Things Not To Do On Amavasya Day

On Amavasya, the focus is inward. It’s not a day for material or celebratory activity. Here are things traditionally avoided:

❌ Starting New Projects or Business Ventures

Avoid beginning new tasks, signing contracts, or initiating major work. It is believed that new moon days lack the energetic support for growth and expansion.

❌ Weddings, Housewarming, or Naming Ceremonies

Since Amavasya is associated with low energy and ancestral remembrance, celebratory rituals are considered inauspicious.

❌ Long-Distance Travel

Traditionally, travel is discouraged on this day due to the unstable lunar energy. Many believe it can lead to obstacles or delays.

❌ Cutting Hair or Nails

This is tied to purity. Cutting hair or nails on Amavasya is said to interfere with spiritual focus and ancestral rituals.

❌ Consuming Non-Vegetarian Food or Alcohol

These foods are considered tamasic (heavy and dulling to the senses). A sattvic (pure and light) diet is recommended instead.

❌ Negative Thoughts, Arguments, or Anger

Emotional stability is key. The moon governs the mind, and on Amavasya, mental restlessness can peak. Avoid heated conversations or emotional turmoil.

❌ Sleeping During Sunset

Evening hours are ideal for lighting lamps and connecting with ancestral energies. Sleeping during this time is believed to disrupt the spiritual benefits of the day.

❌ Visiting Cemeteries or Isolated Places

Many believe the veil between the physical and spiritual realms is thinner on Amavasya. It’s best to avoid spiritually dense or eerie places.

Things to Do on Amavasya Day

Now that you know what to avoid, here’s how to positively align with Amavasya’s spiritual energy:

✅ Offer Pitru Tarpan (Ancestral Prayers)

Amavasya is the most powerful time to honour your ancestors. Offer water mixed with black sesame seeds and pray for their peace.

✅ Light a Diya in the Evening

Lighting a lamp at home or under a Peepal tree symbolises the dispelling of darkness, both physical and spiritual.

✅ Donate to the Needy

Acts of charity on Amavasya are considered highly meritorious. Offer food, clothes, or money to the poor or animals.

✅ Meditate and Practise Silence

Spiritual silence (maun) enhances inner clarity. If possible, avoid unnecessary speech or distractions.

✅ Chant Mantras and Read Scriptures

Reciting “Om Namah Shivaya” or the “Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra” is believed to bring peace and protection.

✅ Eat Light, Sattvic Food or Fast

Keep your diet pure. If you can, observe a fast (details below). Avoid onion, garlic, and heavy meals.

✅ Take a Holy Bath Early Morning

Bathing in sacred rivers or with a few drops of Ganga water purifies both body and mind.

Is Amavasya Considered a Good Day?

From a spiritual standpoint—yes. While it’s not ideal for material beginnings, Amavasya is excellent for:

Connecting with your ancestors
Performing spiritual practices
Releasing negative patterns
Resetting your energy

In fact, special Amavasya days like Mahalaya Amavasya or Mauni Amavasya are deeply revered and draw millions of devotees for ritual bathing, fasting, and ancestral prayers.

Why Are There Restrictions on Amavasya Day?

Amavasya, the new moon, signifies a time of transition—a moment when lunar light disappears from the sky. In Vedic tradition, the moon is said to govern the mind. Its absence can influence our emotional state, leading to increased mental restlessness, fatigue, or even spiritual vulnerability.

Ancient seers were deeply attuned to these cosmic shifts. They recognised that Amavasya carries low lunar energy, making it a day best suited for introspection, not outward action. Rather than fear, the restrictions observed are a form of energetic hygiene, encouraging silence, simplicity, and stillness.

Moreover, Amavasya is believed to be the time when ancestral energies are closest to Earth. This is why it’s dedicated to Pitru Tarpan—a ritual of remembrance and gratitude for our forebears. Avoiding worldly distractions ensures a clearer space for these offerings, helping us honour our lineage with full presence and respect.

Different Types of Amavasya and Their Importance

While every Amavasya holds spiritual value, a few stand out due to their unique energy and significance. Here are some of the most widely observed types:

🌑 Mauni Amavasya

Falls in the Magha month (January–February)
Devotees observe maun vrat (vow of silence) to cultivate inner strength and clarity
Ritual bathing in sacred rivers, especially the Ganga, is considered spiritually purifying
Associated with deep cleansing of speech, thought, and karma

🌑 Shani Amavasya

Occurs when Amavasya aligns with Saturday (Shanivar)
Dedicated to Shani Dev, the deity of discipline, justice, and karmic lessons
Devotees perform remedies to reduce Shani dosha (Saturn afflictions) in their horoscope
Mustard oil lamps, black sesame donations, and temple visits are key rituals

🌑 Mahalaya Amavasya

Observed just before Navratri, during the Pitru Paksha period
One of the most sacred days for performing Tarpan for all departed souls, not just immediate ancestors
It is believed that the blessings received from these offerings liberate both the giver and the receiver

Each type of Amavasya offers a chance to work on different karmic layers—whether for personal evolution, ancestral healing, or planetary relief.

