Polala Amavasya

Polala Amavasya is one of the important fasting days dedicated to Goddess Poleramma. It is observed on the �amavasya� (no moon day) during the �Shravana� masam in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Hence this festival is also known as �Shravana Amavasya�. According to the Hindu legends, Goddess Poleramma or Goddess Pochamma is considered to be protector or guardian of children, and married women therefore keep the Polala Amavasya vratam for the wellness and longevity of their children. Polala Amavasya is also referred as �Pithori Amavasya�.

Polala Amavasya is majorly a festival observed in South India, particularly in the state of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and adjoining areas. It is celebrated with immense devotion and enthusiasm. The observance of Polala Amavasya is very much similar to �Shital Sasthi� in Orissa and �Sheetal Saptami� puja in the northern states of India. Goddess Poleramma is considered to be the local deity who protects children from all evils and mishaps. She is believed to be one of main incarnation of Goddess Shakti or Durga. The day of worshipping Poleramma coincides with �amavasya� each year; hence this vratam is called as �Polala Amavasya. On this day special rituals and pujas are organized in Poleramma temples, all across India.

Significance of Polala Amavasya:

The festival of Polala Amavasya holds immense significance for women bearing children. As Goddess Poleramma is the protector of children, mothers worship Her with full dedication and affection. By observing a fast on this day, it is believed that Goddess Poleramma will protect the children from several diseases, particularly small pox and chicken pox. As the month of Shravana corresponds to months of July-August that marks the onset of monsoon season, diseases spread quickly during this time. As Children are most vulnerable, Polala Amavasya vratam is observed to keep children healthy.

Rituals during Polala Amavasya:

• The day of Polala Amavasya is dedicated to Goddess Poleramma and this festival is mainly observed by married women in Andhra Pradesh. The women get up early on this day and finish their morning chores to make preparations for the special puja.
• On this day, women sketch a picture of the �Pochamma Temple� at the place of worship and offer the �shodashopachar� puja there to the Goddess. During the puja, a sacred thread known as �Raksha Daaram� or �Raksha Thoranam� is also worshipped. After the completion of puja rituals, women tie this �Raksha Daaram� to their children to ensure their safety. On this day they also read the story of the mother who brought back her dead children after worshipping Goddess Poleramma.
• On Polala Amavasya special offerings are prepared to offer to Goddess Poleramma. Women prepare fried sweet balls made from jaggery and chana dal for the welfare of male children whereas urad dal vadas are offered to the Goddess for the wellbeing of female child.
• During the time of puja several mantras or prayers dedicated to Goddess Shakti like �Durga Stuti�, �Gauri Astottaram� and �Bhavani Astakam� are chanted all through the day.
• Women also keep a strict fast on this day to please Goddess Pochamma. There is no �Udyapana� for this vratam and it can be observed by all.

2016 Date : 1^stSeptember.

Hariyali Amavasya

Hariyali Amavasya is an important Hindu observance celebrated on the �amavasya� (no moon day) during the �Krishna Paksha� (the waning phase of moon) in the �Shravana� month of the traditional Hindu calendar. Also referred as the �Festival of Greenery�, it marks the onset of the monsoon season. Hariyali Amavasya is the first Amavasya of the Shravana month and this date falls during the months of July-August in the Gregorian calendar. Like other Amavasya, it holds strong religious values for the people of Hindu community. Hariyali Amavasya is celebrated with great fervour as the festival of rainy season and in this day people come out and enjoy the seamless beauty of Nature. On this day, Lord Shiva is worshipped with full devotion.

In Hindi language, �Amavasya� implies �no moon day� and �Hariyali� means �greenery�, therefore Hariyali Amavasya is observed as moon festival during the rainy season, when the nature blossoms at it best. The festivities of Hariyali Amavasya are very renowned in Northern states of India like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. It is famous in other regions as well but with different names. In Maharashtra it is called �Gatari Amavasya�, in Andhra Pradesh as �Chukkala Amavasya� and in Orissa it is celebrated as �Chitalagi Amavasya�. As with the names, the rituals and traditions vary in different parts of the country, but the spirit of celebrations remains same.

Significance of Hariyali Amavasya:

Hariyali Amavasya is an eventful day for Hindus that falls three days before the celebrations of �Hariyali Teej�. The month of �Shravana� is the 5th month of Hindu lunar calendar that is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Moreover this month is also associated with monsoon season that in turn is crucial for good harvest and prevention of draughts. According to the Hindu legends, the month of �Shravana� is auspicious for gaining the blessings of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. On Hariyali Amavasya performing Pirtu Tarpan and Daan Punya activities is also considered to be very rewarding.

