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Chaitra Amavasya 2024: Dates, Timings, Rituals And Significance

14 Mar, 2024 by Parita Soni

Chaitra Amavasya 2024: Dates, Timings, Rituals And Significance

14 Mar, 2024 by Parita Soni

As per the Hindu Calendar, there are 30 tithis or lunar phases in a year. Amavasya is the lunar phase during which the Moon is eclipsed. When the Moon lies within the 12-degree angular gap between the Sun and the Moon, it is called an Amavasya or No Moon night. Amavasya is derived from two Sanskrit words - Ama meaning together, and Vasya, to live together.

Let us learn about Chaitra Amavasya 2024, as well as other details regarding the Amavasya Vrat and its customs. 

What is Chaitra Amavasya?

The Chaitra Amavasya, as per the Hindu Calendar, occurs in the Chaitra month during Krishna Paksha. Krishna Paksha is the period that falls between Purnima and Amavasya. The Chaitra Amavasya usually falls in March or April and is considered quite fortunate. Devotees from all over India seek blessings from God by performing spiritual and religious activities. Pitra Tarpan, the ritual observed by the Hindus, is also performed on the Chaitra Amavasya date and time. 

When is Chaitra Amavsya?

The Chaitra Amavasya 2024, as per the Hindu Calendar, is on April 08. The Amavasya Tithi shall begin at 03:21 am and end at 11:50 pm on the same day. Many religious activities such as the holy bath, charity as well as other donations will take place on the Chaitra Amavasya date and time. 

Also See: Sheetala Ashtami Puja Date and Time

Significance of Chaitra Amavasya

As per the Hindu Calendar, Chaitra Amavasya is the first Amavasya of the year and, as per the religious rituals, a vital fasting day. The importance of Chaitra Amavasya vrat is much as it helps in eliminating despair as well as negativity from an individual's life. Lord Vishnu is being worshiped on this day, and as a part of Chaitra Amavasya Vrat, devotees bath in the Holy waters of Ganga to purify themselves of sins. 

Moreover, apart from acquiring blessings from Lord Vishnu, this day is also significant for performing the rituals of shradh for the deceased souls. One of the significance of Chaitra Amavasya is that worshiping Lord Vishnu on this day gets away the sorrow and negativity from a person's life. One can also get rid of Pitra Dosh, if it exists in their Kundali, by performing the puja. One can talk to expert astrologer on call to check if this dosh exists in their Kundali. 

chaitra amavasya

Astrological Significance of Chaitra Amavasya

Chaitra Amavasya falls on the first month of the Hindu lunar calendar. During this period spiritual healing is performed by the individuals and participation in ceremonies that aid in reversing karmic doshas and forgiving a person of their misconducts is considered appropriate. The many phases of the Moon (waning and waxing) announce the start of several rites to satisfy the gods and ancestors, which conclude in a fortnight.

According to mythology, when Karna died during Mahabharata, and his spirit was sent to heaven, he wasn't given regular meals and instead was given gold and jewels. He asked Indra why he wasn't receiving normal meals. At this, Lord Indra said that he presented all of the offerings to others throughout his lifetime but never did anything for his forefathers. When requested by Karna after hearing him out and discovering that he was unaware of them, Lord Indra decided to let Karna return to Earth for 16 days so he could provide food to his ancestors. This 16-day period is observed as Pitru Paksha.

Also See: Lucky Alphabets for Each Zodiac Sign

How to Observe Chaitra Amavasya Vrat?

The rituals to be followed for attaining the salvation of the ancestors on Chaitra Amavasya 2024 are:

  • Wake up early and bath in the holy waters
  • Offer arghya with water to Sun
  • If you are fasting for your forefathers, do charity as well.
  • Feed the Brahmins or underprivileged after Pitru Shradh.
  • Light a lamp with mustard oil.
  • Under the peepal tree, present blue flowers, mustard oil, and black sesame seeds to Lord Shani dev.

Fasting on Amavasya ensures prosperity and longevity of an individual, yet reducing the doshas. As Lord Vishnu resides in the roots, Lord Shiva in the stem, and Lord Brahma in the other parts of the peepal tree, it is considered lucky to hold a puja under a peepal tree.

Rituals To Be Followed on Chaitra Amavasya Vrat

Devotees should perform the following rituals to avail of the benefits of Chaitra Amavasya vrat -

  • Recite Gayatri Mantra 108 times and offer water to the Sun and the Tulsi plant.
  • Pour water on Shivling and feed rice to a cow.
  • Place a Tulsi plant under a peepal tree. Also, provide milk, curd, black flax seeds, sandal, turmeric, flowers, and rice. 
  • Wrap a holy thread around the tree 108 times. The married women performing these rounds can also carry mehendi, bangles, and sweets for puja.
  • Serve the prasad of handmade kheer, puris, and vegetables, which can be then eaten by you.
  • Give food & clothes as charity.
  • Try to observe maun vrat on the fasting day.

It is auspicious to observe the fast, worship, and go on pilgrimage during the days before and after the Amavasya. 

Benefits of Chaitra Amavasya Vrat

The advantages of Chaitra Amavasya Vrat are as follows:

  • Enables to avoid negative, harmful, and evil eyes.
  • Reduces negative energies from our lives.
  • The spirits of the ancestors get pacified. 
  • Devotees can pray for their forefathers' spirits and ask them to rest in peace. 
  • The desires and wishes of devotees fasting on Amavasya come true. 
  • Observing fast on the Chaitra Amavasya Vrat date and time with full dedication lessens the negative effects of Kaal Sarpa Dosha.
  • Scientifically, as the earth's gravitational force is the highest on Amavasya, the metabolism stabilizes. 

Why to Perform Pitra Puja on Chaitra Amavasya?

Chaitra Amavasya is a perfect day to observe fast and perform various pujas. Be it the Kalasarpa Dosha Puja or the Pitru Puja, the rituals to honor your ancestors and seek blessings from them can be performed appropriately on this day.

Also See: Pitra Dosha Remedies

Pitru Loka is someplace halfway between heaven and Earth, where the souls of three generations of both - the mother and father's side, stay. Tarpana and Pinda Danam are the main rites performed at Pitru puja for the three generations before them. Hence, it is important to do Pitru puja for individuals who have died in order to provide their spirits Mukti (peace). If you don't do Pitru puja between Bhadrapada Bahula Padyami and Amavasya, i.e., the 15 days between their death anniversary and the day, do it during Pitru paksha. If you are unable to offer puja on all of the Pitru paksha days, do so at least once.

Dos and Don’ts on Chaitra Amavasya 2024: 

  • Do not drive on deserted roads on the night of Amavasya.
  • Do not visit the crematorium on Chaitra Amavasya night, come what may.
  • Do not sleep past midnight. Doing so can make you deprived of blessings from your ancestors. 
  • Wake up at sunrise and offer arghya to Surya Dev.
  • Make sure you do not indulge in any fights or quarrels, especially at home, or else your ancestors' blessings might not stay in your home. Hence, stay peacefully.
  • Devour satvik food. Avoid eating onion, garlic, meat, fish, or even alcohol.
  • Couples should refrain from getting physical on Amavasya, Chaudas, and Pratipada.

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