Somvati Amavasya

Somvati Amavasya refers to an Amavasya Tithi that falls on a Monday. In the Sanatana tradition, Monday is dedicated to Lord Shiva, while Amavasya is considered significant for remembrance of one’s ancestors. For this reason, the day is traditionally associated with the worship of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, sacred bathing, Pitru Tarpana, charity and the worship of the Peepal tree.

Married women may observe this Vrat according to family tradition while praying for enduring marital auspiciousness and the welfare of the family. Men and unmarried devotees may also worship Lord Shiva, remember their ancestors and perform charity on this sacred day.

Religious Significance of Somvati Amavasya

In several traditions, Somvati Amavasya is associated with the Ashvattha Pradakshina Vrat. Ashvattha refers to the sacred Peepal tree. While worshipping and circumambulating the tree, devotees remember Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and the Pitru Devas. The number of Pradakshinas may vary according to family and regional tradition.

Popular Somvati Amavasya Vrat Katha

According to a popular traditional story, there once lived a poor Brahmin couple with their virtuous daughter. The girl had reached marriageable age, but despite many efforts, her marriage could not be arranged. One day, a Sadhu visited their home. The girl served him with great devotion, humility and respect. Pleased with her service, the Sadhu blessed her, but said that he could see an obstacle related to marriage in her destiny.

The worried parents asked the Sadhu for a remedy. He told them that a washerwoman named Sona lived in a nearby village. She was known as a virtuous, selfless and devoted wife. The Sadhu explained that if the girl served Sona with a selfless heart and Sona, being pleased with her devotion, blessed her with her own Saubhagya, the girl’s difficulty might be overcome.

From the following day, the girl began visiting Sona’s house before dawn. She quietly cleaned the house and completed necessary household work before returning home without telling anyone. Sona and her daughter-in-law each assumed that the other had done the work. When this continued for several days, they decided to discover who was responsible. Sona eventually saw the girl serving silently and asked her the reason for doing so.

The girl explained everything the Sadhu had told her. Deeply moved by her sincere and selfless service, Sona agreed to help her. According to the traditional story, during the girl’s wedding Sona placed Sindoor from her own Maang into the bride’s Maang and blessed her with enduring Saubhagya. At that very moment, Sona’s husband passed away. Sona sensed what had happened, but she first fulfilled the promise she had made and then returned home.

That day was Somvati Amavasya. Sona had taken a Sankalpa that she would drink water only after worshipping and circumambulating a Peepal tree. On finding a Peepal tree along the way, she performed the traditional Bhavari offering with whatever simple items were available and completed 108 Pradakshinas with sincere devotion. According to the Katha, through the spiritual merit of her Vrat, selfless service and truthfulness, her husband was restored to life.

This popular traditional story teaches the importance of selfless service, keeping one’s word, truthfulness and sincerity. Its purpose is not to present a miracle as a guaranteed outcome, but to remind devotees that righteous conduct, compassion and steadfast devotion should accompany religious worship.

॥ Somvati Amavasya Vrat Katha Sampurnam ॥

Puja Items for Somvati Amavasya

An image of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati
Clean water for the Shivlinga
Water, Roli, Akshata and flowers for Peepal worship
Incense, a lamp, camphor and Naivedya
Raw cotton thread or Mauli, only if followed in the family tradition
Fruits and items for charity

Simple Puja Method for Somvati Amavasya

Take a bath in the morning, wear clean clothes and take a Sankalpa for the Vrat or Puja.
Offer water to Surya Deva and respectfully remember your ancestors.
Perform Jalabhishek of Lord Shiva and offer flowers and traditional Saubhagya items to Goddess Parvati.
Offer only the necessary amount of water at the roots of the Peepal tree. Worship with Roli, Akshata, flowers and a lamp.
Perform Pradakshina according to your tradition and physical capacity. Completing 108 circumambulations is a widely followed practice, but fewer may be performed with devotion if health does not permit.
Do not tie thread in a way that harms the trunk or branches of the tree, and do not leave plastic or unusable Puja materials around it.
Read the Somvati Amavasya Katha, perform the Aarti of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and pray for the welfare of the family.
Offer food grains, fruits, clothes or other useful items in charity according to your capacity.

Somvati Amavasya Mantras

Om Namah Shivaya॥

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya॥

Om Sarvebhyo Pitribhyo Namah॥

Vrat Rules and Parana

Observe the fast according to your capacity, either with Phalahara or one Sattvic meal.
Avoid anger, falsehood, criticism and harsh speech.
Worship the Peepal tree without causing any harm to it.
Formal Pitru Tarpana should be performed according to family tradition.
Perform Parana after the evening Puja or on the following day according to your tradition.

Frequently Asked Questions About Somvati Amavasya

When is Somvati Amavasya observed?

When the Amavasya Tithi falls on a Monday, it is known as Somvati Amavasya. The exact Tithi and Puja timings should be checked according to the local Panchang.

Who is worshipped on Somvati Amavasya?

Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, Lord Vishnu and the sacred Peepal tree are traditionally worshipped on this day. Remembrance of ancestors, Tarpana and charity are also considered especially significant.

Why is the Peepal tree circumambulated on Somvati Amavasya?

In the tradition, the Peepal is revered as a sacred tree, and Somvati Amavasya is associated with the Ashvattha Pradakshina Vrat. While performing Pradakshina, devotees pray for the welfare of the family and peace for their ancestors.

Are 108 Pradakshinas compulsory on Somvati Amavasya?

Completing 108 Pradakshinas is a widely followed tradition, but if health or circumstances do not permit, fewer circumambulations may also be performed with sincere devotion. Devotional intention and the protection of the tree are more important.

What is the Somvati Amavasya Katha about?

The popular traditional story concerns a Brahmin girl and Sona the washerwoman, and highlights selfless service, keeping one’s word and the worship of the Peepal tree. The Katha conveys the values of truthfulness, service and devotion.

Can men observe the Somvati Amavasya Vrat?

Yes. Both men and women may observe this Vrat. Devotees may worship Lord Shiva, remember their ancestors, perform Mantra Jaap, give charity or fast according to their capacity.

What should be donated on Somvati Amavasya?

Food grains, fruits, clothes, sesame seeds and other useful items may be donated according to one’s capacity. Charity should consist of useful items and should always be offered respectfully.

When should Somvati Amavasya Vrat Parana be performed?

According to family tradition, Parana may be performed after the evening Puja or on the following Pratipada Tithi. It is advisable to consult the local Panchang for the appropriate timing.