told her about the misfortune of her daughter and said that she will become a widow. At this, the mother asked him for a solution to this problem. As a solution, the Pandit talked about a washerwoman living on Singhal island. He said that if the washerwoman puts her Sindoor (vermilion) on the forehead of her daughter, she will become fortunate. Hearing this, the girl went to the Singhal island and started working in the washerwoman’s house. Even before the woman and her family would wake up, the daughter would complete all the chores and return. One day, the suspicious washerwoman and her daughter-in-law woke up earlier to try to find out who was completing their housework. As the daughter of the moneylender approached the house to complete the chores, the washerwoman confronted her. At this, the daughter immediately explained her woes to the washerwoman, who agreed to give her Sindoor to the daughter on her wedding day.

The washerwoman kept her promise and the daughter of the money-lender was blessed with a long-lived husband. However, as soon as the washerwoman put her sindoor on the forehead of the daughter, the former’s husband died. The washerwoman had been observing a fast throughout the day and as she returned home, she received the ill-news on the way. The still fasting washerwoman decided not to drink even a sip of water in her grief, and instead taking a long roll of sacred thread and started tying it around a Peepal tree that fell in her way. Grieving, yet praying hard to the Gods and Goddesses within the holy tree, she took 108 rounds around it. At this, the deities were appeased and they gave life to her husband. That day was a Somvati Amavasya, and ever since then, women follow the same rituals on this day, and pray for the long life of their husbands.

Margashirsha Amavasya 2020

According to Hindu Calendar, the Margashirsha month falls in between mid October and mid November. The Amavasya (no moon) occuring during this time is known as Margashirsha Amavasya. will fall on December 14. This month of Margashirsha is said to be the month of devotion. The Margashirsha Amavasya 2020 is considered to be a very auspicious day to begin any religious work. Not only is this month associated with Lord Krishna, the Margashirsha Amavasya 2020 is also said to be a propitious day for performing Tarpan for one’s ancestors.

We hope that this information about some of the important Amavasya 2020 was enlightening for you.

Let us now have a look at the fast of Amavasya 2020 and the rituals and traditions associated with it.

Amavasya 2020 (New Moon): Observing The Fast

Many people in India observe fasts on Amavasya 2020 (New Moon) as it is considered to not only be auspicious but also offers peace to our ancestors. Many devotees also observe the Maun Vrat (fast of keeping silent) on Maghi or Mauni Amavasya 2020.

As per Lord Vishnu in Garuda Purana, offering food to your ancestors on Amavasya is considered highly auspicious. If you do not give them these offerings, they can become angry with you, while doing so, gets one their blessings. One’s ancestors are said to keep a native safe from numerous evils. While fasting on Amavasya 2020, one should donate food and clothes to appease their forefathers. We hope that this article on Amavasya 2020 will be helpful to you!

MyKundali Wishes Its Readers A Happy Year Ahead, And May You Please Your Ancestors With The Sufficient Knowledge Provided!