Mauni Amavasya 2027

Puja Vidhi

Who Should Do This Vrat?

• Devotees Seeking Purity: Men and women observe silence (Maun) and take a holy dip to cleanse the mind and body and seek spiritual merit (Punya).
• Families Honouring Ancestors: Those who wish to offer water and charity for the peace of their forefathers (Pitru Shanti) also keep this day.
• Seekers of Inner Calm: Anyone who wishes to practise self-control, meditation, and silence may observe this vrat.

When Should This Be Performed?

• Holy Bath: Taken early in the morning in Brahma Muhurta (the pre-dawn period) in the Ganga or another sacred river, or at home with a little Gangajal added to the bathing water.
• Silence (Maun): Kept from waking until the puja and bath are done, and by many devotees for the whole morning or day (families differ on how long).
• Puja and Daan: Done after the bath, in the morning, before midday. Check the sunrise time for your city on this page.
• Breaking the Silence: After the puja, charity, and the first meal of the day.

About the Festival

Mauni Amavasya is a deeply revered North Indian observance in which devotees keep silence, bathe in sacred waters, and give in charity. It takes place on the Amavasya (new moon day) of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Magha.

The Vrat Katha (Story of Devaswami and Gunavati)

Once upon a time, in the city of Kanchipuram, there lived a Brahmin named Devaswami, who had seven sons and a daughter named Gunavati. When it was time for the girl's marriage, an astrologer studied her horoscope and said she was destined to become a widow soon after her wedding.

Troubled, the father sought the advice of a wise sage, who said: "On the island of Sinhala lives a washerwoman named Soma, whose great virtue can undo this fate. Seek her blessings." Devaswami sent his youngest son and Gunavati across the sea. Reaching the island, they stayed near Soma's home, and every morning they quietly cleaned and tidied her courtyard before she woke, so that she did not know who was serving her.

Soma, learning of their kindness, was pleased and agreed to help. Gunavati was married, and soon after, her husband passed away. Soma, moved by pity, gave the merit of all her good deeds to Gunavati, and the young man was brought back to life. But because Soma had given away her merit, her own husband, son, and son-in-law died. Grieving, she went to the bank of a river, worshipped Lord Vishnu beneath a Peepal tree, and walked around it one hundred and eight times, and through her devotion her family was restored.

Since that day, devotees have observed Mauni Amavasya with silence, a holy bath, and charity, remembering Soma's selfless giving.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the morning puja:

• Bathing Items: Clean towels, fresh clothes, and Gangajal for the bath
• Image / Idol: A picture of Lord Vishnu or Lord Shiva, and a Shivling if you have one
• Tilak & Sacred Powder: Chandan (sandalwood paste), Roli, and Akshat (unbroken rice grains)
• Lamps & Incense: A brass or clay Diya with Ghee and cotton wick, and Dhoop
• Tarpan Items: A small vessel of water, black sesame (Til), and Kusha grass
• Daan Items: Grains, Til, warm clothes, blankets, jaggery, and food for the needy

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 and begin your silence (Maun) from the moment you wake.
2. Bathe in a sacred river, or at home with a few drops of Gangajal in the water, and wear clean clothes.
3. Take a small amount of water in your right palm and take a Sankalp (solemn vow) silently in your mind: "O Lord, today I observe Mauni Amavasya with silence and a pure heart. Bless me with peace and forgive my wrongs."

Step 2: Preparing the Puja Space (Morning)

1. Clean the puja space and place the picture of Lord Vishnu or Lord Shiva on a Chowki covered with a clean cloth.
2. Light a Ghee Diya and Dhoop in front of the deity.
3. Keep the water vessel, Til, and Kusha grass ready beside you.

Step 3: Performing the Morning Rituals

1. Applying Tilak: Apply Chandan, Roli, and Akshat to the deity.
2. Offering Flowers: Offer fresh flowers and Tulsi leaves to Lord Vishnu, or water and Bilva leaves to Lord Shiva.
3. Offering Naivedya: Place simple sattvic food such as fruits or sweets before the deity.
4. Surya Arghya: Offer water to the Sun with folded hands, while silently remembering the Lord.

Step 4: Reciting the Vrat Katha

1. Hold a few grains of rice and a few flower petals in your right hand.
2. Sit respectfully in front of the altar and read or listen to the Mauni Amavasya Vrat Katha in silence or in a low voice (you may break the silence only for this purpose, as many families do).
3. After the story, sprinkle the held grains at the feet of the deity.

Step 5: Tarpan and Daan

1. Offer water mixed with black sesame to your ancestors (Pitru Tarpan), remembering them with respect.
2. Give grains, warm clothes, blankets, or food to the needy and to Brahmins.
3. Spend the remaining time in meditation, silent chanting of the Lord's name (Japa), or the reading of scriptures.

Step 6: Seeking Blessings and Breaking the Silence

1. Touch the feet of the elders in your family to seek their blessings (Charan Sparsh).
2. Break your silence by offering a prayer to the Lord and speaking gently to the family.
3. Take the prasad and a simple sattvic meal.