Importance of Thai Amavasya
For Tamils, Thai Amavasya/Amavasai is an important day. It is a day to worship and remember their ancestors, whose blessings are vital for their well-being and happiness. All cultures speak of the need to honor ancestors. Failing to do so is believed to bring their curses on us, which can manifest as problems in various aspects of our life. Hence, it is very essential to perform rituals and ceremonies on this day to ensure that our ancestors are pleased with us and that they will attain Moksha or liberation.
Amavasya is the word for No Moon or New Moon Day. 'Ama' is a Sanskrit word that signifies 'together', and 'Vasya' means 'to stay'. For Hindus, Amavasya is a holy day that is ideal for worship and spiritual activities and also for honoring the departed ancestors.
Thai is the 10th month of the Tamil calendar, which corresponds to mid-January to mid-February in the Gregorian calendar. It begins on the day of Uttarayana when the Sun begins on its northward journey in the hemisphere. This marks the dawn period for the Devas in heaven. The month of Thai is very auspicious for Tamils especially, as many festivals like Pongal, Thai Poosam, Thai Shukravaram, Maha Shivaratri, etc., fall in this month.
Why Ancestor Worship Matters?
When people die, their spirits leave their bodies and reach Pitru Loka. They remain here until it is time for their next birth. This is inevitable, as not all souls attain Moksha after death. It may take many lifetimes before their souls are liberated from the birth-death cycle. It depends on their deeds in life or karma. The more good karma they do, the faster they can attain Moksha. Otherwise, they will be born again until their karmic debts are paid in full.
When the souls of dead ancestors live in Pitru Loka, they will feel hunger and thirst, just like human beings. But they will be unable to eat or drink anything due to their body-less state. However, we can appease their hunger and thirst by performing rituals like Tarpanam or feeding the poor. This satisfies them, and they will give us their blessings. It also enables them to move on to the next stage in their journey after death. As their descendants, it is our duty to perform the rituals and make offerings to them on certain designated days like Amavasya. It is believed that satisfied ancestors will shower abundant blessings on us that can transform our lives positively.
Importance of Thai Amavasya
Thai Amavasya is one of the best days to perform rituals in honor of ancestral souls, as it falls in the auspicious Uttarayana period.
Thai Amavasya Rituals
Hindus express gratitude to their ancestors by performing rituals like Tarpanam, Tila Homam, and Pinda Daanam. Such Shradh-related ceremonies are usually performed in holy places, seashores, or on the banks of sacred water bodies. People throng to places like Rameshwaram, Haridwar, Prayag Triveni Sangam (Allahabad), Kanyakumari, etc., to do these ceremonies. They also perform acts of charity on this occasion, like donating food, money, etc.
During Tarpanam, it is the custom to offer sesame seeds and water to ancestors. The belief is that this can free 7 generations from past karmas. It also frees us from past sins or curses and fulfills the desires of our ancestors. During this time, Abishekam and Pooja or Archana are performed, and Mantras are chanted.
In Tamil Nadu, devotees take a holy dip in the sea at Rameshwaram and visit Agnitheertham Kadarkarai to perform Poojas. They also offer prayers to the Navagrahas at Devippattinam in Rameshwaram. The idols of Shiva, Rama, and Sita at the Ramanathaswamy temple are taken out in a procession to Agnitheertham. Special ceremonies take place at spots like Kanyakumari, Devippattinam, Rameshwaram, Dhanushkodi, Sethukarai, Muhuntharayarchatram, etc.
In North India, the day is called Mauni Amavasya. In Odisha, people observe it as Triveni Amavasya.
Benefits of Observing Thai Amavasai Tharpanam
Supposedly, there are many benefits to observing Thai Amavasya. They are as follows:
It can resolve long-standing health issues.
It can remove debts and bring wealth.
It can resolve relationship issues.
It can remove delays in marriage.
It can bestow progeny blessings.
It is a remedy for Pitru dosha.
It helps invoke ancestral blessings for peace, happiness, and longevity.
It can free us from ancestral curses.
Thai Amavasya 2024 is on Friday, February 09, 2024.
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