2024 Amavasya Days | Amavashya Days | New Moon Days
Amavasya is the no moon day (some refer to it as the new moon day) and it is the starting day of the first quarter of the lunar month. Etymologically, Amavasya means ‘dwelling together’, as ‘Ama’ means ‘together’ and ‘vasya’ means ‘to dwell’ in Sanskrit.
The fortnight that starts with Amavasya is also referred to as the Shukla paksha (bright half of the month). Most Hindus observe a fast on the Amavasya day and offer food to their ancestors. People pay homage to the dead forefathers by way of Tarpanam and offerings to the poor and get rid of their sins and sorrows. Most people make it a point to have a dip in any of the holy rivers and wash away their bad karma. Since it is a no-moon night, Amavasya night is dark. A few people observe a whole day fast every Amavasya in the name of their ancestors.
Of all the Amavasya days, an Amavasya falling on Monday (Somvara) is considered most auspicious. Know as Somvati Amavasya, fasting and observing Vrat (Somvati Amavasya Vrat) on this day is considered most meritorious. Taking a holy dip is considered auspicious in waters of the sacred rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, Krishna, or Kaveri. Somvati Amavasya attains a special advantage by bathing, donating, and worshiping. It can be thought of very auspicious for providing to fathers. Similarly, the Amavasya on Saturday is called Shani Amavasya. Kartik Amavasya is generally considered auspicious which occurs on the day of Diwali.
Some of the most popular observances and important Amavasya dates are Mauni Amavasya, Shani Jayanti, Vat Savitri Vrat, Bhaumvati Amavasya, Lakshmi puja (Diwali), Hariyali Amavasya, Mahalaya Amavasya (Pitru Paksha). There are 12 Amavasya days in a year. The names of these 12 Amavasyas are based on their month of arrival.
Amavasya 2024 Dates
Paush Amavasya – पौष अमावस्या (Thursday) January 11th, 2024:
Paush Amavasya also known as Pushya Amavasya falls in Paush month (December-January). This is a day dedicated to rituals for dead ancestors and other relatives. It is believed that giving charity (Anna Daan or Vastra Daan) on this day will save one from the wrath of Lord Shani. People also worship Dhanya Lakshmi and Dhana Lakshmi during this period to get the blessings of a successful life.
Magha/Mauni Amavasya – माघ अमावस्या (Friday) February 9th, 2024:
Mauni Amavasya which is also known as ‘Mauna Amavasya’ and ‘Bhomavati Amavasya’ is a very ancient and unique Hindu tradition observed on the ‘no moon day’ (Amavasya) in the Hindu month of Magha. This Amavasya usually falls in January or February according to the Gregorian calendar. On the auspicious day of Mauni Amavasya, Hindus practice silence throughout this day based on the principles listed in the ancient Hindu science of Yoga, it is also called the new moon of silence. It is considered highly auspicious to take a holy bath in sacred rivers on this day.
Phalguna Amavasya – फाल्गुन अमावस्या (Sunday) March 10th, 2024:
Phalguna Amavasya, highly auspicious being the last Amavasya of the year. Devotees observe a fast, bathe in holy rivers, and perform tarpan and Shradh on this day for the peace of the ancestors. If it falls on the day of Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday; then it is more auspicious and fruitful.
Chaitra Amavasya – चैत्र अमावस्या (Monday) April 8th, 2024:
The Amavasya or no moon day, observed in the month of Chaitra in the traditional Hindu calendar is distinguished as Chaitra Amavasya. Since this is the first Amavasya of the year, it is considered very important for making important decisions in life and for spiritual activities. This falls in the month of March–April. Chaitra Amavasya Vrat is highly popular among the Hindus and the presiding deity to be worshipped on this day is Lord Vishnu. Chaitra Amavasya is highly recommended for a holy dip in the Ganges or at the dedicated Kumbh Mela destinations including Hardwar, Prayagraj, Nashik, and Ujjain.
Vaishakha Amavasya – वैशाख अमावस्या (Wednesday) May 8th, 2024:
Vaishakha Amavasya is also called Pitru Amavasya. On this day, it is important for devotees to observe fasting, and performing Homam gives peace to your ancestors. Bathing donations are of great importance during Vaishakh Amavasya. During this time, bathing in rivers is considered to be the best. Any remedy performed on this day has very strong and effective results and moreover, the results are seen much faster than normal days.
Jyeshtha Amavasya – ज्येष्ठ अमावस्या (Thursday) June 6th, 2024:
Jyeshtha Amavasya is also the day of Vat Savitri Vrat, a vow observed by women in many states. Many women observe this Vrat for the longevity of their husbands. Shani Jayanti is also celebrated on the Amavasya of Jyeshtha month in the North and Vaishakha month in the South. The day also being Amavasya (No Moon or New Moon) it holds great importance to have a bath in a holy river. Charity (Daan) and Tarpan (offering Arghya – water – to the Sun God) also assumes great importance this day.
Ashadha Amavasya – आषाढ़ अमावस्या (Friday) July 5th, 2024:
Ashadha Amavasya is also called Deepaanvit Amavasya. On this day the ritualistic worship of lamps (deep) is done. The married women gather all the lamps in the house and clean them thoroughly and place them together. It is observed ritually in Maharashtra and in some parts of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. It is believed that the energy of the light of the diyas drives out all the evil and bad powers and welcome new brightness into their life. This day also marks the commencement of Shravan month.
Shravana/Hariyali Amavasya – श्रावण अमावस्या (Sunday) August 4th, 2024:
Shravan or Hariyali Amavasya is regarded as a very auspicious day for ancestral worship. On the day of Hariyali Amavasya, people tend to worship Lord Shiva and celebrate the arrival of the monsoon season. The Amavasya in the month of Shravan is also known as Pithori Amavasya when fast is observed for the whole day.
Bhadrapada Amavasya – भाद्रपद अमावस्या (Monday) September 2nd, 2024:
Bhadra Amavasya is also known as Pithori Amavasya, Bhado Amavasya, or Kushopatini Amavasya is a non-moon day in the month of Bhadrapada (August-September). Since the month of Bhadrapada is dedicated to Lord Krishna, it also increases the importance of Bhadrapada Amavasya. On the day of Bhadrapada Amavasya, women worship the feminine power, Goddess Durga.
Ashwin Amavasya – अश्विन अमावस्या (Wednesday) October 2nd, 2024:
Ashwin Amavasya is also called Pitru Paksha (Mahalaya) and is especially sacred for offering oblations to departed ancestors. Every Amavasya Tithi is considered auspicious for worshipping of forefathers and performing rituals, but Sarva Pitru Amavasya is considered very sacred for offering oblations to departed ancestors. Mahalaya marks the end of Pitru Paksha Shraddha and heralds the beginning of Durga Puja for Bengalis.
Kartik Amavasya – कार्तिक अमावस्या (Friday) November 1st, 2024:
Krishna Paksha of Kartik month holds great importance in Hinduism. Diwali and Kali Pooja fall on Kartik Amavasya when Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped. Along with celebrating Diwali, on this day, offerings are done to ancestors, and charity is done.
Margashirsha Amavasya – मार्गशीर्ष अमावस्या (Sunday) December 1st, 2024:
The Amavasya of the Margashirsha month is called Margashirsha Amavasya, a month that concurs with gregorian December it is known as Aghan Amavasya at certain places. It is an ideal day for paying obeisance to dead ancestors apart from worshipping Lord Krishna and Maa Lakshmi. In Bhagwad Gita, Lord Krishna himself says that he is the Margashirsha month out of all the months. It is so considered as Lord Krishna imparted knowledge of Geeta in Margashirsha month.
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