Bheemana Amavasya Vrata – Jyoti Bheemeshwara Amavasya Vratam or Pathi Sanjeevani Puja

Bheemana Amvasya or Bhima Amavasya or Jyoti Bheemeshwara Vrata, also popular as Pathi Sanjeevani Puja is an auspicious vrata observed on Ashada Amavasya (No moon day during Ashada masam in July – August). In 2009, the date of Bheema Amavasya Puja is July 22, Wednesday. The legend of Bhima Amavasya Vrata is mentioned in Skanda Purana. This vrata is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati Devi. On Bheemana Amavasya in 2009, Sampoorna Surya Grahan (Total Solar Eclipse) will take place.

Bheemana Amavasya Vrata – Pathi Sanjeevani Vratam:

Mainly, Jyothir Bheemeshwara Amavasya Vrata is worshipped by women. Unmarried women observe the vrata for their brothers, father and to get good husband. Married women perform the Bhima Amavasya Vrata for marital bliss and health and wealth of their family. Jyothir Bheemeshwara Vrata is also called as Pathi Sanjeevini Vrata because it is observed mainly by married women for long life of their husband. Married women observe the vratam for nine consecutive years after marriage and in ninth year a pair of Deepa is donated to their brothers or to a Brahmin.

Rituals and Pujas during Jyothi Bheemeshwara Vrata or Bheemana Amavasya Vrata:

During the Vrata, some special pujas and rituals are performed. Performers of the vrata prepare lamps with flour. These are called Thambittu Deepa or Thembittu Deepam. Two lamps are prepared with mud referred as Kalikamba. These lamps are considered as Parvati and Parmeshwar. It is believed that lighting of these deepa throws out all the bad effects from home and makes home fresh, blissful and prosperous.

On the occasion of Jythir Bheemeshwar Amamvasya Vrata, one more main ritual performed is preparation of Kadubus. Kadubus are the dough balls having coins inside them. Kadubus or these doubh balls are broken by brothers. This ritual is called as ‘Bhandara Hodiyuvudhu’.

Bheemana Amavasya Vrata is observed as Chukkala Amavasya in Andhra Pradesh and Gatari Amavasya in Maharashtra. Deepa Puja is also observed on this Ashada Masa Amavasya. On Ashada Amavasya, Chukkala Amavasya Vratham is observed in Andhra Pradesh. In Maharashtra Gatari Amavasya is celebrated on Ashada Amavas.

Ashada Amavasya is celebrated as Hariyali Amavas in Gujarat. In other states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, on this Sawan Amavasya, Hariyali Amavasya is celebrated. Fairs are organised in Udaipur, Rajsamand and some more towns of Rajasthan on Hariyali Amavasya.