The month of Aadi holds great importance in Tamil culture. It is said to be the month wherein divine forces bless the earth with grace.
On this day, offering Pitru Tarpanam (ancestral prayers), to our forefathers helps their souls to attain salvation and bestow blessings upon us. It is also believed that during the month of Aadi, the Sun starts its movement towards the South, known as ‘Dakshinayana,’ and snce it is the first New Moon during Dakshinayana, it is considered to be auspicious for performing ancestral rituals.
Aadi Amavasai timing is:
8.20pm (27th July) – 10.16pm (28th July) 2022.
STORY OF AADI AMMAVASYA
According to the great Hindu epic Mahabharata, every human soul is considered to be indebted to the Hindu Trinity: Lord Brahma, Lord Maha Vishnu and Lord Shiva with three important debts. ‘Pitru Rin,’ (ancestral obeisance) is one of them that is offered to Lord Brahma and is allowed by running tarpanam (rituals) by children to their ancestors.
RITUALS OF AADI AMMAVASYA
It is always ideal to perform these rituals on the natural water bodies (sea, pond, river or lake) to obtain the blessings of our ancestors. Taking a dip into the holy waters like the Ganges, is ideal for this ritual as one dip is equivalent to a thousand rebirths, promising you a renewal in everything past, present and future.
The ritual of using conch shell with water is also profound and is considered equal to a sacred bath: collect water in a conch shell and offer rose water, rose petals and sandalwood paste onto the conch shell, set an intention of cleansing your body and space with this sacred water and sprinkle the water all over you from head to toe. You can also sprinkle water all over your home to cleanse the energies of your home. Then offer incense over your body and your home – you are now purified.
You can then offer ancestral prayers to your ancestors with black sesame seeds with water, asking them to bless you and your home. Ask from the depths of your heart. Do not be afraid to ask your ancestors to heal your family lineage from illness, curses, debts and sufferings.
When you have offered black sesame seed and water to your ancestors, offer them incense, fruits and sweets and anything else you wish to give – leave these offerings on a banana leaf on the Eastern quadrant of your home (outside) and allow your ancestors to receive your offerings. Performing the Aadi Ammavasya ancestral prayers can help relieve negative karma, increase prosperity and bring good luck, robust health and can free the souls of our deceased ancestors.
According to the Garuda Purana, offering your ancestors sesame seeds and water on this day pleases them and can ensure you longevity, success, debt relief, destruction of enemies and the birthing of offsprings into your life.
May you live in your sacred blessings.
Image credit: Pinterest.
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