ॐ तत्पुरुषाय विद्महे महादेवाय धीमहि।
तन्नो रुद्रः प्रचोदयात्॥
Bheemana Amavasya Vrata is a highly revered celebration in South India, particularly in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. During the no moon night of the Ashadha Month according to the Hindu Lunar calendar, women observe this fast. The Ashadha month signifies new beginnings in Hindu culture. This year, the Amavasi Vrata falls on August 04, 2024.
The Vrata commemorates the divine couple, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, and is observed to seek their blessings. Curious about the Bheemana Amavasya story, the pooja rituals, the tradition of making mud lamps, or the significance of placing coins in Kadubus? InstaAstro illuminates all the rituals and stories of this sacred Bheemana Amavasya Vrata.
The Story behind Bheemana Amavasya Vrata
The Bheemana Amavasya or Amavasi Vrata is also referenced in the sacred Skanda Purana. According to these holy texts, the story of this auspicious Vrata revolves around a Brahmin girl who married a dead prince. Through her prayers to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati on the no moon night of Ashada Masa, the Bheemana Amavasya Vrata unfolds.
Bheemana Amavasya Story
Once, a Brahmin girl lived with her parents, elder brother, and his wife. One day, her parents decided to go on a Kashi Yatra but didn’t want to take their unmarried daughter on such a long journey.
They left her with her brother and his wife. As days passed with no sign of the parents, the girl’s greedy brother decided to marry her off to a dead prince.
Despite this difficult situation, she remained resilient. Sitting by the Brahmaputra River with the dead prince, she remembered the Bheemana Amavasya Vrata, which her parents used to observe.
She quickly made mud lamps and prayed to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, staying awake all night in deep meditation. While she was completely absorbed in her devotion, an old couple appeared and blessed her, saying, “Long live you and your husband. May you have a happy married life.”
When the prince awoke, she realized the couple were none other than Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati themselves, who had blessed her. Since that day, this Amavasi Vrata is also known as Jyotirbheemeshwara Vrata. Married women observe this fast for almost nine years after their marriage, similar to the “Sati Sanjeevani Vrata” in North India.
Rituals and Significance of Bheemana Amavasya Vrata
The holy texts detail every ritual, significance, and story behind this auspicious Vrata, which is celebrated annually in Karnataka. Let’s explore the Bheemana Amavasya Vrata pooja vidhi and some other interesting facts.
Deepastambha Pooja
The Bheemana Amavasya Vrata pooja vidhi is simple, making it accessible for everyone to perform. First, the person performing the pooja makes the Kalikamba lamps, which are simple elongated mud lamps. A yellow-colored thread (Kankana) is tied around them, symbolizing Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
Additionally, there is a tradition of making Thambittu, or flour lamps, to eradicate negativity from our minds and hearts, allowing us to pray with a clean heart. This is why this traditional Vrata is also known as Deepastambha Pooja or Vrata.
Rituals of Bheemana Amavasya Vrata
Kadubus, or dough balls, are made as offerings to the God and Goddess. Idlis, Kozhakattai, modaks, and wheat balls are also prepared, which are later smashed by the young boys or other males of the house. Fasting females should avoid fried foods after the pooja, instead including simple fruits, milk, and water (things Lord Shiva would appreciate) in their upvas thali.
Significance of Bheemana Amavasi Vrata
Married and unmarried women observe this fast for the longevity and prosperity of their husbands, fathers, brothers, sons, and other male family members. Married women must observe this Vrata for at least nine years after marriage, while unmarried women do so to pray for a good and virtuous husband.
Additionally, on the same day, many women keep a fast for their brothers, known as “Bandara,” which is similar to Raksha Bandhan in North India. This fast is observed by sisters for the longevity and good health of their brothers. In return, brothers give their sisters gifts and blessings, symbolizing their promise to protect them.
Conclusion
You have now read all the essential information related to “Bheemana Amavasya,” including its significance, rituals, and the Bheemana Amavasya story. This Vrata is observed by women for the longevity and prosperity of the males in their family and to seek blessings from the divine couple, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
In Karnataka, this Ashadha Masa festival is known as Bheemana Amavasya, while in North India, it is referred to as Hariyali Amavasya in Uttar Pradesh, Divaso in Gujarat, and Gatari Amavasya in Maharashtra.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why do we celebrate Bheemana Amavasya?
- Bheemana Amavasya is a fast observed by married and unmarried women for the longevity and prosperity of their husbands, fathers, brothers, and other male family members. Married women observe this fast for nearly nine years after marriage, while unmarried women do so to pray for a good husband.
- When do we celebrate Bheemana Amavasya?
- Bheemana Amavasya, or Amavasi, is an auspicious fast observed on the no moon night of the Ashadha month according to the Hindu lunar calendar, typically falling between July and August. Women observe this fast to pray to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati for blessings of a prosperous and long life for their loved ones.
- How to perform Bheemana Amavasya Vrata?
- The rituals of Bheemana Amavasya include making a pair of mud lamps called Kalikamba, symbolizing Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The pooja involves preparing dough balls, or Kadubus, with coins inside. Traditional offerings like idlis, kozhakattai, modaks, and wheat balls are also made. At the end of the pooja, the Kadubus are smashed by the males in the household.
- When is Bheemana Amavasya in 2024?
- According to the Hindu lunar calendar, Bheemana Amavasya will be observed on August 04, 2024. This no moon day falls in the Ashadha Masa (July to August), a month considered auspicious for new beginnings in Hindu culture.
ॐ नमः शिवाय शांताय करुणानिधानाय।
जगत् पिता महादेवाय नमः॥
