It is believed that the water of the most sacred and holy river in Hinduism, the Ganga, turns into the nectar on Mauni Amavasya day. Due to this belief Mauni Amavasya day is the most important day in Hindu calendar to take holy dip in the Ganges. According to North Indian calendar, Mauni Amavasya falls in the middle of Magha month and also known as Maghi Amavasya. Many people take pledge to take holy dip in the Ganges not only on Mauni Amavasya day but also during whole Magha Mahina. The daily bathing ritual starts on Paush Purnima and ends on Magha Purnima day. During Kumbh Mela, Mauni Amavasya is the most important bathing day at Prayag in Allahabad and known as the day of Amrit Yoga and the day of Kumbh Parva.,,Mauni Amavasya is also known as Mauni Amavas (मौनी अमावस). As name suggests it is also the day of silence in Hinduism when people take pledge to observe one day fasting by not uttering a word throughout the day.

मन को शांत रखने के लिए माघ महीने की इस अमावस्या के दिन मौन रहा जाता है. जैसे साधू-संत मौन रहकर तप किया करते थे, भगवान को याद किया करते थे, ठीक उसी प्रकार कलयुग में ईश्वर को याद करने के लिए इस अमावस्या पर मौन रहा जाता है. अगर कोई व्यक्ति शांत ना रह पाए तो इस दिन किसी को बुरा-भला ना बोले, इस परिस्थिती में भी यह व्रत पूरा माना जाता है. मौनी अमावस्या का आरंभ 16 जनवरी को सुबह 5 बजकर 11 मिनट पर हो रहा है जो 17 जनवरी को सुबह 7 बजकर 47 मिनट तक रहेगा.