Falgun Amavasya Fast Story

Falgun Amavasya is observed on the last day of the waning moon in the month of Falgun, the final month of the Hindu calendar. It marks the end of the current Hindu year and is followed by the New Year, starting with the month of Chaitra. In 2024, Falgun Amavasya will be observed on Sunday, 10th March, following Mahashivratri. This Amavasya is believed to bring happiness, prosperity, and good fortune. People observe fasts, bathe in holy rivers, offer charity to the needy, and perform rituals for their ancestors (tarpan and shraddha) to grant them peace and seek their blessings.

The Fast Story: The story tells of a poor Brahmin family consisting of a husband, wife, and their daughter. Despite her beauty, skills, and virtues, the daughter couldn’t get married because of their financial struggles. One day, a saint visited the Brahmin’s house and was deeply impressed by the service of the daughter. He blessed her with a long life but revealed that her palm showed signs of widowhood. Worried, the family asked the saint for a solution. The saint explained that in a nearby village lived a washerwoman named Sona, who was devoted to her husband. If the girl served Sona and Sona applied her marital vermillion to the girl’s forehead during her wedding, the widowhood curse could be removed. Following the saint’s advice, the girl visited Sona daily to clean her house and help her with chores. One day, Sona noticed that someone was secretly cleaning her house. Upon discovering the girl, Sona learned about the saint’s instructions and agreed to help her. During the girl’s wedding, Sona applied her own vermillion to the girl’s forehead, but soon after, Sona’s husband passed away. Distraught but determined, Sona walked without water or food until she found a Peepal tree. On the day of Amavasya, Sona performed 108 circumambulations of the Peepal tree using pieces of brick instead of traditional offerings. Afterward, she drank water, and her husband miraculously came back to life.

Significance of Falgun Amavasya: This day is considered extremely auspicious for observing fasts, performing rituals, and worshipping ancestors. It is believed that fasting and charity on this day yield immense spiritual rewards and bring peace and prosperity.