Thai Amavasai(Amavasya) Festival Celebration in 2025

What is Thai Amavasai? | Meaning of Thai Amavasya

As per the Tamil calendar, Thai Amavasya is observed as the no moon day in the month of Thai. It is dedicated to the departed souls, parents, siblings, relatives and ancestors. It will be celebrated on Friday, February 9, 2024. Special prayers, shraadh, tarpan, other rituals and offerings are made on this day. Thai Amavasya is the first Amavasya during Uttarayan, northward movement of the sun. Therefore, it is beneficial to perform holy activities on this day.

When is Thai Amavasai in 2025: Date, Time & Tithi

Thai Amavasai on Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Amavasai Tithi Begins - 19:35 on Jan 28, 2025
Amavasai Tithi Ends - 18:05 on Jan 29, 2025

How Is Thai Amavasya Celebrated?

In Tamil Nadu, devotees take a dip in the holy river. On Thai Amavasya, the souls of the dead visit the earth to bless their lineage. Thousands of devotees take a dip at Rameshwaram and visit Agnitheertham Kadarkarai to offer pujas. Special prayers are offered to the Navagrahas at Devipattinam, Rameshwaram. A special procession is organised at Sri Ramanathaswamy temple for carrying the murtis of Shiva, Lord Ram and Sita Maa. The procession ends at Agnitheertham. Special prayers and pujas are performed at several places at Kanyakumari, Rameshwaram, Dhanushkoddi, Muhuntharayarchatram, Sethukarai and Devipattinam in Tamil Nadu. It is also known as Mauni Amavasya in North India. On this day, Triveni Amavasya is observed at Odisha. Thousands of people take a dip at Rameshwaram and visit the Agnitheertham Kadarkarai coast in the morning to offer pooja to the ancestors.

Significance Of Thai Amavasya

Thai Amavasya is usually observed from January 15 to February 12, which also signifies the month of harvest. During this time, Pongal Festival is celebrated by feasting on harvest rice. It is also known as Mauni Amavasya in north India. Hindus observe complete silence on the day.

Non-performance of austerities is believed to bring bad luck and could be a cause for Pitru Dosha. Devotees, therefore, choose a particular date to perform ceremonies to propitiate the departed souls.

What Is Amavasya?

New Moon day is known as Amavasya or Amavasai. In Sanskrit, ama means together, and vasya means to dwell. As per the Hindu lunar calendar, a lunar month starts on Purnima or on a full moon day, and Amavasya falls in the middle. On the same day, the festival of Pongal is also celebrated.

The dark Moon denotes when the Moon is within 12 degrees of the angular distance between the Sun and Moon before the conjunction. The New Moon tithi is called Pratipada or Prathama is the 12 angular degrees. In the Purṇimanta Mana, the lunar month commences on the day, following the full moon. As per the amānta māna calendar, the lunar month begins on the new moon day leading upto Amāvásyā the last day of the lunar month. Many festivals including Diwali is observed on Amavasya.

Thai Amavasya Celebration

The soul leaves the body after death and starts its heavenly journey towards Pitru Loka, the land of the ancestors, where they stay before reincarnation. When they reside in Pitru Loka, they feel the pangs of hunger and thirst. The ritualistic offerings are given with faith and love to seek the blessings of the ancestors.

Rituals Of Thai Amavasya

On this day, devotees remember their ancestors with gratitude. Rituals like Tarpanam, Thila Homa and Pinda Dhanam are performed. It is considered sacred if such shraadh is performed at holy places, pilgrim centres, and on the banks of the water bodies. Hence, devotees flock to Haridwar, Prayag Triveni Sangam at Allahabad, Rameshwaram, Kanyakumari and other river ghats to perform various rituals.

During Tarpanam, sesame seeds and water are offered to the ancestors on Thai Amavasya. It helps to overcome obstacles. It is believed that by performing Tarpanam, seven generations can be freed from past karmas. Tarpanam, not only helps to liberate from past curses and sins but also neutralizes the desires of ancestors. During this time, Abhishekam and pooja/archana is performed and Mantras are chanted.

Benefits of Tharpanam on Thai Amavasya

It resolves problems related to health, wealth, and relationships and provides remedies for Pitru Dosha. The ancestors bestow blessings for peace and longevity. They will also be liberated from their curse and continue with their subsequent lives. It also resolves relationship issues and bestows health, wealth, success, peace and happiness.

Amavasya Somvati

Amavasya is a New Moon day being one of the most significant days for performing various rituals. A New Moon day on Monday (Somavara) is called Somvati Amavasya. This Amavasya happens once is a year therefore it offers a great opportunity for ritualistic ceremonies. Monday is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and Somvati Amavasya is an opportune day for married couples to wish for the longer life of their husbands. It is said that if a man is suffering from a prolonged disease, his wife can fast on this day and circumambulate a peepal tree as a ritual, praying for his recovery and prolonged life. Also, one can perform Shradha to please their ancestors for blessings. It is believed that a fast would ward off widowhood for women and ensure bearing of progeny.