Bheemana Amavasye is Amavasya (New Moon Day) of the month Ashada of Hindu Calendar, also the last day of the month. It is believed to be the day Lord Shiva was overcome by the devotion of Goddess Parvati and accepted her as his wife. It is celebrated as Bhimana Amavasya in Karnataka (and many other states). It is also referred to as Pati Sanjeevini Vrata or also as Jyothi Bhimeshwara Vrata. It is celebrated for the well being of all the males in a family.

The festival is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvathi. Unmarried women pray for the well being of their brothers, father, generally for all male members of the family. Married women observe the vratham for the long life of their husband. Married women observe the vrata for nine consecutive years after marriage and in the ninth year, a pair of lamps is given to their brothers or a Brahmin.

Traditionally, two lamps are made of Red Clay (supposed to be made of Kalikamba) or Thambittu (Wheat Flour) – one symbolizing Lord Shiva and another Goddess Paravati who is considered the Supreme Mother and every other Devis as a form of Parvati. They are first installed on grains (typically Rice) facing east

The Puja starts going by tying a Turmeric Root to the right lamp of the Deity’s Picture (one on the left as we face) that signifies Parvati. The puja installation also has Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon) and Kumbha (Pot).

The lamps are then lit and 9 stranded Gejje Vastra, Gandha (or Sandal) is an essential offering used in this puja. The tambula includes 9 Betel leaves and 9 Betel Nuts (Bettada adike) and a coconut

Gowri dara (also called Rakshe) or Thread smeared with Turmeric paste (9 stranded with 9 knots for Married and 5 stranded with 5 knots for the unmarried) is placed along with Samagri. Granthi puja – for each Strand a puja is performed with an offering, which is subsequently tied by females of the family around their wrists.

Please note that there are variations depending on the region & family practices to the above

After the mandatory Ashotttara Puja of Lord Ganesh (to remove any obstacles), Lord Shiva & Parvathi is worshipped. Uma Maheshwara Ashtottara puja is performed and the Gowri dara is tied around the wrists.

Naivedya includes Karjura (Dates), Cosambari & other usual fruits. Traditional Kadubu filled with coins, staple food grains, & dry fruits is prepared (It is called Bandhara or Treasure Chest) to signify the wealth. Post puja this is placed on either side of the Threshold (Hosilu) and crushed with their elbows by the males of the family to signify abundant flow of material and spiritual wealth into the home.

Wife performs an Arati to her husband for health and long life.

And then is the much awaited part of the festival – the food. Here is what was on offer at home today.

Items: Chitranna (Lemon Rice), Cosambari, Groundnut Chutney Pudi, Midi Uppinakayi (Tender Mango Pickles), Appala (Pappad), Majjige Menasinakayi (Fried Curded Chilly), Hoorna Saaru (Rasam), Kaayi Holige (Obbattu)

The Legend

A Brahmin couple in Saurashtra decided to go on a pilgrimage to Kashi since it was considered a must during one’s life time to pray to Mahadeva there. In those days it was a tough journey with associated risks and hence they did not want to take their young daughter, Susheela. Those were the days when no one was even sure that they would return back from Kashi safely. They leave their daughter under the care of their married son and embark on their pilgrimage.

Their son also was not so well off and parents left their daughter Susheela under his care and asked him to get her married and settled well just in case they don’t return from the Pilgrimage to Kashi. Years roll by and there were no signs of parents returning. Son and his wife did not want to spend any money to get his sister married but he was greedy to possess the property. In those days it was a moral obligation and societal norm that the son who inherits the property would also shoulder the responsibility of getting his sisters married off.

During the same period, Saurashtra was ruled by an able and righteous king Vajrabahu. He had a son Prince Jayasheela who suddenly dies of strange illness. King was worried as to who will now fulfill the ritualistic requirements of tilodaka of his forefathers (The importance of the ritual at the end of the article – applicable for any occasion). The Palace astrologer discovers a remedy – marry the dead prince off before cremation, to keep Pitrus satisfied.

The king makes a proclamation across his Kingdom that whoever is ready to marry his prince, would be given rewards in terms of riches – gold coins, a palatial home, agricultural land, enough food grains for 3 generations.

Greedy son and his wife with no concern for his sister convinces her to agree to it since she will anyway be a Princess, even if widowed right from the time of marriage. It would also help the family financially and improve their status in the society. Though Susheela resisted and pleaded with her brother, he forced her to agree and took her to the King. Marriage was solemnised between the hapless Susheela with the dead Prince Jayasheela. Girl’s brother collects all reward given by the King and leaves the palace.

Immediately thereafter the King, the newly wed Susheela, the army and all the courtiers, takes the Prince’s body for cremation to banks of River Bhagirathi. Susheela decked in all bridal glory with Haridra-Kumkuma (Turmeric and Vermillion) was asked to light the Funeral pyre. Praying to Maa Parvati and Bhagwan Parameshwara, she lights the fire (called Agni-sparsha). Providentially, it begins to rain heavily as soon as the pyre is lit. It rains incessantly and slowly it gets dark with no signs of rains subsiding. Vajrabahu then tells Susheela to come to palace since is the princess now. But Susheela refuses saying her place is with her husband and stays back with the body.

