On the Ashadh Amavasya day, Gatari Amavas falls according to Hindu religious calendar. This particular amavasaya is celebrated as a festival in Maharashtra. It is a very popular ritual too.
It is to be noted that Gatari is a celebration of happiness and joy. Ashadh Amavas is the begining of the holy Shravan month and the last day of Ashad month.
It is to be remembered that in Shravan month, Marathi people strictly abstain from different kinds of non-vegetarian food consumption. According to the experts, this period is said to be most susceptible to different kinds of problems for digestion in the stomach. Moreover, the monsoon is at its peak during this particular month. People don’t consume liquor too in this month. People also don’t shave the beard and don’t even cut the hair. Therefore, the Marathi people enjoy this particular amavasya day by eating lot of non-vegetarian food and consuming alcoholic drinks in order to increase the appetite.
Gatari Amavasya is also observed ‘Hariyali Amavas’ in Gujarat state, as ‘Chukkala Amavasya’ in Andhra Pradesh and as ‘Bheemana Amavasya’ in Karnataka. It is to be highly noted that for Pithru tharpan and Pinda Pradhan, Ashada Amavasya is very auspicious day. Even for every kind of significance for Pinda Pradhan and Pitru Tharpanam, Ashada Amavasya is the right day.
It is also a perfect day for any type of pujas, auspicious ritual and charity because on this particular day, Pitru devatas are highly very active. Moreover the deed will reach the destiny and largely provides peace to forefathers and ancestor’s souls.