It is said that, while at the darkest times of the year, the smallest light shines the brightest. That night is called Kartik Amavasya.
Kartik Amavasya is the new moon night, which often falls in October or November, the spiritually charged no-moon night of the year. It’s not like the other nights because it comes with
- Deeper self-reflection
- Ancestor-healing as ancestors are honored this night, performing the ritual known as Pitru Tarpan.
- It’s the night when Sadhana prayers are offered in silence.
Let’s talk about this divine night in detail and why it is connected to the Diwali festival:
About Kartik Amavasya
Kartik Amavasya is simply the night of sacred silence before the light enters on earth in the form of Diwali. It’s also the divine time when we can embark on our spiritual journey towards self-transformation and divine connection. Many people wake up this day before the sunrise and take a holy bath in the river Ganges or simply by mixing the bathing water with Ganga Jal.
If you don’t know, then we should tell you that the most illuminated night of the year, which is the night of Diwali, is celebrated on Kartik Amavasya. It’s because on that day, light shines more brightly in the sky; in addition, it also has some mythological reasons behind it.
Connection Of Kartik Amavasya With Diwali Festival
A. Mythological Connection
a. The Return Of Lord Rama
It’s the day when Lord Ram returned to Ayodhya with Sita and Lakshman after defeating the demon king Ravana, after 14 years of exile.
The Lord Rama's return happened on Kartik Amavasya, and people lit lamps on this night to welcome the Lord home. The time was considered sacred because it was during that time that darkness turned into light.
b. Worship of Goddess Lakshmi
Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped on Diwali night to invite auspiciousness into the home. It’s said that during the churning of the ocean, Goddess Lakshmi also emerged, and it was Kartik Amavasya that night.
c. The Victory Over Naraksura
It’s also said that on Kartik Amavasya, Lord Krishna defeated the demon Naraksura, which symbolized the victory of light over darkness.
B. Astrological Significance
Apart from just the mythological connection, the astrological connection is also there between Diwali and Kartik Amavasya. Let’s see what it is.
- On Kartik Amavasya, both the sun and moon are in the same zodiac sign, and there is no moonlight.
- Kartik Amavasya and Diwali are the best times for introspection, performing rituals, and embarking on something new, like a business or a relationship.
- Diwali diyas restore the cosmic balance on Kartik Amavasya night, when the sky is dark.
Spiritual Practices & Rituals Performed On Kartik Amavasya
1. Kartik Snan
People wake up before sunrise and take a holy dip in the bathing water mixed with Ganga Jal. It’s believed that taking this kind of holy bath helps cleanse lifetimes of Karmic blockages.
2. Diya Lighting
Oil lamps and diyas are illuminated in homes, temples, and courtyards. These lamps do not dispel the darkness inside out by inviting the sacred energy into the home.
3. Pitru Tarpan
Kartik Amavasya is considered such a divine night when we can please our ancestors by performing ancestral rites. It is done by lighting the lamps and offering the ceremonial food to the ancestors.
4. Lakshmi Puja
Lakshmi puja is done on the night of kartik Amavasya. The homes are made pure by deep cleaning and are decorated with rangolis, flowers and oil lamps to welcome and seek blessings from Maa Lakshmi. Kamal Gatta Mala could be worn to invoke the presence of Maa Lakshmi and chant Maa Lakshmi mantras.
5. Deep Daan
Deep Daan means, the lamps are offered in temples, riverbanks as a sacred offering to deities and ancestors. The places like Varanasi and other spiritual centers, Deep Daan is done by releasing thousands of lamps on the Ganga river during the Ganga Mahotsav.
Final Thoughts
So, we can say that Diwali puts the essence in Kartik Amavasya. Just like light has no meaning without darkness, similarly diwali also has no meaning without Kartik Amavasya.
So, this diwali, take the vow of self-transformation and start the darkest night of year with positive vibes which would eventually bring great abundance and hope.
Stay blessed and Have an illuminating Diwali!
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