Pithori Amavasya 2027

Puja Vidhi

Who Should Do This Vrat?

• Mothers: Mothers observe this vrat for the health, protection, and long life of their children.
• Women Desiring Children: Women who wish for children also keep this vrat to seek the blessings of the Sixty-Four Yoginis for offspring (Santan Prapti).

When Should This Be Performed?

• Morning Preparation: Bathe early during Brahma Muhurta (the pre-dawn hours) and take the vow. Many women keep a fast through the day.
• Puja Muhurat: The Pithori puja is done in the evening during Pradosh Kaal (the period after sunset). Check the puja muhurat for your city on this page.
• Breaking the Fast: After the Aarti and the offerings, the prasad is shared and the fast is ended.

About the Festival

Pithori Amavasya is a deeply revered observance in which mothers worship Goddess Pithori and the Sixty-Four Yoginis, made of flour dough (pith), for the well-being of their children. It takes place on the Amavasya (new moon day) of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Shravana.

The Vrat Katha (Story of Pithori Amavasya)

Once upon a time, there was a wealthy Brahmin named Shridhara, whose eldest son's wife, Videha, suffered a deep sorrow: each child born to her died soon after birth. Hopeless, she sought refuge in a hermitage, where she learned of a vrat that could end her grief.

The vrat itself, according to the tradition, was first told by Goddess Parvati to Indrani, the wife of Indra, when Indrani asked for the best fast by which a childless woman could be blessed with children. The Goddess explained: "On the Amavasya of this month, make the figures of the Sixty-Four Yoginis from flour, worship them with devotion, and keep a fast with full faith."

Videha followed the advice wholeheartedly. She made the figures of the Yoginis from flour dough, worshipped them with flowers and food made in her own kitchen, and observed the fast with firm faith. Pleased with her devotion, the Yoginis blessed her, and by their grace she was granted children who lived long and healthy lives. Since that day, mothers have observed the Pithori Amavasya vrat to seek protection and long life for their children.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the evening puja:

• Flour Figures: Wheat or rice flour dough (Pith) to shape Pithori Devi and the Sixty-Four Yoginis
• Tilak & Sacred Powder: Roli, Kumkum, Haldi, and Akshat (unbroken rice grains)
• Lamps & Lights: A brass or clay Diya with Ghee and cotton wick, and incense sticks (Dhoop)
• Sacred Water Container: A Kalash filled with fresh water, topped with mango leaves
• Food Offerings (Naivedya): Dishes steamed or cooked from flour, such as Puran Poli or Ukadiche Modak, along with fruits and sweets
• Devotional Accessories: Fresh flowers, betel leaf and nut (Paan-Supari), and sacred thread (Kalava)

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 (preferably red, yellow, or green; avoid wearing black).
2. Take a small amount of water in your right palm and take a Sankalp (solemn vow): "O Divine Mother Pithori, today I observe this vrat for the health, long life, and wellbeing of my children. Grant me the strength to fulfill this vow with pure devotion."
3. Observe the fast through the day, eating only what your family tradition allows.

Step 2: Preparing the Figures and Altar (Late Afternoon)

1. Clean the puja space and spread a clean cloth on a Chowki.
2. Knead the flour into dough and shape the figures of Pithori Devi and the Sixty-Four Yoginis.
3. Place the figures on the Chowki, and set a Kalash filled with water and mango leaves beside them.

Step 3: Performing the Evening Rituals

1. Lighting the Lamp: Light a Ghee Diya and incense in front of the figures.
2. Applying Tilak: Apply Roli, Kumkum, Haldi, and Akshat to the figures and the Kalash.
3. Offering Flowers & Threads: Offer fresh flowers and betel leaf, and tie a piece of Kalava around the Kalash.
4. Offering Naivedya: Place the cooked dishes made of flour before the Goddess.

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 figures and recite or listen to the Pithori Amavasya Vrat Katha with deep focus and devotion.
3. After completing the story, sprinkle the held grains and petals at the feet of the figures.

Step 5: Aarti

1. Perform the Pithori Devi Aarti using the lit Ghee lamp while singing devotional hymns.
2. Pray with folded hands for the longevity and happiness of your children.
3. Bow before the Goddess and ask forgiveness for any mistakes in the puja.

Step 6: Seeking Blessings and Breaking the Fast

1. Touch the feet of the elders in your family to seek their blessings (Charan Sparsh).
2. Distribute the prasad among your family members and children.
3. Break your fast by partaking in the prasad and a simple sattvic meal.