The new moon of Shravan month, known as Hariyali Amavasya, holds a very special place in religious practice. On this day nature becomes full of greenery and the atmosphere fills with purity and peace. It is believed that on this auspicious date, by worshipping Lord Shiva, Mata Parvati and the Peepal tree with devotion, the burdens of life become lighter and the doors of happiness and prosperity open in the home. According to tradition, on Hariyali Amavasya a fast is observed, a lamp is lit under the Peepal tree and the Amavasya Vrat Katha is heard, which makes the result of the vrat complete.
Why is the Peepal Tree Worshipped on Hariyali Amavasya
The practice of worshipping the Peepal tree on Amavasya is very ancient. On the day of Hariyali Amavasya in Shravan, the Peepal tree is revered as a divine form, a lamp is lit at its base, water is offered and circumambulation is done. It is believed that in the roots of the Peepal resides Brahma, in the trunk Vishnu and at the top Lord Shiva, therefore by worshipping the Peepal one receives the combined blessings of the trinity.
There is also a belief that on Hariyali Amavasya, after worshipping the Peepal tree, simply listening to or reading the Amavasya Vrat Katha with faith removes difficulties, defamation and sudden obstacles from life. Wealth, health and harmony in the family increase. On this day both women and men observe fast and resolve that they will not put false blame on anyone and will try to follow the path of truth.
How is the Hariyali Amavasya Vrat Observed
On the day of Hariyali Amavasya it is auspicious to take a bath in the morning and wear clean light or light green clothes. The house altar and courtyard are purified by sprinkling clean water. After this one goes to a nearby Peepal tree and offers water at its roots. Turmeric, vermillion, rice grains and flowers are offered. Seven, eleven or twenty one circumambulations are done around the tree and Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati are remembered.
The person observing the vrat maintains simple food for the day and many people take fruit only once. In the evening a lamp is lit under the Peepal or at the home altar and the Hariyali Amavasya Vrat Katha is read or heard. After listening to the story, an offering of jaggery, wheat or guddhani is made and the same is distributed as prasad among family and others around.
| Step of Hariyali Amavasya Vrat | Brief description |
|---|
| Bath and purification | Morning bath, clean clothes, purification of house altar |
| Peepal worship | Water, turmeric, vermillion, rice, flowers, circumambulation |
| Fasting and restraint | Simple food, many observe only fruit meal |
| Lamp and story reading | Evening lamp and listening to Hariyali Amavasya Katha |
| Offering and prasad | Guddhani or sweets offered then shared as prasad |
Life Improving Message Hidden in Hariyali Amavasya Vrat Story
The famous story of Hariyali Amavasya begins in a royal household where a king lived happily in his palace with his family. The king had a son who was married. The daughter in law of the king was beautiful and lived in comfort and luxury of the palace. One day she went to the kitchen and saw delicious sweets kept there. Overcome by loneliness and greed she could not restrain herself and ate all the sweets.
After some time when people in the kitchen asked where the sweets had gone, she, in order to hide the truth, casually said that all the sweets had been eaten by mice. This was heard not only by humans but also by the mice roaming in the kitchen. Hearing this false accusation they became extremely angry and thought that blame had been placed on them without any fault.
The mice made a firm decision in their hearts that the king's daughter in law must face the result of her lie. They patiently waited for an opportunity to take revenge.
Revenge of the Mice Theft of the Sari and False Blame on Character
After a few days an opportunity came when some respected guests arrived to stay in the palace. The mice felt that this was the right time. They thought that if a serious situation was created now then the people of the palace would raise questions on the character of the daughter in law and she would surely suffer.
At night when everyone was asleep, the mice quietly entered the chamber of the king's daughter in law. They pulled out her sari kept there and carried it to the room where the guests were staying. In the morning when servants and others came to arrange the guest room they were shocked to see the sari there.
Soon the news spread in the palace that the sari of the king's daughter in law had been found in the guest chamber. Without knowing the truth people began to question her character. These talks spread through the town like wildfire. When this news reached the king he, without proper enquiry, doubted her character and in anger ordered that she be expelled from the palace.
From Palace to Hut Life under the Peepal Tree and Lamp Worship
The king's daughter in law was driven out of the palace. Filled with insult and sorrow she went alone to live in a small hut. Yet her faith in God remained firm. She resolved that now her only refuge was at the feet of the Lord. She started going daily to a nearby Peepal tree and lighting a lamp there.
She regularly worshipped the Peepal tree, lit the lamp, remembered Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati and then returned home to prepare guddhani as an offering. She distributed this as prasad among people. Days passed. Although she remained sad due to the blemish on her name she did not lessen her service and worship.
Conversation of the Lamps Soldiers Hearing and Truth Being Revealed
One day by coincidence the king passed along the path where the Peepal tree stood. In the dark night he saw the area around the tree lit by bright light of many lamps and he was surprised. He felt that there was some special secret at this place. After returning to the palace he ordered his soldiers to find the reason for this light and explain everything in detail.
The soldiers reached the Peepal tree at night. To their wonder they heard that the lamps burning there were as if speaking among themselves. Each lamp began to tell its own story. Then one lamp said that it belonged to the king's palace.
It said that after being expelled from the palace, the king's daughter in law worships it every day and lovingly lights it. The other lamps asked why she had been driven out. That lamp then narrated the entire incident of how she ate the sweets and falsely blamed the mice and how in revenge the mice placed her sari in the guest room. It said that on seeing this, the king expelled her from the palace without verifying the truth.
The soldiers were astonished to hear this. They immediately returned to the palace and narrated the whole story to the king.
Restoration of Honour through Hariyali Amavasya Vrat and Peepal Worship
After hearing everything from the soldiers a deep repentance arose in the king's heart. He realised that it was great injustice to accuse and expel his daughter in law without knowing the truth. He at once sent messengers with orders to bring her back.
When the daughter in law returned to the palace the king received her with respect. Her honour was restored among the family. In this way the fruit of regularly lighting a lamp under the Peepal tree, worshipping and observing the vrat returned to her and her life again became filled with happiness and dignity.
This story indicates that on Hariyali Amavasya, even a simple act of observing a vrat, worshipping the Peepal and lighting a lamp can remove deep sorrow and free a person from social humiliation.
Why is the Hariyali Amavasya Vrat observed?
The Hariyali Amavasya Vrat is observed to worship the Peepal tree, receive the grace of Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati and remove suffering and defamation from life.
Does merely listening to or reading the story also give benefit?
Yes. It is believed that on Hariyali Amavasya, after Peepal worship, simply listening to or reading the Vrat Katha reduces difficulties and increases happiness and prosperity.
What is the importance of lighting a lamp under the Peepal tree?
Lighting a lamp under the Peepal and praying there is believed to grant blessings of the trinity and increases inner light, wisdom and right decision making.
Should only women observe the Hariyali Amavasya Vrat?
There is no such restriction. Both women and men can observe the Hariyali Amavasya Vrat with faith and worship the Peepal tree.
What changes can be seen in life through this vrat?
Through regular vrat and Peepal worship the mind gains peace, family respect and harmony increase and unexpected troubles gradually begin to fade away.
