Mauni Amavasya, also popularly known as Maghi Amavasya, is celebrated on the 15th day of the Krishna Paksha of the month of Magh according to the Hindu calendar. The day is considered quite auspicious during this time as it is believed that on this Amavasya, the water of the most sacred river in Hinduism, Ganga turns into ‘nectar’ and that is why on this day, Hindus take a holy dip in the sacred Ganges.
The Mauni Amavasya 2020 falls on Friday, January 24. Mauni Amavasya has varied names according to different regions. It is known as Chollangi Amavasya in Andhra Pradesh, Darsh Amavasya in some other parts of India. It is associated with keeping yourself ‘maun’ or mum, the days signifies the learning the virtue of patience and prudence.
During the Kumbh Mela in Prayag (Allahabad), Mauni Amavasya is the most important day for bathing in the holy Ganges and is popularly referred to as the day of ‘Kumbh Parva’ or ‘Amrit Yoga’.
Mauni Amavasya is a day dedicated to spiritual sadhana. This practice is very popular in different parts of the country, especially in northern India. The celebrations of this festival are very distinguished in Allahabad, in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
In Andhra Pradesh, Mauni Amavasya is celebrated as ‘Chollangi Amavasya’ and it is also known as ‘Darsh Amavasya’ in other regions of India. Mauni Amavasya is, therefore, a day to attain knowledge, happiness and wealth.
Rituals during Mauni Amavasya:
The devotees get up early on the day of Mauni Amavasya to take a holy dip in the Ganges at sunrise. If a person cannot take any pilgrimage on this day, he/she must add little Ganga ‘Jal’ to his/ her own bathing water. It is a belief that while taking a bath, one must remain quiet. On this day devotees also worship Lord Brahma and recite the ‘Gayatri mantra’.
After finishing the bathing ritual, devotees then sit for a proper meditation routine. Meditation is a practice that helps to concentrate and attain inner peace. On the day of Mauni Amavasya, any wrong actions must be avoided.
Some of the devotees observe complete ‘Mauna’ or silence on the day of Mauni Amavasya. They abstain from speaking all day long and only meditate to attain the state of oneness with self. This practice is also popularly known as ‘Mauna Vrat’. If a person cannot keep, Mauna vrat, for the complete day, he/she must maintain silence until finishing the puja rituals.
On the day of Mauni Amavasya, thousand of Hindu devotees along with the ‘kalpavasis’ take a holy dip in ‘Sangam’ at Prayag and spend the rest of the day in meditation.
Mauni Amavasya 2020: Date and Time
In 2020, Mauni Amavasya falls on Friday, January 24. The muhurat of Mauni Amavasya starts at 2:17 am on January 24, and ends on 3:11 am on January 25.
Mauni Amavasya 2020: Significance
After taking a holy dip in the Ganga, devotees offer prayers to the sun god on Mauni Amavasya. It is said that donating to poor and needy is also important on the day. The donation should be done while keeping quiet and one should not boast about it later.