Scientific Perspective on Amavasya Beliefs

You don’t have to be religious to appreciate the logic behind Amavasya rituals. Science, too, acknowledges the influence of lunar cycles:

The new moon significantly impacts ocean tides, and since our bodies are 70% water, it’s plausible that it affects us too
Studies have shown that moon phases can influence sleep patterns, mood swings, and emotional fluctuations
Ancient agrarian societies aligned their crop cycles, rituals, and spiritual practices with the moon, demonstrating an advanced understanding of nature’s subtle rhythms

In essence, many Amavasya beliefs mirror natural laws and biological responses. These aren’t outdated superstitions, but time-tested practices based on observation and reverence for universal cycles.

Rituals Commonly Performed in Different Regions

Despite regional differences in India, the essence of Amavasya remains the same—honouring ancestors, quieting the mind, and seeking spiritual cleansing.

🔸 In South India

People visit powerful temples like Rameswaram, Tirunelveli, or Kashi
They light lamps under sacred trees like Peepal or Tulsi as symbolic acts of guidance for the soul
Rice balls (pindam) and water are offered in remembrance of ancestors

🔸 In North India

Devotees take ritual dips in rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, or Saryu
Tarpan is performed using black sesame, kush grass, and water
Charity (daan) is done, often in the form of food or essentials offered to Brahmins or the needy

Each tradition offers a pathway to connect with the divine, dissolve past karmas, and realign with one’s inner compass.

Can We Fast on Amavasya? Rules to Follow

Yes, fasting on Amavasya is not only allowed—it’s encouraged, especially for those seeking spiritual clarity or release from karmic burdens.

✦ Why Fast on Amavasya?

To cleanse the body and mind
To receive ancestral blessings
To reduce the effects of planetary doshas like Pitru dosha or Shani dosha
To improve focus, reduce cravings, and cultivate spiritual strength

✦ Types of Amavasya Fasting

Nirjala Vrat: No food or water (recommended only for seasoned practitioners)
Phalahar Vrat: Consumption of fruits, milk, coconut water, and herbal drinks
Ek Bhukta Vrat: One light, sattvic meal during the day—without onion, garlic, grains, or tamasic foods

✦ Fasting Guidelines

Begin the day with a bath and prayer
Spend time chanting mantras like “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya” or “Om Namah Shivaya”
Light a diya at sunset before breaking your fast
Reflect, journal, or read spiritual texts instead of engaging in daily distractions

Fasting isn’t about punishment—it’s about discipline, alignment, and renewal.

Final Thoughts

Amavasya is not about fear or superstition—it’s about returning to the core of who you are. It offers you a monthly opportunity to pause, purify, and realign with the rhythms of nature and the wisdom of your ancestors.

In a world that urges constant motion, Amavasya whispers:

“Be still. Go inward. Honour what came before you, and prepare for what’s next.”

By avoiding worldly distractions and embracing quiet spiritual practices, you give yourself space to breathe, not just physically, but emotionally and karmically.

🌑 Let Amavasya be your reset.
🌿 Not a void—but a beginning.
🕯 Not darkness—but depth.

FAQs

What should be avoided on Amavasya?

You should avoid starting new ventures, conducting weddings or housewarming ceremonies, cutting your hair or nails, consuming non-vegetarian food or alcohol, and engaging in arguments or negative thoughts. These restrictions help maintain spiritual balance and focus on inner cleansing.

What are the bad effects of Amavasya?

Amavasya is associated with low lunar energy, which can lead to emotional instability, mental restlessness, fatigue, or lack of clarity. While not inherently negative, it’s seen as a sensitive time when spiritual caution is advised, especially for those who are energetically vulnerable.

Can we mop the house on Amavasya?

Yes, you can mop or clean your house on Amavasya. In fact, it is considered good to keep your surroundings clean on this day, especially before performing rituals, lighting diyas, or offering prayers to ancestors.

Why should we not wash hair on Amavasya?

Traditionally, washing hair on Amavasya is discouraged, especially before performing rituals, as it’s believed to disturb your body’s energy alignment. The idea is to maintain spiritual purity and focus on prayers rather than grooming activities.

Which god should we worship on Amavasya?

On Amavasya, it is common to worship Lord Shiva, Shani Dev, and your ancestral deities. Lighting a diya and offering prayers to ancestors (Pitru Tarpan) is highly recommended. Some also perform remedies related to planetary doshas like Pitru dosha or Shani dosha.

Can we take a bath during Amavasya?

Yes, bathing during Amavasya—especially early in the morning—is encouraged. Taking a holy dip or a clean bath at home helps purify the body and mind. It is often a preparatory step before offering prayers or performing Tarpan rituals.

Why is Amavasya considered so powerful?

Amavasya is powerful because it marks the end of one lunar cycle and the beginning of another. It’s seen as a time for ancestral connection, karmic release, spiritual reflection, and inner cleansing. The absence of moonlight symbolises a deeper journey into the self.

Can I oil my hair on Amavasya?

While there’s no universal rule against oiling hair on Amavasya, some traditions discourage it due to beliefs around energy sensitivity and bodily purification. If you’re observing rituals or fasting, it’s better to keep grooming minimal and focus on spiritual practices.

What happens to the human body on Amavasya?

On Amavasya, due to low lunar influence, many people experience emotional fluctuations, mental fog, or fatigue. The absence of moonlight can affect the mind, which is why the day is best used for rest, meditation, fasting, and grounding spiritual activities.