Deep Amavasya (Maharashtra) 2027

Puja Vidhi

Who Should Perform This Puja?

• Families and Householders: Every household in Maharashtra lights and worships its lamps on this day, giving thanks for the light that guards the home through the dark monsoon months.
• Women of the Home: Women usually lead the puja, cleaning the lamps and arranging the altar for the well-being and prosperity of the whole family (Kutumb Kalyan).

When Should This Be Performed?

• Cleaning the Lamps: Done in the morning, after the bath, when all the brass and silver lamps of the home are scrubbed and made ready.
• Deep Puja: The lamps are worshipped in the evening during Pradosh Kaal (the period after sunset), when they are lit together. Check the puja muhurat for your city on this page.
• Naivedya: Offered at the end of the puja, once the lamps are burning (families differ on whether a festive meal is served that day or on the next).

About the Festival

Deep Amavasya is a much-loved Maharashtrian observance in which families clean, light and worship every lamp in the home, just before the holy month of Shravan begins. It takes place on the Amavasya (new moon day) of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Ashadha.

The Katha (The Story Behind Deep Amavasya)

Since ancient times, the lamp (Deep) has been honoured in Hindu homes as a form of Agni Dev, the fire that carries every prayer to the gods. In Maharashtra, the Amavasya (new moon day) that comes just before the month of Shravan is set aside to thank the lamps of the home.

This is the darkest night of the rainy season, and the small flame that lights the evening, cooks the food and holds back the dark is remembered with gratitude. The lamp is seen as the light of knowledge that drives away ignorance and fear.

On this day families take out all their lamps, clean them until they shine, and light them with care before the holy month of Shravan, which is devoted to fasting and worship. The family sits before the lit lamps and recites the familiar prayer: "Shubham karoti kalyanam, arogyam dhana-sampada, shatru-buddhi-vinashaya, deepa-jyoti namostute." It means: "I bow to the light of the lamp, which brings auspiciousness, well-being, health and prosperity, and destroys harmful thoughts."

Those who worship the lamp with sincere devotion are said to be blessed with health, peace and a home filled with light. Since that day, families in Maharashtra have kept Deep Amavasya as the festival of lamps.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the evening puja:

• Lamps: All the brass, silver or clay lamps of the home, including the hanging lamp (Samai) and the standing lamp (Deepmal)
• Cleaning Items: Tamarind, ash or lemon, and clean cloths to polish the lamps
• Lighting Items: Ghee or sesame oil, and cotton wicks
• Tilak & Sacred Powder: Haldi, Kumkum, and Akshat (unbroken rice grains)
• Flowers & Offerings: Fresh flowers, Durva grass, and Tulsi leaves
• Food Offerings (Naivedya): Sweet dishes such as Puran Poli or Kheer, according to the family's custom

Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these step-by-step instructions carefully to perform the ritual correctly:

Step 1: Morning Preparation and Sankalp

1. Wake up early during Brahma Muhurta, bathe, and wear clean, auspicious clothes.
2. Take a small amount of water in your right palm and take a Sankalp (solemn vow): "O Deep Devata, today I worship you with a pure heart. Let your light bring health, peace and prosperity to my family."
3. Keep the day simple and sattvic, and avoid any quarrel in the home.

Step 2: Cleaning and Preparing the Lamps

1. Take out all the lamps of the home and clean them with tamarind, ash or lemon until they shine.
2. Wash them with clean water and wipe them dry.
3. Place them on a clean Chowki (wooden stool) or on a rangoli in the puja room or at the entrance of the home.
4. Fit each lamp with a fresh cotton wick and fill it with Ghee or oil.

Step 3: Performing the Evening Rituals (Pradosh Kaal)

1. Lighting the Lamp: Light the lamps one by one, starting with the main lamp of the home.
2. Applying Tilak: Apply Haldi, Kumkum and Akshat to each lamp.
3. Offering Flowers: Offer fresh flowers, Durva grass and Tulsi leaves to the lamps.
4. Offering Naivedya: Place the sweet dish before the lamps and offer incense.

Step 4: Reciting the Prayer

1. Sit respectfully before the lamps with folded hands.
2. Recite the Deep Prayer, "Shubham karoti kalyanam…", or listen to it with deep focus.
3. Pray for the well-being of every member of the family.

Step 5: Aarti and Blessings of the Lamps

1. Perform the Aarti with a lit lamp, singing devotional hymns.
2. Wave the lamp before the household deities and then before the main door.
3. Let the lamps burn for as long as possible, and keep an eye on them for safety.

Step 6: Seeking Blessings and Sharing Prasad

1. Touch the feet of the elders in your family to seek their blessings (Charan Sparsh).
2. Distribute the Naivedya as prasad among family members and neighbours.
3. Close the day with a simple family meal.