What is Thai Amavasya
The new moon day is known as Amavasya and is one of the significant power times. According to the Vedic Calendar, there are sixteen thithis in the Hindu Panchanga. In one month every thithi occurs twice. There are 15 tithis falling during the Krishna paksha phase and 15 thithis in the Shukla paksha phase.
As per the Hindu lunar calendar a lunar month starts on Purnima or the full Moon Day, and the New Moon Day, Amavasya falls in the middle. The Amavasya thithi is believed to be ideal to offer prayers and worship to the ancestors. Of all the Amavasya thithi of a year the Thai Amavasya, Aadi Amavasya and Mahalaya Amavasya are considered very significant.
Thai is the 10th month of the Tamil Calendar, which corresponds to mid-January–mid-February of Gregorian calendar. The month is an auspicious one, that begins on the sacred Uttarayana day, when the Sun commences on its northward journey in the celestial sphere. The Tamils celebrate the first day of the Thai month as Pongal festival.
In North India, Thai Amavasya is known as Mauni Amavasya and during this day most of the Hindus observe silence the whole day. similar to Tamil Nadu, the people in North too offer tarpan to their ancestors and take a holy dip at river Ganga.
In the Kumbh Mela festival happening in Prayag, Uttar Pradesh, Mauni Amavasya is the most important day for bathing in the holy Ganges and is hailed as the day of ‘Kumbh Parva’ or ‘Amrit Yoga’. In Andhra Pradesh, people celebrate this Amavasya as ‘Chollangi Amavasya’ and it is also referred as ‘Darsh Amavasya’ in other parts of India.
Why is Thai Amavasya significant
- Thai Amavasya / Mauni Amavasya is a perfect day to perform tarpan rituals to the ancestors.
- The Pitrus satisfied by the tarpan will bless the family members who are performing tarpan to them.
- The day is ideal to donate food, clothes and other essentials to the poor and needy.
- Mauni Amavasya worship will mitigate the malefic effects of Shani.
- The day is perfect for meditation and contemplation.
- Taking a holy dip in Ganges River on Mauni Amavasya is considered very auspicious.
Thai Amavasya worship procedure
On Mauni Amavasya, the devotees wake up early and have a holy dip in the Ganges at sunrise. Those who cannot visit the river ghat in person can add little Ganga theerth (water) to the water they are using to take bath. While taking bath on Mauni Amavasya, a person should stay calm and not engage in chatter. On this day devotees also offer worship Lord Brahma and chant the ‘Gayatri mantra’.
After the holy dip the devotees can meditate. Meditation helps to focus the mind concentrate and brings inner peace. On the day of Mauni Amavasya, it is important to abstain from performing wrong actions.
Observing silence during the Mauni Amavasya is a popular practice. A section of the devotees observe silence on Mauni Amavasya. They abstain from speaking all day long and practice meditation to achieve spiritual bliss. This practice is known as ‘Mauna Vrat’.
If a person finds it difficult to practice mauna vrat for the whole day they must at least maintain silence whilst performing the Amavasya puja rituals.
In North India, on Mauni Amavasya, scores of Hindu devotees take a holy dip in ‘Sangam’ at Prayag and spend the Pragya day in meditation.
Buy Now2022 Thai Amavasya / Mauni Amavasya
The Tamil month Thai corresponds to the mid-January to mid-February of the Gregorian calendar. For the year 2022, Thai Amavasya / Mauni Amavasya date and time is as follows
Sunrise – 01 February, 2022 07:10 AM.
Sunset – 01 February, 2022 06:09 PM.
Amavasya Tithi Commencing time – 31 January, 2022 02:18 PM.
Amavasya Tithi Ending time – 01 February, 2022 11:15 AM.
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