What is Amavasya:
Amavasya is a sanskrit term referring to the No moon day, it is an important thithi of the Indian Calendar. Hindu astrology makes its calculations depending on the 30 lunar phases. In Sanskrit, these lunar phases are known as ‘Tithi.’
Amavasya tithi occurs every month when the Moon is within the 12 degrees of angular distance between the Sun and Moon before the conjunction.
The Significance of Amavasya:
Amavasya tithi is ideal for performing the worship and rituals for your forefathers. People visit temples and do shraddha for their forefathers.
Circumambulation of Peepal Tree during Amavasya is very special. Women without children perform circumambulation to be blessed with progeny. Several people regularly fast on this day to seek divine intervention.
List of 2022 Amavasya days:
At least one Amavasya falls every month, and sometimes there might be two. Below table contains the date and time of the Amavasya thithi falling in 2022.
| Month | Hindu month | Date and time |
| January | Pausha | Amavasya Start Time: 02 January 2022 at 03:42 am
Amavasya End Time:03 January 2022 at 12:03 am |
| February | Magha | Amavasya Start Time: 31 January 2022 at 02:18 pm
Amavasya End Time:01 February 2022 at 11:15 am |
| March | Phalguna | Amavasya Start Time: 02 March 2022 at 01:00 am
Amavasya End Time:02 March 2022 at 11:04 pm |
| April | Chaitra | Amavasya Start Time: 31 March 2022 at 12:22 pm
Amavasya End Time:01 April 2022 at 11:54 am Amavasya Start Time: 30 April 2022 at 12:58 am Amavasya End Time:01 May 2022 at 01:58 am |
| May | Vaishakha | Amavasya Start Time: 29 May 2022 at 02:55 pm
Amavasya End Time:30 May 2022 at 05:00 pm |
| June | Jyeshtha | Amavasya Start Time: 28 June 2022 at 05:52 am
Amavasya End Time:29 June 2022 at 08:22 am |
| July | Ashadha | Amavasya Start Time: 27 July 2022 at 09:12 pm
Amavasya End Time:28 July 2022 at 11:25 pm |
| August | Shravana | Amavasya Start Time: 26 August 2022 at 12:24 pm
Amavasya End Time:28 August at 2022 at 01:47 pm |
| September | Bhadrapada | Amavasya Start Time: 25 September 2022 at 03:12 am
Amavasya End Time:26 September 2022 at 03:24 am |
| October | Ashwina | Amavasya Start Time: 24 October 2022 at 05:27 pm
Amavasya End Time:25 October 2022 at at 04:18 pm |
| November | Kartik | Amavasya Start Time: 23 November 2022 at 06:53 am
Amavasya End Time:24 November 2022 at 04:27 am |
| December | Margashirsha | Amavasya Start Time: 22 December 2022 at 07:13 pm
Amavasya End Time:23 December 2022 at 3:46 pm |
Things not to do on Amavasya:
As per the scriptures, following are some activities that have to be avoided during Amavasya days.
Waking Up Late
Waking up late on Amavasya is not good. Usually, it is always better to rise early as positivity and divinity will be present during that time. Waking up late will bring a person under the influence of negative energy. During Amavasya, the negative energy will be more powerful, and thus, waking late on this day has to be avoided.
No Physical Relationship
The married couples should avoid indulging in a physical relationship. As negative energies are on ascension during Amavasya, It is believed that a baby born due to a union made on this day might be born with physical deformities.
Do Not Displease the Ancestors
As Amavasya is the perfect day to pray to the ancestors, you should take proper care not to displease them on this day. Any known or unknown disrespect towards them will have unwanted repercussions.
Avoid anger and be humble.
Try your best to avoid anger on this day and stay humble. Don’t insult or humiliate anyone unnecessarily. Disrespecting, hurting, or humiliating the underprivileged might bring the wrath of God.
Don’t disrupt donation.
Never disrupt the donation or the dharma performed by the other. Even if you are not performing dharma (donation), don’t interrupt or disturb when the others are doing some dharma.
Don’t eat non-vegetarian
Avoid intake of non-vegetarian foods during Amavasya. Eat foods that are pure and sattvic. Taking non-vegetarian foods on this day might make you ill.
No Auspicious ceremonies:
Don’t fix any auspicious ceremonies like marriage, house warming, child naming, or baby showers on this day. As per astrology, the star and Moon’s position determines the health and future of an individual since the Moon and stars are not in a favorable position during Amavasya.
With the exception of Karthik Amavasya (the day of Diwali), all other Amavasya thithis are not ideal for conducting any auspicious ceremonies.
Buying of food grains and flours:
Amavasya is not a good day to buy food grains like rice and wheat and rice and wheat flour. Most importantly, the Amavasya falling on the Bhadra month is not at all ideal to purchase food grains.
Never pluck Basil (Tulasi) leaves:
As per the Hindu scriptures plucking the Tulasi leaves from the plant is prohibited during Amavasya.
Don’t eat heavy:
On Amavasya days, it is good to go on fasting. However, the people who cannot fast on this day should at least avoid eating heavily as one’s mental and physical state will be unbalanced; hence it is advisable to follow a lighter diet.
Hope the article gave you an idea about Amavasya thithi and the activities you have to avoid on Amavasya. Please refer to the table containing the Amavasya dates for 2022 and plan your day accordingly. You may perform the sacred rituals for your forefathers and invoke their blessings on this powerful power time. Refer to our Pillai Center website and contact us to know about the ceremonies and events related to Amavasya.
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