Aadi Amavasai– People throng sacred spots!
Posted on: 26/Jul/2014 2:39:19 PM
As a tradition of performing rites to the departed ancestors on the day of ‘Aadi Amavasai’ (New Moon during the Tamil month of Aadi), people in large numbers have gathered at different sacred spots.
Large crowds have gathered at sacred places like Rameswaram, Papanasam, Thiruchendur, Tiruchi Amma Mandapam, Thiruvaiyaru, Thiruvenkaadu, Poompuhar, Thirubhubanam, Kodumudi, and Sorimuthu Ayyanar Temple.
Wonderful significance of Hindu religious traditions on ‘Aadi Amavasai’!
New Moon Day occurs every month. This is a traditional day for the Hindus to pray and perform religious rites for the departed ancestors and observing penance.
According to the Tamil calendar year, the New Moon Days occurring during the Tamil Months of ‘Thai’, ‘Aadi’, and ‘Purattasi’ are considered traditionally more important. Among these, ‘Aadi Amavasai’ is considered to be the most special!
As per the zodiacal observations, on the day of ‘Aadi Amavasai’, ‘Sun’ is supposed to traverse around the zodiac symbol of ‘Cancer’ where Moon keeps ascendance.
Sun represents Lord Siva & Moon represents the Goddess Sakthi. Since these two (sun & moon with Siva & Sakthi) join on the day of ‘Aadi Amavasai’, it is of special significance.
Penance is observed on this day as a mark of respect for the departed ancestors. However, special mention is made of the sons performing religious rites for the departed father.
The people performing the penance, known as ‘Tharpanam’ in Tamil, get up early in the mooring on this sacred day. They bathe in the pond or river. They perform the religious rites on the banks assisted by Brahmin priests.
Those who cannot bath in the river or pond can take bath in their houses and visit the nearest temple and perform the religious rite (tharpanam) there with the assistance of Brahmin priests.
Kasi or Banaras in India & Keerimalai coast in Sri Lanka are considered to be the most sacred spots for performing these traditional religious rites.
