What is the religious significance of Somvati Amavasya? Why do married women keep fast on this day? Why is Peepal tree worshiped on Somvati Amavasya? What is the significance of 108 circumambulation of the Peepal tree? When and how did the tradition of 108 rounds start? What is ‘Bhanwari Dena’ on Somvati Amavasya?
Story of Somvati Amavasya: Somvati Amavasya is on 15th June. It is considered to have special religious importance in Hindu religion. When Amavasya falls on a Monday, it is called Somvati Amavasya. On this day, married women observe a fast and worship the Peepal tree to pray for the long life, good health and unbroken good fortune of their husbands. It is believed that circumambulating the Peepal tree 108 times on this day brings happiness and prosperity in married life and maintains strength in the relationship between husband and wife. In many areas this parikrama is also called ‘Bhanwari Dena’.
Why are 108 circumambulation of Peepal tree done?
On the day of Somvati Amavasya, married women take 108 rounds around the Peepal tree. According to religious beliefs, doing this increases the age of the husband and removes the troubles coming to the family. During Parikrama, women also wrap raw cotton or Kalawa around the Peepal tree. She also receives blessings of Lord Vishnu and Peepal Dev by offering water, raw milk, flowers and other worship materials.
Story of gold washerman and belief of 108 parikrama
According to legend, in ancient times there was a moneylender who had seven sons and one daughter. He had married all his sons, but there were constant obstacles in the marriage of his daughter. A sage used to come to the moneylender’s house to collect alms. He always blessed the moneylender’s daughters-in-law with “Saubhagyavati Bhava”, but did not give any blessing to his daughter. One day the moneylender’s wife asked the reason for this. Then the sage told that his daughter was destined to get married immediately after marriage. Hearing this, the moneylender and his wife became worried and asked for a solution. The sage told that across the seven seas there lives a pious washerwoman named ‘Sona’. If his daughter goes and touches his feet and receives his blessings, her misfortune can go away.
Vulture’s children were protected and blessed.
The moneylender’s daughter set out with her sister-in-law to meet the gold washerman. On the way he saw a huge Peepal tree, in which there were baby vultures in a nest. They saw a snake moving towards the vulture babies. The moneylender’s daughter showed courage and killed the snake and saved the lives of the vulture’s children. When the mother of the vultures reached there and learned the entire incident, she became happy. He blessed the moneylender’s daughter and took her across the sea to the gold washerman’s house.
Fate changed due to the virtue of Somvati Amavasya
After reaching the Sona washerman’s house, the moneylender’s daughter helped him in all the household chores. At first the washerwoman was surprised, but when she came to know the whole story she became very happy. Coincidentally that day was Somvati Amavasya. Sona the washerman worshiped the Peepal tree with full rituals and circumambulated it 108 times. After this he dedicated the virtue of his fasting and worship to the moneylender’s daughter. It is believed that due to its influence, the problem of widowhood is eliminated from the girl’s life and her married life becomes happy. Since then, the tradition of doing 108 parikrama on Somvati Amavasya is considered popular.
Some important rules of parikrama
1- Listening to the story: After completing the parikrama, the story of the gold washerman is definitely heard with flowers in hand.
2- Offering Ardha: The rounds are started by offering water, raw milk and black sesame seeds to the Peepal tree.
3- Raksha Sutra: While doing Parikrama, thread or Kalawa is wrapped around the Peepal tree trunk.
It is believed that the Trinity resides in the Peepal tree.
Peepal tree is considered very sacred in Hindu religion. According to religious beliefs, Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh i.e. the Trinity reside in Peepal. For this reason, worship of Peepal is considered especially fruitful. Devotees believe that circling the Peepal tree and worshiping it provides positive energy, mental peace and maintains happiness and prosperity in the family.
Spiritual and religious significance of number 108
In Hinduism, Yoga and Astrology, the number 108 is considered extremely auspicious and sacred. This number is considered a symbol of perfection, spirituality and dedication to God. According to religious beliefs, 1 means God or ultimate truth, 0 means emptiness and 8 means infinity. Therefore doing 108 parikrama is considered a symbol of complete devotion and dedication.
How is Peepal Puja performed on Somvati Amavasya?
On the day of Somvati Amavasya, women take a bath in the morning and take a vow to fast. After this, they go near the Peepal tree and offer water, raw milk, flowers and puja materials. During the puja, yarn or Kalava is wrapped around the Peepal tree trunk and 108 parikrama are performed. Women seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu and Peepal Dev, wishing for the long life of their husbands, family happiness, prosperity and unbroken good fortune.