Bheemana Amavasye or Jyotir Bheemeshwara Vrata
Today is Amavasya, the New Moon day in the Krishna Paksha (in the Waning Phase) in the month of Ashada. It is observed in Karnataka as Bheemana Amavasye or Jyotir Bheemeshwara Vrata.
The festival is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvathi. Unmarried women pray for the well being of their brothers, father, generally for all male members of the family. Married women observe the vratham for the long life of their husband. Married women observe the vratham for nine consecutive years after marriage and in the ninth year a pair of lamps is given to their brothers or a Brahmin.
Two lamps are lit with ghee and kept on the rice spread in a plate and is considered as Parvathi and Parameshwara. One of the lamps is tied with Arishinada Kombu (turmeric root) which is considered as goddess Parvathi. A yellow thread (Gowri dhara) made out of nine knots is also worshipped before tying. Initially lord Ganesha puja is performed as he is the Vigna Nivaraka. Later lord shiva is worshipped. Ganapathi Ashtothara (108 names) and Shiva Ashtothara is chanted during the puja. Yellow thread is tied to the right wrist of the women or girl. Kadubu is prepared for Naivedya
Bhandara
A unique custom followed in some parts of Karnataka is “Bhandara Hodiyuvudu”. Bhandara (treasure Chest) represents wealth, prosperity. Hodiyuvudu is breaking in kannada. Kadubu is prepared and filled with some coins along with pulses/grams. Puja is performed to it keeping it on hosilu (Threshold of the Door). Younger or elder brothers at home break it open with their elbows to represent overflowing and abundance of wealth (treasure of knowledge)
Om Namah Shivaya
agnyaa 