Bheemana Amavasya Vrata is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati and is observed by women in Karnataka. It takes place on the Amavasya or non moon day in the month of Ashada. Also referred as Jyoti Bheemeshwara Vratha, the ritual is observed for the well being of the male members in the family.
How to observe Bheemana Amavasya?
Requirements
- A pair of mud lamps representing Shiva and Parvati or picture of Shiva and Parvati or Silver lamps.
- Dough balls or Kadubus with coins hidden in them (Bhandara).
- Thembittu lamps or traditional lamps
- Turmeric roots
- Yellow thread
- Sacred thread - has 9 knots, dipped in arishina and tied to a flower (9 ಗಂಟಿನ ಗೌರಿ ದಾರ)
- Cotton
- Local flowers
- Betel leaves and Betel nuts
- bananas
- Unbroken coconut with water in it
- Fruits
All things needed for the Puja are arranged. There are no strict rules you can always substitute things.
House is cleaned and decorated, especially the Puja area.
Fried things are not prepared on the day.
Preparation for the Puja
Kadubus or dough balls with coins stuffed inside are prepared. Some people hide coins inside idili or kozhakattai. The main idea is to have the ‘bhandara’ hidden with coins.
Make or buy a pair of lamps – it represents Shiva and Parvati and it is worshipped on the day. (Instead of kamba lamps people also use idol or image of Goddess Parvati and Shiva or a pair of silver lamp or a single lamp).
The lamps are cleaned and decorated – with sandalwood, turmeric paste or other similar items.
A yellow thread is used to tie turmeric root and it is tied to one of the lamps. This is Goddess Parvati.
The lamps are placed on rice or grains in a tray and is placed facing East.
A garland is created using cotton and is used to decorate the kamba lamps.
A sacred turmeric thread or yellow thread is placed in front of both the lamps or tied in the center.
Tie a yellow thread in nine places along with a flower. Keep the tied thread, betel leaves, and betel nuts in front of the lamp. It can also be arranged in a pot.
The normal lamps in the puja room are decorated in the normal way.
One pair of kamba lamps and the pooja accessories are used by all the women present. In some cases all participants make there own separate sets.
The Puja
The kamba lamps are worshipped on the day. An archana with turmeric and kumkum is performed. Any shlokas dedicated to Shiva and Parvati is recited.
Gowri Puja performed chanting the ‘Sri Gowri’ chant. You can also light the traditional lamps.
Nivedya is offered and it includes coconut, betel leaves, betel nuts, fruits, bananas. An arati using Karpura is performed while offering the Naivedya.
The sacred thread is tied on the right hand wrist.
Breaking of Bhandara or Kadubus
A half-dozen or a couple of coin-stuffed kadubu is placed on a platter and male members in the family are invited. Small kids are asked to smash the kadubu. The kids keep the coin and take the blessings. Elder male members bless the females in the house.
Betel leaves, sweets, fruits are distributed among female friends and relatives.
The Next Day
The lamps are placed under the tulsi plant or dissolved in water and the water is poured under a plant in the garden.
Married women observe Bheema Amavasya for nine years after marriage. If they have the lamps, it is gifted to a newly married woman or women who are performing the Bheemana Amavasya
Read also: The story of Bheemana Amavasya
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