Chukkala Amavasya puja is observed on the Amavasya (No moon day) during Ashada masam. In 2009, the date of Chukkala Amavasya is July 22, Wednesday. Chukkala Amavasya is mainly observed in Andhra Pradesh and in some parts of Karnataka.

Chukkala Amavasya – Gauri Pooja Procedure:

Chukkala Amavasya Puja is dedicated to Goddess Gauri. This vratam is observed by women for their marital bliss and for health of and long life of husband. During this festival, women wake up early morning and take ritual bath. After sanctifying the puja room, Gauri puja is performed.

Ganapati puja is done in the beginning and then Gouri puja is started. A small Gauramma idol is made with turmeric and worshipped with Shodashopachar (16 types of puja rituals) and stotras dedicated to Goddess Gowri. The special recipe of Chukkala Amavasya is Kudumulu (dough balls). Kudumulu are offered as naivedyam to the Goddess.

During the Gouri puja, women place sanctified threads in front of Gauramma. Those sanctified threads are tied by vrata performed women to each other after the puja is done. Sanctified threads are called Raksha Kavach (protective armors).

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. 

Chukkala Amavasya or Ashada Amavasya is observed as Bheemana Amavasya or Jyothi Bheemeshwara Vrata or Pathi Sanjivini Vrata in Karnataka and Gatari Amavasya in Maharashtra. On this day, Deepa Puja is also performed in some regions of India. 

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.

Popularly known as Gatari, Gatari Amavasya is a ritual or regional festival celebrated in Maharashtra. Gatari Amavas falls on the Ashadh Amavasya (full moon day during Ashadh maas). In 2009, the date of Gatari Amavas is July 22, Wednesday. On this day, Sampoorn Surya Grahan (Total Solar Eclipse) will take place.

Gatari – Regional Festival of Maharashtra:

Gatari is a celebration of joy and happiness. Ashadh Amavas is the last day of Ashad month and next day of it marks the holy Shravan month. To celebrate the day with fun, people of Maharashtra enjoy by eating non-vegetarian food. Gatar means drain or sewage in Marati language.

Gatari marks the farewell of bad food habits and invites the Shravan, the holy month, which will be spent with Ekabukhth and Nakabhukth (Fasting during day or night or taking food for a single time in a day).

Gatari Amavasya is also observed as Bheemana Amavasya in Karnataka and Chukkala Amavasya in Andhra Pradesh. On Ashad Amavasya, Deepa Pooja is observed. This Amavasy is very auspicious for Pithru Tharpan and Pinda Pradhan to ancestors. Jyotir Bheemeshwar Vrata and Pathi Sanjivani Vrata is observed on Bheemana Amavasy day in Karnataka. Telugu people observe Ashada Amavasya as Chukkala Amavasya vratham.

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.