The
Amavasya that falls on the no moon day of Thi masa in the Tamil Nadu state of
India is marked as significant. Reason being that this day, people dedicate the
day in honor of their ancestors, family members, close and dear ones who have
departed to the other world. The day begins with chanting of special type of
prayers for the dead souls to rest in peace. Various types of customs and
rituals are undertaken under the able guidance of special priest who are well
versed with Hindu customs regarding appeasement of departed souls.
The
day is specific for Shraddha since the populistic belief among people here in
Tamil Nadu is that it is during the Thi Amavasya day that the souls of the
departed near and dear ones visit and bless them. The usual norm for conducting
worship for ancestors and departed relatives is on the riverbanks or seashores
of pious and holy waters.
One
such spot is the famous place of Rameshwaram which houses the Sri Ramanatha
Swamy Temple. The presiding deity in this temple is the Shiva Lingam and is
said to have been worshipped by Sri Rama, the Vishnu avatar, for seeking pardon
from sins of waging war with Ravanan in Sri Lanka.
Besides
Rameshwaram, Thi Amavasya is known to be followed at other well-known places in
the state of Tamil Nadu. These include places such as Kanyakumari far down
south, then Dhanushkodi, Devipattanam, and Sethukarai etc.
Importance of Thi Amavasya
Amavasya
is fallen in the sacrosanct Uttarayan period and subsequently is held as all
the more promising for performing different ceremonies committed to the
precursors. Individuals pick this specific event for performing services for
getting their favors.
Execution of customs on Thi Amavasya
Individuals recall their progenitors with appreciation on this day, offer them thithi and do ceremonies like Tarpanam, Tila Homam and Pinda Daanam. It is considered particularly sacrosanct if such Shraddha functions are performed in heavenly places, traveler focuses, ocean shore and on the banks of holy waterways or water bodies. Thus, individuals in vast numbers run to places like Haridwar, Prayag Triveni Sangam (Allahabad), Rameshwaram, Kanyakumari and other surely understood waterway ghats, perform different ceremonies in memory of their pitrus and offer love, looking for their favors. They likewise do different sorts of philanthropies.