Amas
is the darkest night in the lunar calendar, when the moon is not visible.
It is a tradition on this day to adorn the deities in mandirs with swords,
daggers, spears and shields.
The belief behind this tradition is that Amas is a night on which evil
forces and spirits are at its fiercest. The day of Amas is also considered
inauspicious and no inauguration or launching of a project, etc. is
done. To protect His devotees, and to provide mental and emotional reassurance
that God is there to save them, the tradition of arming the deities
came into vogue. So, when devotees do darshan of the deities adorned
with weapons they feel strong and protected.
This tradition of adorning the deities with weapons is also followed
at all BAPS Swaminarayan mandirs. Though Bhagwan Swaminarayan never
used or carried weapons in His life, His murtis, etc, are also traditionally
adorned on the day of Amas. In fact, He has been associated with a flower
in hand that symbolizes His mission in transforming evil elements and
to uplift society through love and compassion.
|
 with swords, daggers and shields ','photo/surat/98-15f.jpg'))
, Shri Radha Krishna Dev attired for the occasion of Amas with swords and daggers ','photo/surat/98-18f.jpg'))
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
