Thai Amavasya 2018 Date

Thai Amavasya is the no moon day in the Tamil Month of Thai (January – February) and it is regarded as highly auspicious day in Tamil culture. Thai Amavasai is dedicated to dead ancestors, siblings, parents and other relatives though it is believed that your ancestors come upon earth on the day of Amavasya but this one is powerful and magical. Thai Amavasya 2018 date is Tuesday, January 16. Special prayers, rituals and offerings are made on the day for departed souls to rest in peace.

Importance of Thai Amavasai/ Thai Amavasya Significance

People offer 'tarpanam' or respects for departed souls. 'Tarpanam' or 'Tharpanam' Offering of sesame seeds and water on Thai Amavasya make our ancestors happy and descendants are blessed with a happy and prosperous life. This helps in overcoming all obstacles from a person's life. It is believed that doing Tarpanam can remove sins of 7 generation of our ancestors helping us to get forgiveness from them. It not only helps one getting liberation from past curses and sins but also neutralize the unsuitable desires of ancestors.

Hindus bath in holy rivers, do Shradh and Tarpan in Tamil Nadu. It is believed that the dead souls visit their family ones to shower blessings on them. Thousands of people take dip at Rameshwaram and visit the Agnitheertha Kadarkarai (sea coast) in the morning for offering prayers and pujas to the dead ancestors. Special prayers are also offered to the Navagrahas at Devipattinam near Rameshwaram.

A special procession with idols of Lord Shiva, Lord Ram and Sita from the Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple reaches Agnitheertha on the the Thai Amavasya day and special prayers are carried out in Rameshwaram. Prayers and rituals as per Thai Amavasi are observed at various places in Tamil Nadu including Kannyakumari, Dhanushkodi, Muhuntharayarchatram, Sethukarai and Devipattinam.

Thai Amavasya day is observed as Mauni Amavasya in North India. Mauni means "maun" in Hindi meaning "silence". People observe a complete silence on the day. In Orissa, this day is observed as Triveni Amavasya. As per Puranas, the world was first created by Manu. His appearence day is known as 'Thai Amavasya' day or Mouna Amavasya. People must observe complete silence on this day of Mauni Amavasya and pray to Sri Hari Vishnu.

It is believed to be the appearence day of Sri VeeraRaghava Perumal (Sri Ram). Thiruvallur, TamilNadu, has one of the great temple dedicated to Sri VeeraRaghava.

When is Thai Amavasai or Thai Amavasya in 2018?

16th January 2018 (Tuesday)

Thai Amavasya Date

Thai Amavasya Date 2019 - 4th February 2019 (Monday)
Thai Amavasya Date 2020 - 24th January 2020 (Friday)
Thai Amavasya Date 2021 - 11th February 2021 (Thursday)
Thai Amavasya Date 2022 - 31st January 2022 (Monday)
Thai Amavasya Date 2023 - 21st January 2023 (Saturday)
Thai Amavasya Date 2024 - 9th February 2024 (Friday)
Thai Amavasya Date 2025 - 29th January 2025 (Wednesday)

Uttarayan 2018, Uttarayan 2018 Date

The term Uttarayan or Uttarayana is made up of two sanskrit words "uttara" and "ayana", the first meaning north and the later meaning movement. The day of Uttarayan or Makar Sankranti (as it is called in North India) is dedicated to Lord Surya. Entering of Sun into Capricorn sign from Gemini is known as Uttarayan. When Sun transit from Cancer to Sagittarius, it is known as Dakshinayan. It starts the day after winter solstice in January uptill June. Uttarayan begins 14 January. Entering of Sun into Makar rashi or capricorn sign is celebrated as Makar Sankranti in North India. It is celebrated as Uttarayan in the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra. The same period is known as Pongal in Tamil Nadu and Maghi in Haryana and Punjab. The days become longer and nights become shorter starting this day of Uttarayan.

The day of Uttarayan is very auspicious as it is considered the day time of the "Devas" or time of Gods so if you start any new work, new business, yajna, vow, marriages, etc. is considered very auspicious and fruitful. Kite playing festival is celebrated on Uttarayan day in Gujarat. Skies of Ahmedabad, Surat and Vadodara can be seen covered with kites.

Uttarayan Importance and Legends

1.  Lord Krishna once said in Bhagwad Geeta "Uttarayan is the most auspicious period of six months having maximum light. If anybody leaves his body in this period then he will attain moksha.
2.  Bhishma Pitamaha of Mahabharata died on this day of Uttarayan as Bhisma Pitamah had a boon that he will die only when he wishes. So, he choose this day of Uttarayana. It is believed that people who die during Uttarayana merges with the God, thus ending the cycle of rebirth.
3.  Bhagirath brought down river Ganga into Patala on Makara Sankranti/Uttarayana day for moksha or salvation for his ancestors. Thus bathing in river Ganga or bathing with River Ganga water on this day of Makara Sankranti/Uttarayan is of high importance.
4. Lord Vishnu buried Asuras under the Mandara Mountain thus ending evil on this Uttaryana day.

As per Hindu tradition the six months of Uttarayana are a single day of the Gods and the six months of Dakshinayana are a single night of the Gods.

The first day of Sankranti is known as Uttarayan and next day of Uttarayan is known as Vasi Uttarayan. Gujarati's eat Undhiyu, a spicy baked mix of winter vegetables and Chikkis, made from sesame seeds, peanuts and jaggery.

When is Uttarayan ? Uttarayan Dates

14th January 2018 (Sunday)
15th January 2019 (Tuesday)
15th January 2020 (Wednesday)
14th January 2021 (Thursday)
14th January 2022 (Friday)
14th January 2022 (Friday)
15th January 2024 (Monday)
14th January 2025 (Tuesday)