Somvati Amavasya is a very important day in Hinduism. Amavasya which falls on Monday is called Somvati Amavasya. Somvati Amavasya falls only once or twice in a year. This fast is observed by married women. Somvati Amavasya fast is observed by married women for the long life of their husbands.

Somvati Amavasya Vrat is also known as ‘Ashwath Pradakshina Vrat’ in the scriptures. ‘Ashwath’ means Peepal tree. Lord Vishnu resides on the Peepal tree. Therefore Lord Vishnu is also worshiped on the day of Somvati Amavasya. On this day, bathing and charity are considered to be the best of all. According to the words of sage Vyasa, on this day, by meditating, fasting, fasting, one gets the virtuous fruit of thousands of cows.

It is believed that in the Mahabharata, Bhishma, explaining the importance of this day to Yudhishthira, said that a person who bathes in the holy rivers on this day will be prosperous, healthy and free from all miseries. It is also believed that taking a bath gives peace to the souls of the ancestors.

Significance

As per the legend, the significance and importance of Somvati Amavasya was narrated by Lord Krishna himself to King Yudhishthira.

It is believed that the devotees who observe a fast of Somvati Amavasya are bestowed with moral and noble children as well as with a long life.

People who undertake a holy dip in the sacred rivers such as the Ganges on this day get rid of their past and present sins as well as can eliminate all the obstacles. In Hindu culture, the tree of Peepal holds much significance as it is believed that Peepal tree is sacred and it is an abode of the deities. Hence if devotees worship and offer prayers to the Peepal tree on the day of Somvati Amavasya then they are blessed with good fortune. Married women also keep a Somvati Amavasya Vrat for their husband’s longevity.

It is also believed that if the unmarried women observe fast on this day then they are blessed with a good and suitable match. It is a vital day for performing Pitra tarpan which includes offerings to the deceased ancestors to get bestowed with their blessings and peace in life.

Individuals who suffer prom Pitra Dosha can be relieved by observing the fast of Somvati Amavasya.

By performing Homa, Yajna, donations, charities, and puja ceremonies on this day, the devotees can eliminate all sorrows and obstacles from their life.

Rituals

Devotees must take a holy bath before sunrise and wear fresh and tidy clothes.

The devotees must observe a fast of Somvati Amavasya and worship Peepal tree.

After offering prayers to the Peepal tree, married women tie a red or yellow colored sacred thread around the trunk of the tree by taking 108 Parikrama (rounds) of the tree in a row.

After that, devotees offer vermillion, sandal paste, milk, and flowers to the tree and sit under it and recite the sacred mantras. Devotees should also worship Lord Vishnu and recite Shani Mantra

Devotees must also take a dip in sacred rivers in order to attain prosperity and pray for the salvation for the forefathers.

Devotees must make donations and perform charities of clothes, food, money and other essentials to the needy.

Observing a silence vow (Maun Vrat) by the devotees is also regarded as very beneficial and fruitful.

Somvati Amavasya Vrat Katha

The story of Somvati Amavasya states that once there was a Brahmin family whom a monk used to visit. In that family there were seven sons and one daughter, All the sons were married but the girl was still unmarried. The monk used to ask for alms and bless all the daughters-in-law to have a blissful conjugal life. But the parents of the daughter were worried and anxious that he never offered blessings to their daughter.

After a few days, the parents called a pandit and showed him the Kundali of their daughter. When the Pandit analyzed the horoscope of the girl, he informed the parents about an inauspicious and unfortunate yoga of her becoming a widow. They asked for remedial action. The Priest suggested the girl visiting an island named Singhal where she would find a washerwoman. If that washerwoman will apply Sindoor on her forehead along with the girl observing a strict fast of Somvati Amavasya, she can get rid of that inauspicious yoga.

The girl left for the island with one of her brothers. When they reached the seashore they had to figure out the ways how to cross the river. Thus, to find a way they sat under a tree and started to discuss their further journey. On that particular tree, a vulture had its nest and lived with its vulture chicks. But whenever the vulture gave birth, a snake used to eat those new-born in the absence of the vulture.

On that day also when the girl and her brother were sitting under the tree, the vultures went out and the infants were left alone in their nest. Before the snake could have killed them, the girl projected what could happen so she killed the snake in order to save the infants.

When the vultures returned they were so happy to see their children safe and alive. Hence, they helped the girl to reach the house of that washerwoman. The girl served the washerwoman with utmost dedication. With the penance and true devotion of the girl, the washerwoman got pleased and applied vermilion on her forehead.

After that, the girl left the place and was going back to her home. On her way, she stopped at a peepal tree, there she offered prayers, performed Parikrama around the tree and observed a Somvati Amavasya Vrat. When the fast was completed, with the effect of the fast and the Sindoor, the inauspicious yoga of the girl’s kundali was canceled.

Thus, since that particular day, devotees and mainly the Hindu women observe a fast of Somvati Amavasya to get blessed with a happy and blissful conjugal life and long life of their husbands.