Aadi Amavasai: Worship and Benefits - The Auspicious Day for Thithi & Tharpanam, and for Progeny!
Chennai: Aadi Amavasai is a day of paramount importance that every individual should understand and observe in their lifetime. This auspicious day, where we offer Tharpanam to our ancestors and receive their full blessings, holds significant power, according to Dr. Seetha Suresh, a renowned lifestyle astrologer. She states that this day can clear many karmic debts and specifically bestow the blessing of progeny. Let's delve into the significance of Aadi Amavasai, the differences between Thithi and Tharpanam, the importance of the year 2025, and the specific worship methods.
Thithi vs. Tharpanam – The Fundamental Difference: In her interview, astrologer Seetha Suresh clearly explained the subtle difference between 'Thithi' and 'Tharpanam'.
Thithi: This ritual is observed annually on the specific death anniversary (Tithi) of a departed parent (father or mother). It is performed for known ancestors (like father or grandfather).
Tharpanam: This is a broader ritual. It is performed for all known and unknown ancestors, including those from whom one's lineage might be traced. It is typically observed on Amavasai (new moon) days, especially on Aadi Amavasai, Thai Amavasai, and Mahalaya Amavasai.
Dr. Seetha Suresh emphasized that Aadi Amavasai is a crucial period when ancestors are believed to descend from the celestial world to bless their descendants on Earth, making it extremely important to perform Tharpanam on this day.
Aadi Amavasai 2025 – Date, Time, and Significance: This year, Aadi Amavasai falls on Thursday, July 24, 2025.
Amavasai Tithi begins: July 24, 2025, at 3:05 AM.
Amavasai Tithi ends: July 25, 2025, at 1:38 AM.
During this period, performing Tharpanam after taking a holy dip in rivers, lakes, or sacred water bodies (like Rameswaram, Kasi, Ganga, Yamuna) and offering Surya Namaskaram to all known and unknown ancestors will yield immense benefits, according to Seetha Suresh.
Immense Benefits of Aadi Amavasai Worship: Dr. Seetha Suresh strongly underlined that ancestral blessings are crucial for a person's growth, especially for progeny. Those who consistently observe Thithi and Tharpanam will experience:
No Lack of Progeny: Couples facing issues with childbirth can find relief by worshipping ancestors, rather than solely relying on fertility centers that are common today.
Clearance of Karmic Debts: Ancestral sins (Sanchita Karma), especially from paternal (Pitru Karma) and maternal (Matru Karma) lines, are resolved, leading to an increase in good fortune.
Growth of Wisdom: The clearing of karma is believed to lead to enhanced wisdom and knowledge.
Progress in Life: Prosperity will prevail in the family, supporting overall growth and advancement.
Worship Methods for Men and Women:
Kuladeivam Worship: On Amavasai day, it is highly important to worship your family deity (Kuladeivam) by lighting a clay lamp (man agal vilakku) filled with Iluppai oil and a red thread wick (sigappu nadathiri).
Offering Food to Crows: Feeding crows is considered equivalent to offering food to ancestors.
For Men: Men can perform Tharpanam by offering sesame seeds and water at home, or by visiting riverbanks/lakefronts. If both parents are alive, Thithi/Tharpanam should not be performed. If only the father is deceased, Tharpanam can be performed for both the father and other ancestors.
For Women:
Sumangali (married woman with a living husband): They should not perform Tharpanam (offering Pindam with sesame and water). Instead, they can observe a fast, make offerings (padayal) at home, and light an Iluppai oil lamp with a red thread wick for their deceased parents' photos or names.
Widows: They can perform Tharpanam (offering sesame and water) at riverbanks or lakefronts.
Important Note: If there are no male heirs, female descendants should not perform Tharpanam (offering sesame and water). Instead, lighting a lamp and making offerings is considered appropriate and beneficial.
Aadi Amavasai on a Thursday - Special for Progeny: The fact that Aadi Amavasai falls on a Thursday this year is particularly significant. Since Thursday is associated with Guru (Jupiter), the planet of progeny, it brings immense blessings for childless couples. Dr. Seetha Suresh asserts that if couples facing challenges in childbirth observe the fast correctly, perform Tharpanam, and pray sincerely for an heir on this Aadi Amavasai, they will surely be blessed with a child by the next Aadi Amavasai.
Concluding her interview, Dr. Seetha Suresh wished that everyone, by observing the Aadi Amavasai fast and performing Tharpanam, would receive their ancestors' blessings and live a prosperous life, blessed with progeny.