Amavasya of Saavan month is known as Hariyali Amavasya. During the rainy season, when the earth is covered with greenery, new crops start sprouting in the fields and trees and plants are filled with new energy, then this upcoming festival gives the message of the unique relationship between religion and nature. This year Hariyali Amavasya will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 12. On the basis of Udayatithi, the date of the festival has been considered as 12th August. According to religious beliefs, this day is considered especially auspicious for worshiping Lord Shiva, remembering ancestors, bathing, charity and tree planting.
Hariyali Amavasya is not only a festival of religious faith, but also an opportunity to express gratitude towards nature in Indian culture. For centuries, there has been a tradition of planting trees, worshiping them and taking a pledge to protect the environment on this day. This is the reason why in many parts of the country it is celebrated as a nature festival along with religious rituals. Fairs and mass programs are organized on this occasion especially in many areas of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab.
According to the Vedic calendar, the Amavasya date of Saavan month will start from the night of 11th August and will last till the night of 12th August. On the basis of Udayatithi, the festival of Hariyali Amavasya will be celebrated on 12th August. Many astrologically auspicious coincidences are being said on this day. The coincidence of Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga with Pushya Nakshatra, Gauri Yoga and Gajakesari Yoga has also been described. In religious belief, such auspicious coincidences are considered favorable for works like worship, charity, chanting, penance and service. However, there may be a difference in the calculation of yoga and time in different almanacs, hence it would be appropriate to check the time of puja according to the local almanac.
Sawan is considered dedicated to Lord Shiva. In such a situation, the importance of worshiping Shiva increases on the new moon day of Sawan. Devotees take bath in the morning, wear clean clothes and offer water on the Shivalinga while meditating on Lord Shiva. At many places, Abhishekam is done with Ganga water, milk, Belpatra, flowers and other worship materials. While chanting 'Om Namah Shivay', Mahadev is prayed for the happiness, peace and welfare of the family. It is believed that worshiping Shiva with devotion in Sawan gives peace to the mind and provides spiritual energy to the devotee.
Amavasya Tithi is also related to ancestors. Therefore, on Hariyali Amavasya, there is a tradition of remembering ancestors, making offerings and donating with devotion. Devotees offer tarpan to their ancestors after bathing in a holy river, lake or other water source. Those people for whom formal tarpan is not possible, they can remember their ancestors with devotion at home and do charity in their name. There is a religious belief that gratitude and service towards ancestors creates an atmosphere of happiness and peace in the family. There is also a tradition of donating food, clothes and other necessary items on this day.
The most important aspect of Hariyali Amavasya is considered to be plantation of trees. The rainy season is favorable for the growth of plants, hence a plant planted on this day becomes a symbol of nature conservation. In Indian tradition, trees like Peepal, Banyan, Neem, Amla, Bel, Shami, Kadamba and Mango have been given special importance. In religious beliefs, these trees have been associated with divinity. Peepal is considered to be related to the Trinity, while there is a tradition of linking the Amla tree with Lakshminarayan. Behind these beliefs, the feeling of protecting trees and making society responsible towards nature can also be seen.
Nature conservation is not a modern idea in Indian culture. The message of conservation of earth, water, air, sky and vegetation is found in the Vedas and ancient texts. Considering rivers and reservoirs as sacred, worshiping trees and associating natural resources with divinity have been part of this broader approach. Hariyali Amavasya is a festival that carries forward this tradition. Today, when there are challenges like climate change, increasing pollution, decreasing forest area and water crisis, then the environmental message of this festival becomes even more relevant.
Planting trees is not enough, but taking regular care of the planted plants is equally important. On Hariyali Amavasya, if a person takes a pledge to plant a tree and make it grow, it will be a step towards fulfilling the real objective of the festival. If environmental responsibility is combined with religious faith, then a small effort can become the basis of big change in the coming years. Trees not only provide greenery but also play an important role in providing shade, fruits, shelter to birds and keeping the environment balanced.
Hariyali Amavasya also takes the form of a social festival in many rural and semi-urban areas of the country. Fairs are held in villages and towns, people join in the festivities with families and traditional prasad is distributed. In some areas there has also been a tradition of symbolic sowing of grains like wheat, jowar, gram and maize. Through this, predictions about the upcoming agricultural season are made on the basis of folk beliefs. Traditional offerings like jaggery and wheat grains are also the hallmark of this festival in many areas.
Hariyali Amavasya also reminds us that religion is not limited to worship only. Service, charity, protection of nature and gratitude to ancestors are also part of religious life. Feeding a needy person, helping a poor family, keeping water for birds or planting a tree in a public place and taking care of it can also be considered in accordance with the spirit of this festival. Giving importance to the spirit of service and compassion rather than show off while donating has been the core message of the Indian tradition.
On this occasion, according to religious beliefs, it is advised to avoid anger, disputes and harsh words and live a virtuous life. A pledge can also be taken not to harm the lush green trees and keep the environment clean. There is also a tradition of calming the mind through introspection and meditation on the day of Amavasya. In this way, this festival gives a person a sense of social and environmental responsibility along with spiritual peace.
The message of Hariyali Amavasya seems more important today than ever. On one hand it is associated with the devotion of Sawan and worship of Lord Shiva, on the other hand it gives an opportunity of respect and gratitude towards the ancestors. Along with this, there is inspiration to create a better environment for the coming generations through tree plantation. When religion, tradition and nature come together, Hariyali Amavasya ceases to be just a date, but becomes a festival of positive attitude towards life.
On August 12, when devotees across the country will anoint Lord Shiva, remember their ancestors and do charity, then this festival will have real significance only when it is accompanied by a resolution to conserve nature. Planting a sapling, watching it grow into a tree and taking the responsibility of preserving it can be the most beautiful gift to future generations. This is the basic message of Hariyali Amavasya that if nature is safe then life will be safe and if there is greenery in life then the path to happiness, peace and prosperity will also be paved.
Kantilal Mandot