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.
Importance
Somvati Amavasya is considered significant due to its occurrence on a Monday, the day of Lord Shiva, and hence people observe fast on this day. People also offer prayers to their ancestors on this particular day. So, Pitra puja is performed on the auspicious day of Somvati Amavasya. Additionally, one can pray for the peace of their ancestors’ souls after taking a dip in the holy river Ganga.
The epic Mahabharata mentions Bhishma Pitamah narrating the significance of Somvati Amas to Yudhisthira, the eldest among the Pandava brothers. When the Kurukshetra war ended, Dharmaraaj Yudhisthira was stressed about the future of the Kuru-Pandava dynasty. To seek advice, he met Bhishma Pitamah and asked how to revive the dynasty so that upcoming generations could prosper. It was Bhishma Pitamah’s suggestion that Yudhishthira should observe the Somvati Amavasya Vrat. This way, they could get the blessings of noble children.
Benefits
The auspicious dip in the river is said to take away all sorrows and helps bring prosperity in one’s life.
Worshipping Lord Shiva every Monday is deemed beneficial to fulfill one’s wishes.
If one observes fast on this day, it will bring glory, luck, and a good reputation.
A childless couple can be blessed with a child, and the poor can become wealthy.
It reduces any sort of fear or pain from one’s life.
Fasting by married women is deemed beneficial for their husband’s long life.
Moon is the deity of this day and is greatly known to represent peace. Hence, one is blessed with peace of mind and relief in the heart.
Puja Vidhi
In Indian customs and rituals, the Peepal tree is revered as a sacred tree. Women should tie a sacred thread around the tree’s trunk for 108 times. This way, a parikrama of 108 times is done around the Peepal tree.
Then, they should offer milk, flowers, sandal paste, and vermilion or sindoor to the tree.
Fasting is carried out for the whole day.
It is considered auspicious to donate things of white color or white food such as rice, curd, sugar, milk, etc. to the poor.
Vrat Katha or Story
There was a monk who used to stop by a moneylender’s home regularly. All the seven sons of the money-lender were married but not his daughter. The monk used to take alms from them and in return, he would bless all daughters-in-law to have a great marital life. But he never blessed the daughter about tying the marital knot and this saddened the girl and her mother. The anxious mother summoned a Pandit who could see the Kundali of the girl. The Pandit informed about the unfortunate Dosha wherein the girl could become a widow. To resolve this trouble, the daughter was asked to go to the island named Singhal where a washerwoman lived.
The girl was asked to fetch Sindoor from that woman, which needed to be applied on her forehead. Additionally, observing the Somvati Amavasya fast was also required in order to nullify the unfavorable Yoga from her horoscope. The youngest son went with her to the island, and they reached the seashore. But there was a sea to be crossed ahead.
Wondering how to cross the sea, they rested under a tree where a vulture lived with his female vulture and their babies. One fine day, when both male and female vultures had gone out to search food, a snake came near the babies. The girl and her brother saved the babies from that snake, after which the vulture duo offered help. They showed her a way to reach the washer woman’s house. The girl served the woman for months. The lady was pleased, and in return, applied vermilion or Sindoor on the girl’s forehead. The girl without drinking water left from there, and on her way back also observed the Somvati Amavasya fast. This way, her ill-fated Dosha got neutralized.
Significance
This is the main fast of women. Women observe this fast for the longevity of their husbands. On the day of Somvati Amavasya, charity should be given according to one’s ability. Women who cannot observe fast on every new moon should observe fast on Somvati Amavasya and circumambulate the Peepal tree 108 times by wrapping it in a thread. Peepal tree should be worshiped lawfully. By observing this fast one gets eternal good fortune. Monday is the day of the moon. On this day the Sun and the Moon remain in a straight line. Therefore, this festival is considered to be of special merit.