Also in the Hindu culture, trees are represented in the form of Gods and people worship them on Hariyali Amavasya. In some regions there is a tradition of worshipping the �Peepal� tree on this day. As Hariyali Amavasya marks the start of the monsoon season, planting a sapling on this day is considered to be very fruitful.

Rituals during Hariyali Amavasya:

• In Hinduism, the day of Amavasya s dedicated to one�s ancestors or forefathers. Much in the same way, on Hariyali Amavasya, devotees get up early and take a bath. Following this, puja is performed to appease the ancestors or �pitrs�. Special meal is prepared and offered to Brahmins. The male member of the family performs all the ancestral rites to offer peace to their deceased family members.
• The festival of Hariyali Amavasya is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Devotees worship Him with full devotion and seek His blessings for good rains and bountiful harvest. Shiva Puja on Hariyali Amavasya is believed to bring wealth and prosperity. Devotees recite Vedic mantras dedicated to Lord Shiva and sing bhajans in His praise. Special darshan and rituals are held in Lord Shiva temples all across the country.
• In some regions, people also observe a fast on this day. Only meal is taken during the day after completing all the puja rituals.
• Grand fairs are also organised on Hariyali Amavasya in different parts of the India. In Udaipur, the celebrations last for three continuous days. Fun, food and frolic marks this grand fair. Women collectively pray for the welfare of their husbands.

 2016 Date : 2^ndAugust.

Bhaumvati Amavasya

Bhaumvati Amavasya is referred as an occurrence of �Amavasya� on a Tuesday. According to the Hindu scriptures, Amavasya refers to dark moon lunar phase that occurs every month in the Hindu calendar. Amavasya that falls on a Tuesday is therefore known as Bhaumvati Amavasya. This day is considered to be very auspicious for performing ancestral tires like �pitru daan� and �pitru tarpan�. Hindu devotees worship their ancestors on this day to seek their blessings for prosperity and peace in life. Bhaumvati Amavasya is also called as �Bhaumya Amavasya� or �Bhomvati Amavasya�.

According to the North Indian calendar, Bhaumvati Amavasya normally falls during the Hindu month of �Ashad� while as per the Amavasyant calendar followed in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu; it is observed as �Jyestha Amavasya�. The day of Bhaumvati Amavasya is dedicated to worshipping planet Mars (Mangal) and is therefore very apt for remedying any Mangal Dosh, in one�s kundli. This day is also propitious for performing �Daan� and �Punya� activities. Bhaumvati Amavasya is celebrated with great fervour and devotion in all parts of the country.

Significance of Bhaumvati Amavasya:

The religious significance of Bhaumvati Amavasya is mentioned in several Hindu scriptures and Puranas. The day of Bhaumvati Amavasya is very rewarding for worshipping Planet Mars as it is believed that when New Moon falls on a Tuesday, it happens to be more auspicious on different chapters of life based on penance and devotion. Any form of charity done on this day proves very fruitful and also helps in attainment of liberation or �moksha�. A person performing charity on Bhaumvati Amavasya is generously blessed by Lord Mars to live a blissful life. This day is particularly meritorious for those individuals who suffer from the malefic effects of Mangal Dosh. Also Planets Mars is also referred as �Rina Harta� implying the �remover of debts�. Therefore the day of Bhaumvati Amavasya is very beneficial for those who want to get rid of financial problems.

Besides Bhaumvati Amavasya is also a chosen day for pleasing and worshipping forefathers or �pitrs�. It turns out to be an opportunity for those individuals who could not worship their forefathers during the �Chatur Maas� period. When Bhaumvati Amavasya falls during the �Adhik� Maas it becomes even more auspicious. It is aptly stated that Bhaumvati Amavasya is a unique occurrence that happens rarely in a year, and therefore one must make as much benefits of this day as possible.

Rituals during Bhaumvati Amavasya:

• On Bhaumvati Amavasya, Hindu devotees get up early and take a dip in the holy rivers. This ritualistic bath gives freedom from all grief and sins.
• The main deity of worship on Bhaumvati Amavasya is Planets Mars, also known as �Angaraka Graha, Kuja Graha or Mangal Graha. Hindu devotees worship Him devotedly to seek His divine blessings. On this day, one must recite the �Mangal Rina Harta Stotra� that should be followed by �Navgrah Shanti Hawan�. Doing this will provide relief from any financial constraints.
• Performing Shraddha rituals and tarpan is believed to be a very auspicious act. Devotees also feed Brahmins on this day to offer peace to the departed souls. Offering charity or donation on Bhaumvati Amavasya also appeases the ancestors and they shower blessings on their descendants.
• Some people also observe fast on Bhaumvati Amavasya. It is believed that fasting on this day, frees them from any �Pitr Dosh�.
• In some regions there is also a tradition of worshipping Lord Vishnu and �Peepal� tree on Bhaumvati Amavasya.

2016 Date : 2nd August.