Somvati Amavasya 2024: Date, Significance, and Rituals

Mark the auspicious day dedicated to ancestors with devotion and reverence.

Somvati Amavasya, an important occasion in the Hindu calendar, will be observed this year on Monday, December 30, 2024. This sacred day occurs when the new moon day (Amavasya) aligns with a Monday (Somvar), amplifying its religious and spiritual significance.

Date and Timings

Amavasya Tithi Begins: December 30, 2024, at 4:01 AM

Amavasya Tithi Ends: December 31, 2024, at 3:56 AM

Significance of Somvati Amavasya

Somvati Amavasya holds immense importance in Hindu traditions. It is a day for paying homage to ancestors (Pitru) through various rituals, which are believed to bring blessings, happiness, and prosperity. Observing the day is also said to help alleviate Pitru Dosh, a spiritual imbalance caused by ancestors' dissatisfaction.

Devotees often visit sacred rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, or Saraswati to take a holy dip, offering prayers and seeking spiritual growth. The day is also an opportunity for introspection and strengthening one’s spiritual practices.

Rituals Observed on Somvati Amavasya

1. Fasting: Devotees fast for the entire day, abstaining from food and water.

2. Worship: Special prayers are offered to Lord Shiva and ancestors, seeking their blessings.

3. Tarpanam: Devotees perform tarpanam (water offerings) to honor and seek forgiveness from their ancestors.

4. Pind Daan: Rice balls (pind daan) are offered as a mark of gratitude and respect.

5. Charity: Donations of food, clothing, and other essentials are made to those in need.

6. Sacred River Baths: A holy plunge in rivers like the Ganga is considered purifying and spiritually uplifting.

Somvati Amavasya is more than a day of rituals—it is a time to reflect, seek ancestral blessings, and deepen one’s spiritual journey. Devotees are encouraged to observe the day with devotion and sincerity to reap its full benefits.