Aadi Amavasya falls within the Tamil month of Aadi (July-August) and coincides with the New Moon Day. This occasion holds immense significance as it is one of the three most influential days governed by the Moon, dedicated to performing Tarpanam in honour of one’s ancestors and receiving their eternal blessings. Aadi is an auspicious month, one in which divine forces graciously grant requests. Partaking in tarpanam rituals on Aadi Amavasya Day serves to grant Moksha (salvation) to the departed souls of ancestors and bestow their benevolent blessings upon the living.
Astrologically, any Amavasai day sees the Moon and the Sun occupying the same zodiac sign. The Sun symbolises the father and the soul, while the Moon represents the mother and the spirit. In the case of Aadi Amavasai, its significance further amplifies as both luminaries reside in Cancer, the zodiac sign ruled by the Moon.
Importance of Performing Tarpanam on Aadi Amavasya
Aadi, a sacred month, bestows blessings from divine forces upon the earth, granting the fulfilment of prayers. On Aadi Amavasya Day, performing tarpanam rituals for ancestors brings their souls closer to Moksha (salvation) and invites their benevolent blessings. During Aadi Amavasai, ancestral spirits are more receptive to offerings, finding contentment when their descendants perform tarpanam rituals on their behalf. Additionally, as the sun begins its journey southward in the month of Aadi (known as ‘Dakshinayanam’), the New Moon of this period holds immense power for honouring ancestors with tarpanam rituals.
The execution of tarpanam during Aadi Amavasai liberates the departed souls of ancestors, bestowing prosperity, happiness, good health, wealth, and abundance upon the living generations. Offering sesame seeds and water to ancestors on this day satisfies them and ensures longevity, success, freedom from debts, the defeat of enemies, and the continuity of progeny.
History Behind Aadi Amavasya
The story of Aadi Amavasya finds mention in the great Hindu epic, the Mahabharata. According to the epic, every human soul carries three important debts owed to Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. ‘Pitru Run’ is one of these debts, which can be discharged through tarpanam performed by children for their ancestors, offered to Lord Brahma.
The rituals of Aadi Amavasai are best conducted at natural shores like seas, ponds, rivers, or lakes, as it can garner the blessings of ancestors. A sacred dip in these water sources is a prerequisite to purifying oneself before commencing the tarpanam ritual. Many people gather at Rameshwaram, and other sacred sites such as Thriveni Sangamam at Kanyakumari and various sacred Ghats along the banks of the Kaveri River to perform their ancestral rituals. Some choose to observe a full or partial fast, partaking in only one meal on this holy day as a sign of devotion to their ancestors.
Observances and Rites during Aadi Amavasya:
Families perform the holy rite of darpanam at home or close to a sacred body of water. It involves offering prayers and various offerings to honour departed ancestors. Rice balls and sesame seeds are presented, and prayers and mantras are chanted to seek blessings.
Homam is a special fire ritual where herbal twigs and dried herbs are burned. Puffed rice, ghee, and cotton clothes are offered to the fire while chanting mantras. This process is believed to cleanse the atmosphere of negative energy and please the ancestors.
On the day of Aadi Amavasya, visiting temples dedicated to different deities is considered sacred. Special poojas and abhisheka are performed to seek blessings and well-being for the departed souls of ancestors.
Charity and donations are highly valued to absolve sins committed knowingly or unknowingly by ourselves and our ancestors. Offering food, clothing, and other necessary items to those in need is especially significant on Aadi Amavasya.
Particularly, the act of providing food through Annadhanam is a powerful ritual to alleviate the burden of sins, whether committed knowingly or unknowingly during one’s lifetime.
Benefits of Praying on Aadi Amavasai
Aadi Amavasai offers numerous benefits, such as the alleviation of negative karma, bestowing prosperity and happiness in life, and blessing future generations with good health, wealth, and abundance. The execution of Tarpanam on this day is to liberate the souls of deceased ancestors. Offering sesame seeds and water to ancestors on this day pleases them and can ensure longevity, success, freedom from debts, victory over enemies, and the continuity of offspring.
The significance of praying on Aadi Amavasya holds deep-rooted spiritual importance in Hindu traditions. This auspicious day, falling in the Tamil month of Aadi, aligns with the New Moon, making it one of the most potent occasions to honour ancestors through Tarpanam rituals. Ancestral spirits are more receptive to offerings on this day, and seeking their blessings can lead to Moksha for their souls. Performing darpanam, homam, visiting temples, and engaging in charitable acts further amplify the spiritual significance of Aadi Amavasya. By observing these rituals and offering prayers with devotion, individuals can find solace and connect with their ancestral lineage, fostering a sense of continuity, prosperity, and divine grace in their lives.
