Chaitra Amavasya 2023: Date, Time, Rituals, and Significance

Amavasya is the new moon or the lunar phase when the Moon is not seen. The Amavasya that occurs during the Krishna Paksha (waning lunar fortnight) of Chaitra month (March-April) is Chaitra Amavasya. Chaitra Amavasya is believed to be a very auspicious day in Hinduism. This day is ideal for performing religious and spiritual activities. Many Hindus perform acts of charity on this day and also rituals for ancestors like Tarpanam. Chaitra Amavasya 2023: Date and Time Chaitra Amavasya 2023 is on Tuesday, March 21. The Amavasya Tithi starts on March 21, 2023, at 1:47 am and ends on the same day at 10:52 pm. Importance of Chaitra Amavasya Chaitra Amavasya is the first Amavasya of the year, so it is an important day for spiritual activities. It is an auspicious day to remove suffering and negativities from life. On this day, Hindus worship Vishnu and perform Ganga Snan to get rid of all their sins. Many take a holy dip on Chaitra Amavasya as they believe that it will remove their sins and help them receive Vishnu’s blessings. Moreover, this Amavasya is ideal for performing Shradh rituals for deceased ancestors. Also, worshipping Vishnu and performing Vishnu Pooja on Chaitra Amavasya can get rid of pain, distress, and negativity in one’s life. This Amavasya has the power to eliminate Pitru Dosha. People with Pitru Dosha often face many hurdles in life. How to Observe Chaitra Amavasya Vrat? One should observe a fast on Chaitra Amavasya. This can help their ancestors attain Moksha. Here are the rituals to be performed on this day:

Wake up early in the morning. Take a bath in a sacred water body.

Next, offer water to the Sun.

If you are fasting, donate things to the needy for the peaceful afterlife of your ancestors.

During Chaitra Amavasya, feed the poor or Brahmins after Pitru Shradh.

Light a lamp with mustard oil under a Peepal tree. Offer blue flowers, mustard oil, and black sesame seeds to Shani (Saturn).

Observing a fast on Amavasya can get rid of many Doshas. It can boost longevity and prosperity. Performing Pooja under a Peepal tree is also very auspicious, as Vishnu supposedly dwells in its roots, Shiva in the stem, and Brahma in the other parts.

Rituals during Amavasya Vrat Amavasya fasting is even more auspicious if it falls on a Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday in Nakshatras like Anuradha, Vishakha, and Swati. When these Yogas are present during Amavasya, one can get auspicious results through pilgrimages, recitation, and meditation.

Offer water to the Sun and the Tulsi plant in the morning. Recite the Gayatri mantra 108 times.

Next, offer water to the Shiva Linga and rice to a cow.

Place a Tulsi at a Peepal tree. Then, offer items like curd, milk, sandal, black flax seeds, flowers, turmeric, and rice.

Wind a thread 108 times around the Peepal tree. Married women can hold Bindi, bangles, Mehandi, biscuits, and chocolates while they do the rounds.

Offer homemade Puri, Kheer, and vegetables to ancestors first and then consume the same.

Donate clothes, food, and sweets to the poor.

Observe Mauna Vrat (vow of silence) on that day.

Benefits of Chaitra Amavasya Vrat

Amavasya fast protects us from negative and dangerous powers and evil eyes. It can reduce the effect of all evil influences in our lives.

The fast also helps to appease the spirits of ancestors.

It is the ideal time to offer prayers to our departed ancestors. This helps invoke their blessings.

Amavasya fast can fulfill our wishes.

Amavasya Vrat can lessen the adverse effect of Kaal Sarpa Dosha.

On Amavasya, the gravitational pull of the earth is very high. This gives stability to one’s metabolism.

Chaitra Amavasya Dos and Don’ts

Do not pass through the crematorium or near it on the night of Chaitra Amavasya.

Do not walk on deserted roads on Amavasya night.

Avoid sleeping till late on Amavasya day, as you will not get the blessings of your ancestors. Wake up at sunrise and offer water to the Sun.

Do not fight or argue at home on this day. This can prevent you from getting ancestral blessings. So, maintain an atmosphere of peace.

Avoid getting angry or behaving in an abusive manner.

Do not use garlic and onion in your food on this day. Avoid meat, fish, and alcohol.

Married people should avoid having sex. On Chaudas, Amavasya, and Pratipada, one must be completely pure in both body and mind.

Pitru Pooja on Chaitra Amavasya For Hindus, Pitru Pooja on Chaitra Amavasya is very significant. It is also a good day for Kaal Sarpa Dosha Pooja. Amavasya days are ideal for Shraddha ceremonies to honor ancestors. According to the Shastras, the souls of 3 preceding generations of ancestors (both maternal and paternal) reside in Pitru Loka. This is a realm between heaven and earth. Pitru Pooja involves doing Tarpanam and Pinda Danam to 3 preceding generations of ancestors. This provides their soul peace or Mukti. If you don’t do Pitru Pooja on the actual death anniversary, do it during Pitru Paksha– the 15 days between Bhadrapada Bahula Padyami to Amavasya. If you cannot do the Pooja on all the days of Pitru Paksha, do it on a single day during Pitru Paksha at least. Astrological Significance of Chaitra Amavasya Chaitra Amavasya occurs in the first month of the Hindu lunar calendar. So it is dedicated to spiritual healing and performing rituals that eliminate karmic doshas and absolve one of all sins. The different lunar phases (waning and waxing) end in a fortnight that marks the beginning of several rituals to please the gods and forefathers. Mythology says that when Karna died during the Kurukshetra war, his soul reached heaven. But he did not get any food to eat. All he got was gold and jewels to eat. When he asked Indra (the king of heaven) about it, Indra replied that Karna donated only gold and jewels to others in his lifetime but never offered any food to his ancestors or anybody else. Karna replied that he was not aware of his ancestors. Indra then said that Karna could return to earth for 16 days so that he could donate food to his ancestors. This 16-day period is Pitru Paksha.