Shravana Amavasya 2023: Significance, Rituals, and Do’s and Don’ts
Shravana Amavasya is a Hindu festival that is celebrated in the month of Shravan (July-August). It is also known as Hariyali Amavasya, which means “green Amavasya.” This is because the festival is celebrated during the monsoon season when the earth is lush and green. Shravana Amavasya is a day to worship Lord Shiva and to seek his blessings.
It is also a day to pay tribute to the ancestors and to pray for their well-being.
On Shravana Amavasya, people wake up early in the morning and take a holy bath. Post which then usually visit a Shiva temple and offer prayers. Some people also fast on this day.
In the evening, people gather together to celebrate the festival. They sing and dance, and they feast on a variety of delicious foods.
Shravana Amavasya is a day of joy and celebration. It is a day to come together with family and friends, and to give thanks for all the blessings in our lives.
Significance of Shravana Amavasya
Shravana Amavasya is a significant day in the Hindu calendar. It is believed that on this day, the gates of heaven are open, and the ancestors visit the earth to bless their descendants.
This is why Shravana Amavasya is a day to perform rituals to honor the ancestors.People offer prayers, food, and water to their ancestors, and they also light lamps in their memory.
Shravana Amavasya is also a day to worship Lord Shiva. He is the god of destruction, but he is also the god of regeneration. On this day, people pray to Lord Shiva for his blessings, and they ask him to destroy all the negative forces in their lives and to regenerate them with positive energy.
Rituals on Shravana Amavasya
There are a number of rituals that are performed on Shravana Amavasya. Some of the most common rituals include:
- Pitru Tarpan: This is a ritual in which people offer water, food, and prayers to their ancestors.
- Rudrabhishekam: This is a ritual in which people bathe the Shivlinga (an icon of Lord Shiva) with milk, water, and other holy substances.
- Fasting: Some people fast on Shravana Amavasya. This is done to cleanse the body and mind, and to focus on spiritual matters.
- Donation: It is considered auspicious to donate food, clothes, or money on Shravana Amavasya. This is done to help those in need, and to accumulate good karma.
Do’s on The Day of Shravana Amavasya
- Go for a bath early in the morning before sunrise:- It is believed to cleanse the body and mind in the morning as it energies and refreshes your body.
- Visit a temple: – People usually offer prayers to Lord Shiva and Vishnu by visiting their temple.
- Perform a puja at home for offering prayers to your ancestors.
- Donate food and clothes to the needy: – This is considered to be a very praiseworthy act.
- Spend time in meditation and introspection: – This is a good time to reflect on your life and set goals for the future.
Don’ts on The Day of Shravana Amavasya
- Do not eat non-vegetarian food.
- Do not consume alcohol or tobacco.
- Do not engage in any activities that are considered to be tamasic, such as violence, anger, or hatred.
- Do not pluck leaves from the basil plant.
- Do not have any physical relations.
Conclusion
Shravana Amavasya is a day of spiritual significance for Hindus. It is a day to worship Lord Shiva, to honor the ancestors, and to give thanks for all the blessings in our lives. It is also a day to come together with family and friends, and to celebrate the beauty of nature.