Amavasya: Difference between revisions
Added when amavasya pitru tharpanam is to be done. |
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(2) Sanghava 08:25 to 10:48 |
(2) Sanghava 08:25 to 10:48 |
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(3) Maadhyaanha 10:49 to 13:12 |
(3) Maadhyaanha 10:49 to 13:12 |
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(4) Aparaanha ''13:13 to 15:36'' |
(4) Aparaanha '''13:13 to 15:36''' |
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(5) Saayankaal 15:37 to 18:00 |
(5) Saayankaal 15:37 to 18:00 |
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Shraadh is to be done in Aparaanha kaal. But the 30 food items preparation might start as early as 5:00 a.m. By the time the function finishes it would be 3:00 p.m. It is a tiring 10 hours continuous work for both husband and wife. But nowadays only a short cut 20 minute offering of oblation is done on Amavasya. Due to pressure of time in fast paced lives of cities, this function is done in (wrong time) Praatha kaal. |
Shraadh is to be done in Aparaanha kaal. But the 30 food items preparation might start as early as 5:00 a.m. By the time the function finishes it would be 3:00 p.m. It is a tiring 10 hours continuous work for both husband and wife. But nowadays only a short cut 20 minute offering of oblation is done on Amavasya. Due to pressure of time in fast paced lives of cities, this function is done in (wrong time) Praatha kaal. |
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==References== |
==References== |
Revision as of 01:21, 21 September 2011
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Amavasya is the Indian name for a New moon. The word Amavasya is common to many Indian languages especially Sanskrit, Hindi, Assamese, Kannada, Bengali, Konkani, Marathi, Oriya, Telugu, and Gujarati. In Tamil, though amavasya is commonly used in religious spheres, the pure tamil scholars prefer the term "puthuppiRai"
There is a natural upsurge of energies in the human body on these days. As a result, in the tradition, Amavasya (New Moon) and Pournami (Full Moon) days are held as special days for the spiritual seeker. Any sadhana performed on these days has a greater impact on the system. As the Amavasya vibrations are especially conducive for men and similarly, as the Pournami vibrations are particularly conducive for women.
Every month, the new-moon day is considered auspicious for the worship of forefathers and poojas are made. However, no travel ought to be scheduled the first day of the new moon. Religious people are supposed to not work and concentrate on the rites function on Amavasyas. Even today traditional workers like masons do not work on Amavasyas in India. However they will work on Saturdays and Sundays. Amavasya was traditionally monthly off day. The Amavasya function is usually done in the afternoon at home (hence travel and daily work are postponed). Even High Court judges of 18th century in India used to observe Amavasya as off day. It was the British Rule that brought Sunday off principle to Indian industry.
On Amavasyas Shraadh is done to forefathers by Brahmins whose father has died earlier. Nowadays a short 20 minute version of the ceremony is done -- offering black sesame and water as oblation to departed souls. This oblation is offered to father, grand father and great grand father - 3 levels. Then to mother, grandmother and great grandmother -- 3 levels. Similarly this is done to mother's side of the family also. If one of these persons are still alive, their name is skipped and the corresponding earlier generation person is offered oblation. Then a final oblation is offered to those anonymous souls which passed away and have nobody in their lineage offering oblation. These oblations are believed to give birth to good children without mental or physical challenges (so say the prayers in this function).
The dark fortnight of Aswayuja (September-October) is known as the Pitru Paksha (Mahalaya) or the fortnight specially sacred for offering oblations to the departed ancestors. The last day of this period, the new moon day,called as mahalaya amavasya is considered as the most important day in the year for performing obsequies and rites. The manes return to their abode on the evening of Deepavali. Due to the grace of the Yama, it has been ordained that offerings made during this period benefit all the departed souls, whether they are connected to you or not.
Shraadh time
In India a full day is from one sunrise to next sunrise. A dinmaan (daytime) is from sunrise to sunset. A raatmaan (nighttime) is from sunset to next sunrise.
Daytime is divided into 5 equal parts as follows (assuming sunrise at 6 a.m. and sunset at 6 p.m.) :
(1) Praatha 06:00 to 08:24 (2) Sanghava 08:25 to 10:48 (3) Maadhyaanha 10:49 to 13:12 (4) Aparaanha 13:13 to 15:36 (5) Saayankaal 15:37 to 18:00
Shraadh is to be done in Aparaanha kaal. But the 30 food items preparation might start as early as 5:00 a.m. By the time the function finishes it would be 3:00 p.m. It is a tiring 10 hours continuous work for both husband and wife. But nowadays only a short cut 20 minute offering of oblation is done on Amavasya. Due to pressure of time in fast paced lives of cities, this function is done in (wrong time) Praatha kaal.