Mauni Amavasya

Mauni Amavasya is a divine occasion in Hindu religious practice followed for honouring ancestors or forefathers. The term Mauni in Sanskrit means silence, hence the day is spent in silence and many religious rites are performed on this day. As the moon plays a significant role in the Hindu calendar for performing religious rituals for ancestors soul, it is also called as Magha Amavasya or New moon day. The word "Mauni" also closely resembles word "Muni" meaning saint. Amavasya is a combination of "ama" meaning together and "vasya" means to live and hence living together. ^[1]

Significance

Mauni Amavasya, as per the Hindu calendar, is followed on the new moon day of the Magha month. ^[2] As the name "Mauni" is symbolic of silence,the day is spent in silence. ^{[3] [4]}

Things to avoid

On Mauni Amavasya day, it is suggested to avoid below things- ^{[5] [6]}

• Avoid lying and remain in silence as much as possible during the day.

• Avoid arguments, quarrels or personal grudges.

• Avoid visiting crematorium.

Rituals

Mauni Amavasya puja rituals are as follows ^{[7] [8]}

• Early morning wake up and having holy bath which is believed will remove sins.

• Fasting and remaining silent which helps in restraining thoughts and hence the name Mauni meaning silent.

• Lighting a diya with ghee in remembrance of ancestors and forefathers.

• Performing pitru tarpan or pitru puja if possible.
• Make offering of Arghya to Sun God after holy bath.

• Auspicious for performing Hawan, Gayatri jap or reading Bhagavad Gita.

• As meritorious service feeding Brahmins.

See Also

• Amavas

References

1. "Mauni Amavasya 2025: अगले साल कब है मौनी अमावस्या? अभी नोट करें सही डेट और शुभ मुहूर्त - Kab Hai Mauni Amavasya 2025 when is Mauni Amavasya Shubh Muhurat Puja Vidhi". Jagran (in Hindi). Retrieved 2025-01-03.
2. "Mauni Amavasya 2024: Date, Tithi, Significance and Things to Avoid". The Economic Times. 15 January 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
3. "Mauni Amavasya 2024: Date, significance, puja timings, rituals and all you want to know". hindustantimes.com. 9 February 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
4. "Mauni Amavasya: A sacred opportunity for inner cleansing and reflection". The Times of India. 7 February 2024. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
5. "Mauni Amavasya 2023: Check Tithi and important things to do on this day". The Economic Times. 21 January 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
6. "What is Mauni Amavasya? Date, time, and significance". The Times of India. 8 February 2024. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
7. "Mauni Amavasya 2024: Date, Puja Time, Rituals and Significance". The Times of India. 9 February 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
8. "Mauni Amavasya 2023 tomorrow! Why is this considered the most auspicious of all 12 amavasyas". Times Now. 20 January 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2024.