All about Somvati Amavasya: When is it in May, Rituals, Celebration, and all one needs to know
Amavasya is referred to as the no-moon day when the Moon is not visible from the Earth. And when this Amvasya falls on a Monday, it is called Somvati Amavasya, and is considered especially auspicious.
Why?
It is said that Somwar, or Monday, is the day of Lord Shiva, the divine masculine who is the transformer of the Universe, and because Amawasya relates to the moon, it is seen as a feminine energy. And thus, Somwati Amavasya brings the divine masculine and feminine energies into perfect harmony.
What is done on Somvati Amavasya
Somvati Amavasya is considered important for 4 things - Snaan, Daan, Tarpan, and Vrat. Peop;e perform Pitra tarpan and rituals to honour their ancestors, they take a bath in the holy rivers, especially Ganga in Haridwar on this day, they perform Daan, or charity, in the form of food, clothes, or other essentials, and many prefer to fast on this day to please the Gods.
Today, as Somwati Amavasya and Vat Savitri vrat are on the same day, men and women can both keep fasts for each other's long life, health, and more.
When is it celebrated in May 2025?
In May 2025, Somwati Amavasya will be observed today, May 26, Monday. It coincides with the Vrat Savitri vrat, and according to reports, the timings for the two are also the same.
And thus, women will keep a fast on May 26 for Somvati Amavasya as well as Vat Savitri to pray for their husband's long life, health, prosperity, and more.
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Rituals and customs of Somvati Amavasya
One of the most important parts of Somvati Amavasya is Snaan Daan. And thus people do the important ritual of taking a dip in the sacred Ganga during sunrise. Devotees go to Haridwar, Ujjain, Rishikesh, Varanasi, or another place, and take a dip in the river Ganga to cleanse their sins and purify their souls.
Next is Daan, or charity, where people are expected to give back to society, not just ask something from God. On Somvati Amavasya, people donate clothes, grains, fruits, jaggery, til seeds, or more to people in need.
It is also said that offering food to Brahmins on this day brings great Punya in life, and some people donate to ashrams or temples in the form of Anna daan, or donating grains.
Worshipping the ancestors
Somvati Amavasya is also believed to be a day to remember your ancestors, the ones who look over you from another realm, and perform Tarpan, which is basically offering water with flowers, barley, and more, to ask for their peaceful afterlife.
It is said that when the ancestors are happy and pleased, families are blessed with good health, success, and peace.
Fasting on the day
Similar to Ekadashi and Purnmashi, some people also keep a fast on Amavasya. And as Vat Savitri vrat is on the same day, many women will observe a Nirjala fast on the day to pray for their husbands. They abstain from grains, salt, and sometimes even water, depending on their belief, and the fast is broken only after sunset with a simple satvik meal or fruits.
On the day, women pray and tie a sacred thread around the Vat vriksha, which is believed to be a symbol of long life.
What to do at home?
Puja can also be done at home or in temples, but make sure that the Puja room or home temple is clean and so are the idols and murtis. Wake up early, take a shower, cleanse yourself with Gangajal if you can't visit Haridwar, and then start the prayers for the day. Offer milk, water, flowers, honey, etc to the Shivling at home, and chant mantras all day to maintain a calm environment.
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