Hariyali Amavasya: Gratitude, Ancestors And The Green Tradition
The custom or pratha of the month beginning in the lunar calendar is of two ways. One is ending with Amavasya. Amantha is the method of months ending with Amavasya. Another is the month ending with Purnima. When the Ashadha Amavasya happens, it is the rainy season. It is the time for planting. When the first rains have softened the soil, the plants put up shall survive with the following rains,…
Hariyali Amavasya, a custom observed in the lunar calendar, marks the beginning of the month with the Amavasya moon. This Ashadha Amavasya falls during the rainy season, an opportune time for planting. The tradition is rooted in the belief that the freshly softened soil will nurture the plants, contributing to an improved green cover. It is a time for offering Pitru tarpanam, a ritual of gratitude towards one's ancestors, including fathers, grandfathers, great-grandfathers, and their spouses.
The convergence of Amavasya and the monsoon season provides a unique opportunity to plant saplings in memory of these departed elders. Each family member can partake in this act, contributing to the creation of a collective 'social forest'. When planting, it is encouraged to choose varieties that reflect the preferences of the departed, such as white guava for a father who loved the fruit and mangoes for a mother who cherished them.
These trees will provide shade, homes for birds, and sustenance for passers-by. The ritual concludes with the mantra 'Shanti', signifying peace.
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