Mauni Amavasya
Mauni Amavasya – Celebrating the power of silence
This festival is observed on the moonless day for observing the vow of silence. Remember, how Mahatma Gandhi practiced it? Many might question the relevance of this festival because they may ask that how and why the day to be observed in total silence. They don’t realize that silence has great power. Silence often makes our recoup one’s concentration and observation. It is the day to ‘receive’ rather than to transmit which we do every day. On this day leading your life for a change in total silence and communicating while writing on small pieces of paper is recommended besides observing complete piety.
Bathing on this day in the holy waters like that of the river Ganges and the like, eating frugally the selective food items like fruits, visiting temples and religious shrines and listening to the discourses of the holy men is said to be greatly merit-bestowing.
In the entire month, there are religious discourses, kirtan bhajan and ‘satsanga’ keep on taking place to the great advantage of the devotees. They stay there taking only frugal diet of fruits etc. and drinking some milk. deserving persons are bestowed with gifts, food, raiment etc. in charity.
On this day the main bathing ceremony during Kumbh Fair at Allahabad for the holy men and Naga-Sadhus takes place. It is a treat to watch scores of unclad or scarcely clad holymen taking bath at Sangam amidst great fanfare and the police bandobast at day break when temperature on the river surface may be plummeting below zero degree. On Mauni Amavasya day, traditionally Lord Vishnu is worshipped and the ‘Peepal’ tree is religiously gone around.
Essentially, it is concentration on the Lord that this day signifies. Wherever you are, practise silence and pray to whichever higher power you believe in as he purpose of observing silence on this day is said to be sharpening one’s power of concentration power and living in total communion with God.