Hariyali Amavasya is observed on the Amavasya Tithi of the sacred month of Shravan. During the monsoon season, nature becomes lush and green, which is why this Tithi is known as Hariyali Amavasya. It is also called Shravani Amavasya. The day is associated with the worship of Lord Shiva, remembrance of ancestors, tree plantation and expressing gratitude towards nature.
In many regions of North India, special temple Darshan and traditional fairs are organised on this occasion. Farmers honour their agricultural tools, while devotees plant trees such as Peepal, Banyan, Neem, Amla and other species suitable for the local climate.
Religious Significance of Hariyali Amavasya
The month of Shravan is regarded as especially sacred for the worship of Lord Shiva. Therefore, Jalabhishek of the Shivlinga, Mantra Jaap and charity are widely observed on Hariyali Amavasya. As it is also an Amavasya Tithi, devotees remember their ancestors with reverence. Planting a tree is not merely a symbolic religious act, but also an expression of responsibility towards future generations and all living beings.
Popular Hariyali Amavasya Vrat Katha
According to a popular traditional story, there once lived a king who resided happily in his palace with his family. His son was married, and his daughter-in-law also lived in the palace. One day, the daughter-in-law saw some sweets kept in the kitchen. Overcome by temptation, she ate all the sweets. When the family asked what had happened to them, instead of admitting her mistake, she claimed that the mice had eaten them.
The mice in the palace heard this false accusation. They became displeased and decided to make the daughter-in-law understand the consequences of speaking untruthfully. A few days later, guests arrived at the palace. Taking advantage of the opportunity, the mice carried the daughter-in-law’s sari from her room and placed it in the guest’s chamber.
The next morning, when the sari was discovered in the guest’s room, people began to question the daughter-in-law’s character without first learning the truth. The matter eventually reached the king. Without conducting a proper enquiry, the king also believed her to be guilty and ordered her to leave the palace.
The daughter-in-law began living in a small hut. Despite her suffering, she maintained her faith in the Divine. Every day, she lit a lamp beneath a Peepal tree, worshipped with devotion, offered Gud-Dhani as Naivedya and distributed the Prasada among others. Even during her difficult circumstances, she did not abandon service, self-restraint or Bhakti.
One day, the king passed near the Peepal tree. He saw many lamps glowing around it and was greatly surprised. After returning to the palace, he instructed his soldiers to discover the reason behind the mysterious illumination. The soldiers went near the tree and, according to the traditional story, heard the lamps narrating their respective stories to one another.
One of the lamps said that the king’s daughter-in-law lit it every day. The other lamps asked why she was living outside the palace. The lamp then revealed the entire truth—the daughter-in-law had eaten the sweets herself and falsely blamed the mice. In retaliation, the mice had placed her sari in the guest’s room, and the king had expelled her without investigating the matter properly.
The soldiers reported everything to the king. The king deeply regretted his decision. After examining the truth, he respectfully invited his daughter-in-law back to the palace. She too admitted her original mistake and acknowledged that she had spoken falsely. Peace and harmony were eventually restored within the family.
This popular traditional story teaches that a single untruth can give rise to many difficulties and that accusing someone without proper enquiry is also unjust. At the same time, it reminds devotees that patience, Bhakti, service and the courage to accept the truth can ultimately guide life back towards the right path.
॥ Hariyali Amavasya Vrat Katha Sampurnam ॥
Puja Items for Hariyali Amavasya
- An image of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati or a Shivlinga
- Clean water, Gangajal and Bilva leaves
- Sandalwood paste, Akshata and flowers
- Incense, a lamp, camphor and Sattvic Naivedya
- A healthy sapling of a locally suitable tree species
- Compost, water and a tree guard for protecting the sapling
- Food grains, fruits or clothes for charity
Simple Puja Method for Hariyali Amavasya
- Take a bath in the morning, wear clean clothes and take a Sankalpa for Shiva Puja, remembrance of ancestors and service to nature.
- Perform Jalabhishek of Lord Shiva. Offer Bilva leaves, sandalwood paste, Akshata and flowers, and chant the mantra “Om Namah Shivaya”.
- Offer respectful salutations to your known and unknown ancestors. Formal Tarpana should be performed according to family tradition.
- Plant a sapling suitable for the local climate in an appropriate place. Obtain permission before planting on public property.
- Water the sapling, arrange proper protection and take a Sankalpa to care for it regularly. Merely planting a tree and abandoning it is not sufficient.
- If worshipping an established Peepal or another living tree, offer only the amount of water it requires and do not leave plastic, cloth or other waste around it.
- Read the Hariyali Amavasya Katha, perform Lord Shiva’s Aarti and pray for the well-being of nature and the family.
- Offer food, fruits, clothes or other assistance to people in need according to your capacity.
Hariyali Amavasya Mantras
Om Namah Shivaya॥
Om Sarvebhyo Pitribhyo Namah॥
Rules to Follow on Hariyali Amavasya
- Plant only a sapling that can be cared for regularly.
- Give preference to native and environmentally suitable tree species.
- Do not attach nails, plastic, wires or other harmful materials to a living tree.
- Avoid non-vegetarian food, alcohol, falsehood, criticism and anger.
- Keep water sources and places of worship clean.
- Observe fasting according to your health and physical capacity.