The king and rest of those who accompanied them leave the bride all to herself and return to the palace. Susheela grieving looking at the husband’s body and with fearing setting in, she begins to pray to Shiva-Parvati. She curses her fate and thinks this would not have happened had her parents been around. She beseeches, “O Parameshwara! you have blessed Markandeya with immortality, restored life to Agni Manmatha, blessed with long life to Shwetavahana and Brighu Putra Chyavana Rishi. What sin have I committed to undergo this terrible situation? Please show some compassion towards me”

Shiva, the one who is always on the side of Devotee appears before her along with Paravati. Susheela then seeks “Sowbhagya/Sumangali and Wealth”

Shiva then tells her, “We would let you know a vrata that you have to observe diligently and with utmost sincereity. On the Amavasya Tithi (New Moon day) of Ashada month, have a ritualistic bath and clean the Puja sthala (place) and install Uma-Maheshwara on a Peetha (pedestal). On a heap of rice, install two Ghee Lamps to worship me. On such a lamp, I shall remain as Ashtamurti (8 attributes of Bhagwan Shiva – Sharva, Bhava, Rudra, Ugra, Bhima, Pashuupati, Ishaana and Mahaadeva)”

Ashtamurti as in Shiva Purana
Sharva(Earth) that holds the entire universe of the mobile and immobile beings; Bhava(Water) that is lifeline of the entire world; Rudra(Fire) is those attibutes that is symbolic of Perfection, source of fire that destroys all imperfections; Ugra(Air) is that form holding the outer and inner universe and throbs by itself; Bhima(Ether) form that pervades everything and affords space to all & decomposition of which results into group of elements; Pashupati(Soul) which is the support of individual souls, and abiding therein splits the bondage that encircles them; Ishana(Sun) is the form that brightens the entire universe in the form of the sun & moves about in the heaven; Mahadeva(Moon) is form where nectarlike rays that strengthens and fattens the universe to satiety.

Shiva continues, “I also exist in the lamp in unbiased purest form. Alongside you should have another lamp to which a Turmeric Stick is attached to represent my consort, Shakti or Parvati. My favourite moon exist as part of ashtamurtis, the illuminous me is also known as Bhimeshwara. Assuming the Lamp as Myself, worship with utmost sincerity for 9 years. You have to also offer Kadubu (rice cake). Worship me with Sandalwood and flowers, and do charity for Brahmins. After 9 years there is no doubt that your husband will be back to life and you will become Sowbhagyavati “

Susheela, however had to make do with what was available around. Instead of Kadubu (rice cake) she makes cake out of mud, makes lamp out of clay, and for tambula uses Banyan leaf as Betel leaf and the Banyan fruit as Betel nut. She uses the grass as flowers for worship and sincerely begins her vrata (vows).

While she was in the process of worship, an young couple comes there and were curious to know what she was doing. She then explains her situation and misfortune that happened in her life. Since she is alone, there is no one to break the mud cake (kadubu). The man offers to break the same for her and as he breaks blesses her saying, “Dheegha Sumangali Bhava – May you be a happily married woman for a long time – meaning let your husband be alive for your entire lifetime).

With a painful and sad face she smirks and asks how is it possible when my husband is lying dead on the pyre here. The young couple pointing towards the dead husband tells her that he is in deep sleep and to wake him up. When she looks at the prince, she is shocked to see that he was slowly opening his eyes as if he was waking up from deep sleep. She could not believe her eyes and then she realised who the young couple were. When she turns around they had vanished by then.

Her puja bore fruits and Prince was back to life again. She offers her gratitude and respects to Uma and Maheshwara mentally. She also tells everyting that happened to her husband. On knowing what happened Vajrabahu was elated and he rushes to banks of Bhagirathi to see his prince alive and embaces the couple heartily. He also expresses his gratefulness to Uma Maheshwara. He also ensures that this glory and power of observing the vrata on Amavasya of Ashada, known as Jyotirbhimeshwara Vrata or Bheemana Amavasye.

On this day, married and unmarried women worship Uma and Maheshwara for happiness, propserity and health of the menfolk of the family. Those married also pray for stronger marital bond like that of Parvati and Shiva

Another tradition is the make Kadubu or Tambittu (picture below) – a sweet made out of rice, peanuts and chickpea flour with a coin or jewels hidden inside. In the evening, at the end of the vrata, they break the same and take out the coin/jewel. This process is called breaking of Bhandara (treasure chest)

May Lord Shiva’s blessings be showered in abundance on everyone. It is also launches month long Shravan maasa Rudra Pujas & Satsangs by the Art of Living Pundits (founded by His Holiness Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar) in various locations.

My friend Sindhu (@agnyaa on Twitter) has also blogged on Bhimana Amavasya

||Mrityunjaya Rudraya Neelakanthaya Sambhave
Amriteshaya Sarvaya Mahadevaya Te Namaha||

Significance of Tilodaka or Tarpana
“Vasurudraditya swaroopanam asmat Pitru Pitamaha Prappitamaha aavahayami”

Forefathers are believed to live in the Pithru loka for some time after their death until they are reborn, attain Deva loka or Mukti. Pitru loka is inhabited by 3 generations of forefathers – Vasu(father), Rudra (Grandfather) and Aditya(Great Grand Father). Pitru loka is on the other side of th moon, the portion which gets exposed to the sun only on Amavasya (New Moon day), which is also the meal time for Pitrus. All the offering (their only source of nourishment) by way of Tarpana by the progeny is meant to feed the Pitrus. If they are displeased, their curse would ensure that there won’t be any further male progeny.