Every Amavasya (new moon) day holds special spiritual significance in Hinduism, but when it coincides with a Monday, it is known as Somvati Amavasya. In 2025, this auspicious day falls on Monday, May 26th. This day is considered highly auspicious for the worship of Lord Shiva, sacred bathing, charity, and chanting of mantras. It is believed that the virtuous acts performed on this day appease ancestral debts (Pitru Dosha) and, with Shiva's grace, bring peace, prosperity, and health to one's life.
Somvati Amavasya 2025: Date and Significance
This year, Somvati Amavasya falls on Monday, May 26th, 2025. This date is considered special because when the Amavasya falls on a Monday, it is called Somvati Amavasya. This day is considered very auspicious for the worship of Lord Shiva, bathing in sacred rivers, offering Tarpan (water libation) to ancestors, charity, and chanting of mantras. It is particularly fruitful for devotees of Shiva.
According to religious beliefs, all good deeds performed on Somvati Amavasya—such as bathing, worship, and charity—yield manifold results. This day is also considered highly auspicious for the peace of the souls of ancestors. It is said that performing Tarpan on this day pleases the ancestors, who then bless one with happiness and prosperity. Therefore, devotees observe this day with great devotion and adherence to rituals.
Auspicious Muhurta for Bathing and Charity
Bathing in a sacred river or pilgrimage site and performing charity is considered most auspicious on this day. The following Muhurta (auspicious time) are considered particularly sacred on Somvati Amavasya this year:
- Brahma Muhurta: 4:03 AM to 4:44 AM
- Morning Muhurta: 4:24 AM to 5:25 AM
- Abhijit Muhurta: 11:51 AM to 12:46 PM
How to Worship Lord Shiva
- Wake up early and bathe: Begin this sacred day by waking up early in the morning. Waking up before sunrise is considered best. Use Ganga water or water infused with Tulsi (holy basil) for bathing. This purifies both body and mind. After bathing, wear clean clothes in light colors. White or yellow is considered most auspicious.
- Visit a Shiva temple or perform puja at home: If you have a nearby Shiva temple, visit and perform puja there. If you cannot go to a temple, you can establish a Shiva Lingam in a clean place at home and perform puja there. First purify the place with water and then prepare for the puja.
- Perform Panchamrit Abhishek of the Shiva Lingam: Begin the puja by offering water to the Shiva Lingam. Ganga water is best, but pure water can also be used. Then perform Abhishek (ritual bathing) of the Shiva Lingam with milk, yogurt, ghee (clarified butter), honey, and sugar. This is called 'Panchamrit Abhishek'. Finally, bathe the Shiva Lingam again with pure water.
- Offer things dear to Lord Shiva: Now offer Bel Patra (bilva leaves) to Lord Shiva. Ensure the leaves are clean and not upside down. Also offer Datura, Ak (Calotropis procera), white flowers, Bhasma (sacred ash), and Bhang (cannabis). All these are considered very dear to Shiva.
- Light a lamp and incense sticks: During the puja, light a lamp with ghee from a native cow. Also light incense sticks or dhoop. This creates a sacred and peaceful atmosphere for the puja, and helps focus the mind.
- Chant mantras: Now chant mantras dear to Lord Shiva. Recite the "Om Namah Shivaya" mantra at least 108 times. You can also recite Shiva Chalisa, Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, or Gayatri Mantra. Chanting mantras brings positive energy and peace of mind.
- Offer bhog (food offering): To please Lord Shiva, offer him Kheer (rice pudding), jaggery, or milk-based sweets. Also offer fruits like bananas and apples. After offering the bhog, offer a little water to complete the puja.
- Worship Mata Parvati: Along with Shiva's puja, it is also important to worship Mata Parvati. Offer her sandalwood, flowers, vermillion, and a red chunari (scarf). This ensures happiness and peace in married life and brings the mother's grace.
- Meditate and pray: At the end of the puja, close your eyes and meditate on Lord Shiva for a while. Tell the Lord what's on your mind – express your wishes with faith. Then seek blessings from the Lord and pray for peace and prosperity.
What to Donate on this Day?
Donating on Somvati Amavasya is considered very auspicious. People struggling with Pitru Dosha, lack of money, or recurring problems in life should especially donate on this day. This brings the grace of Lord Shiva and the ancestors.
- Donate white things: On this day, be sure to donate white things like rice, yogurt, mishri (rock sugar), white sesame seeds, kheer, and sugar. White color symbolizes peace and purity. It is associated with Lord Shiva and the moon, bringing peace of mind. Donating these things brings the grace of ancestors and positive energy into life.
- Donating white clothes is very auspicious: Donating white clothes to the needy is considered very meritorious. Ensure the clothes are new and clean; never donate torn or old clothes. Donate these clothes to Brahmins, widows, or needy women. This pleases your ancestors and maintains peace and happiness at home.
- Donate copper utensils and ghee: On this day, a copper pot, bowl, or plate can also be donated. If you donate ghee from a native cow, it is even more auspicious. Ghee brings purity to yagnas (sacrificial rites) and pujas. You can also donate Panchmeva – such as almonds, raisins, cashews, dried apricots, and coconuts.
- Donate food and Dakshina (monetary offering): Donating everyday items like flour, rice, wheat, and lentils to the poor is extremely meritorious. If possible, you can also feed them food you have prepared yourself. Along with this, give a little money, or Dakshina. This makes your donation complete and multiplies its results.
- Donate fruits and sweets: On this day, you can also donate fruits like bananas, apples, dates, and jaggery or sweets. This not only makes the recipient happy but is also pleasing to God. Donating sweets brings sweetness to life and maintains love within the family.
Chant these Mantras
On Somvati Amavasya, chanting mantras leads to successful spiritual practices and attainment of desired results. Be sure to chant the following mantras on this day:
- Om Kul Devataabhyo Namah
- Om Gram Devataabhyo Namah
- Om Graha Devataabhyo Namah
- Om LakshmiPati Devataabhyo Namah
- Om Vighnavinashaka Devataabhyo Namah
- Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya
Also recite these shlokas (verses):
Ayodhya, Mathura, Maya, Kashi, Kanchi, Avantika
Puri Dwaravati jneya: saptaita mokshadayika.
Gange cha Yamune chaiva Godavari Sarasvati,
Narmada Sindhu Kaveri jalesmin sanidhiṃ kuru.
Gayatri Mantra:
Om Bhoorbhuvah Swaha Tatsavitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi
Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat.
Pitru Shanti Mantra:
Om Pitribhyo Namah
Somvati Amavasya is not just a date, but an opportunity—for Shiva devotion, ancestral peace, and accumulation of merit. By systematically performing bathing, puja, charity, and mantra chanting on this day, an individual can alleviate life's obstacles and progress towards spiritual advancement.
