Somvati Amavasya 12th Oct 2015.

Somvati Amavasya 12th Oct 2015. 
Amavasya is the no-moon day in the Hindu lunar calendar. And any Amavasya falling on Monday is Somvati Amavasya. It is the darkest day of the month and many people observe a fast on this day. Somvati Amavasya is considered particularly auspicious to perform Pitra Puja.
The significance of Somvati Amavasya was narrated to the eldest Pandava by Bhishma Pitamaha in the epic Mahabharata. he explained him the merits of this vrata as – whoever observes the Vrata would get long living and noble children.
It is believed that we can bring peace to our ancestors’ souls by taking a holy dip which washes away all our sorrows and helps us progress and prosper. A holy dip in sacred rivers such as Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri is highly auspicious. Performing ritual bath in holy rivers on the day of Somvati Amavasya would provide prosperity, make free from diseases and give peace to souls of ancestors.
The Peepal tree is considered a sacred tree as per Indian traditions and on the auspicious day of Somvati Amavasya, women tie a sacred thread around its trunk 108 times. A parikrama around the tree is also performed 108 times, with offerings of milk, sandal-paste, flowers and vermillion being offered. Devotees sit under the peepal tree and chant mantras to please the Almighty.
The darkness of Somvati Amavasya transcends into a beautiful morning, which gives us hope that all our sorrows will go away. It also signifies that only after absolute darkness, comes a light, which means that absolute despair gives birth to extreme happiness and bliss. ‪Therefore, we should not be afraid of the dark and be ready to face all the troubles that come our way. Lord Shiva is worshipped on this day by all the married women. This day is also very auspicious for performing Pitra Tarpan (offering to the ancestors) as it provides peace to their souls. People suffering from Pitra Dosh should also observe this fast as it frees them from it. Lord shiva & LakshmiNarayana are worshipped on this day.
Sankalpa Mantra to worship Lord Lakshmi Narayana on Somvati Amavasya.
“Santhathi chiranjeevatva parama soubhagya kama asyam somavathya mamaayaam brahma Vishnu shivatma kashwaththa vrukshe yathamilithopacharie lakshmi narayana poojam karsihye”