Mauni Amavasya
{{Short description|Hindu festival in the lunar month of Magha}}
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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.{{Cite web |title=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 |url=https://www.jagran.com/spiritual/religion-kab-hai-mauni-amavasya-2025-when-is-mauni-amavasya-shubh-muhurat-puja-vidhi-23849171.html |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=Jagran |language=hi}}
Significance
Mauni Amavasya, as per the Hindu calendar, is followed on the new moon day of the Magha month.{{cite news |title=Mauni Amavasya 2024: Date, Tithi, Significance and Things to Avoid |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/new-updates/mauni-amavasya-2024-date-tithi-significance-and-things-to-avoid/articleshow/106863638.cms?from=mdr |access-date=20 November 2024 |publisher=The Economic Times |date=15 January 2024}} As the name "Mauni" is symbolic of silence,the day is spent in silence.{{cite news |title=Mauni Amavasya 2024: Date, significance, puja timings, rituals and all you want to know |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/festivals/mauni-amavasya-2024-date-significance-puja-timings-rituals-and-all-you-want-to-know-101707373231196.html |access-date=20 November 2024 |publisher=hindustantimes.com |date=9 February 2024}}{{cite news |title=Mauni Amavasya: A sacred opportunity for inner cleansing and reflection |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/astrology/others/mauni-amavasya-significance-rituals-and-spiritual-cleansing/articleshow/107497185.cms |access-date=24 November 2024 |work=The Times of India |date=7 February 2024}}
Things to avoid
On Mauni Amavasya day, it is suggested to avoid below things-{{cite news |title=Mauni Amavasya 2023: Check Tithi and important things to do on this day |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/new-updates/mauni-amavasya-2023-check-tithi-and-important-things-to-do-on-this-day/articleshow/97197174.cms?from=mdr |access-date=20 November 2024 |publisher=The Economic Times |date=21 January 2023}}{{cite news |title=What is Mauni Amavasya? Date, time, and significance |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/events/what-is-mauni-amavasya-date-time-and-significance/articleshow/107486219.cms |access-date=24 November 2024 |work=The Times of India |date=8 February 2024}}
- 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{{cite news |title=Mauni Amavasya 2024: Date, Puja Time, Rituals and Significance |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/religion/rituals-puja/mauni-amavasya-2024-date-and-time-know-puja-rituals-and-significance/articleshow/107475085.cms |access-date=20 November 2024 |work=The Times of India |date=9 February 2024}}{{cite news |title=Mauni Amavasya 2023 tomorrow! Why is this considered the most auspicious of all 12 amavasyas |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/spiritual/mauni-amavasya-2023-tomorrow-why-is-this-considered-the-most-auspicious-of-all-12-amavasyas-article-97166328 |access-date=20 November 2024 |publisher=Times Now |date=20 January 2023 |language=en}}
- 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.