Aadi Amavasya - New moon in the Tamil month of Aadi

The no-moon day in the Tamil month of Aadi is Aadi Amavasya or Aadi Amavasai. It is an important day for Hindus, as it is very auspicious for performing rituals like Shraddh and Tarpanam to honor dead ancestors. It is also a good day for worshipping Muruga.

Hindus perform rites for dead ancestors in sacred Theerthams and riverbanks and take a dip in sacred rivers and spots. Thousands take a holy dip and perform Tarpanam for dead ancestors at Agni Theertham in Rameswaram, Thriveni Sangamam in Kanyakumari, and other holy spots on the banks of the Cauvery River.

Many people observe a fast on Aadi Amavasya as it can bring many benefits. Some have only a single meal on this day.

Special Abishekams and Poojas are also held. Muruga devotees believe that they will be purified and their will be washed away if they take a holy dip in the Shanmuga River in Palani on Aadi Amavasya day. People also tonsure their heads at Palani Muruga Temple as a mark of respect and thanksgiving.

Aadi Amavasya 2023 occurs twice. The first Amavasya falls on 17th July, which is also the first day of Aadi month. The second Amavasya is on 16th August, which is the 31st day of Aadi. Aadi Amavasya is a major festival for Tamil people.

Significance of Aadi Amavasya 

Aadi Amavasya is said to be a special Thithi for honoring our deceased ancestors. On this day, the spirits of our ancestors are believed to visit us, and we should remember and honor them. It is a day to express gratitude to them, seek their forgiveness, and ask for their blessings. It is very auspicious to perform ancestral rituals on this holy day. By doing so, we can receive their blessings and protection. This ensures the well-being and prosperity of our families.

Rituals of Aadi Amavasya 

During the Tarpanam ritual, family members gather near a sacred water body or at home and make offerings to honor the departed souls. The offerings include rice balls along with sesame seeds. They also offer prayers and chant Mantras.

Homam, a fire ritual performed by burning twigs and dried herbs, is also performed. Ghee, puffed rice, and cotton clothes are also offered to the fire while chanting specific Mantras. This supposedly removes negative energy, purifies the atmosphere, and pleases ancestors.

People also visit various temples on the day of Aadi Amavasya and perform special Poojas and Abishekams to the deities to seek their blessings for the well-being of ancestral souls and themselves. Performing acts of charity is one of the best ways to atone for the sins that are committed by us or our ancestors, intentionally or unintentionally. So many donate clothes, food, medicines, and other essential items for the needy. This is beneficial to our ancestors as well as ourselves, as it is good karma. Annadaanam, or food donation, especially, is a very powerful ritual that has the power to reduce sins.

As per the Manusmriti, there are 5 important rites a householder should perform. One of the most important of these is Pitru Yagna or worship of ancestors. The Garuda Purana states that those who fail to carry out Shraddh for their Pitrus will never prosper.

Benefits of Pitru Tarpanam 

· Bestows longevity and happiness.

· Freedom from debts and financial burdens.

· Amavasya Tarpanam bestows peace, prosperity, and good fortune.

· Alleviates suffering and brings success and good health.

· Fame and success.

The oblations are offered to 3 generations of ancestors, both from the maternal and paternal sides. The deities for the Pitrus are Vasu, Rudra, and Aditya. Invoking them by chanting mantras helps the food reach the ancestors. The deities transport the food, which is called ‘swadha,’ to the Pitrus, who accept it with great satisfaction and pride.

We can find ancestral worship in many cultures. This reveals that from time immemorial, people recognized that it was important to remember and honor deceased ancestors. They also believed that failing to do so would invite their anger and lead to many problems for their descendants. This is due to the bad karmic effects that we inherit from our ancestors by way of soul genes. To avoid the consequences of this bad karma, we must respect and honor our ancestors through Tarpanams and shraddhas. Such rituals, when performed on Aadi Amavasya, please the ancestors greatly, and they will shower their blessings on us.