Mauni Amavasya occurs on the 15th day of the dark fortnight of Magh (January-February). Mauni is derived from the Sanskrit word Mauna which means silence. A person who practices silence is known as Mauni. Amavasya refers to the day in a month when the new moon is seen. On the day of Mauni Amavasya, the Sun and the Moon are present in the zodiac sign of Capricorn, which would confer the highest spiritual merit.
Mauni Amavasya is considered auspicious if it falls on a Monday, and the selection is always higher if it is Kumbh Mela that year. It is known as Chollangi Amavasya in Andhra Pradesh and Darsj Amavasya in the rest of India. According to the Puranas, Manu Rishi appeared on the day of Mauni Amavasya. It is also believed that it was in Mauni Amavasya that the world was created.
This day is considered very auspicious for Kumbh Mela. A large number of devotees bath at Triveni Sangam (where Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswathi meets) near Allahabad. Bathing on this day is considered a royal bath. Bathing is special for the Akhadas of Varanasi, Junagadh, Nasik and Ayodhya. On that day, the faithful observes silence, they will not speak to each other. They bath in the early hours of the day at the Triveni Sangam. Many devotees observe the fast on this day.
