Somvati Amavasya 2024: Date, time, significance, puja details & more

This April 8th, many in India will celebrate Somvati Amavasya - a day that holds religious and spiritual importance for many Hindus. This year, the Somvati Amavasya coincides with a Solar Eclipse, adding to its significance. Also, it will be the first Somvatri Amavasya of 2024.

Somvati Amavasya Significance
Somvati Amavasya is dedicated to worship ancestors or forefathers and hence people are advised to use it to get rid of Pitru Dosha. Hence on this day, people go for a holy dip in the Ganga and perform rituals like hawan and yajna, charity, feeding animals, reciting mantras, and more.


Note that Somvati Amavasya is considered inauspicious for activities like marriages and housewarming ceremonies. Given the Solar Eclipse occurrence, meditation and yoga practice are recommended for spiritual benefits. Chanting mantras related to deities like Lord Surya and engaging in Bhagavad Gita recitations are suggested to ward off negative energies.

For those observing Somvati Amavasya, a traditional puja ritual involves waking early, bathing, offering prayers to Lord Surya and performing rituals like Jalabhishekam to Lord Shiva. Hosting a Brahmin at home for a sattvik meal, conducting Pitru Tarpan, and organizing a Gayatri Paath are customary practices.

Chanting mantras dedicated to Lord Surya, Lord Shani, Lord Shiva, and Lord Hanuman is believed to be beneficial during this time, especially with the Solar Eclipse. A popular mantra recited is "Om Namah Shivaye..!!Om Ghrani Suryaye Namah..!!Om Ham Hanumate Namah..!!Neelanjana Samabhasam Ravi Putram Yamagrajam Chhaya Martand Shambhutam Tam Namami Shanaishcharam..!!"

On Somvati Amavasya, devotees are encouraged to engage in spiritual activities, rituals, and prayers to seek blessings and purification. The day holds special meaning due to the alignment with the Solar Eclipse, making it a time for introspection and spiritual growth.

Somvati Amavasya 2024: Date and Time
The Amavasya Tithi will begin on 03:21 AM on April 8, 2024 and ends on the next day, i.e. at 11:50 PM on April 9, 2024.

Somvati Amavasya 2024: Puja Vidhi

1. Wake up early in the morning and take a holy bath.
2. People are advised to go to religious places to take holy bath in Ganga river.
3. Offer prayers to Lord Surya by offering him water.
4. Perform Jalabhishekam to Lord Shiva.
5. Those who are at home, they can prepare the sattvik food and invite the Brahmin or priest at home.
6. Perform Pitru Tarpan through a qualified Priest or Brahmin.
7. People can do the same thing near Ganga Ghat also where they can perform this procedure.
8. Organise a Gayatri Paath that helps to remove Pitru Dosha.
9. People must give clothes, food and Dakshina to Brahmins.
10. Chanting Mnatra related to Lord Surya, Lord Shani, Lord Shiva and Lord Hanuman would be beneficial on thgis day as it will conincide with Surya Grahan.

Mantra

During Somvati Amavasya, people usually chant this mantra - "Om Namah Shivaye..!!Om Ghrani Suryaye Namah..!!Om Ham Hanumate Namah..!!Neelanjana Samabhasam Ravi Putram Yamagrajam Chhaya Martand Shambhutam Tam Namami Shanaishcharam..!!"