In Hindu Mythology there are several myths about moon. Even Amavasya or no moon has s mythological explanation behind it. Somdev or Chandra dev is the God of the moon according to Hindu mythology. He is shown riding a chariot which is pulled by ten white horses or an antelope. His image is of a young, beautiful, fair man, holding a club and a lotus in his hands.
Let’s get into some mythological explanations for the natural phenomenon of no moon. Somdev is said to have been married to the 27 daughters of Prajapati Daksha. Among all of them he loved Rohini the most as she was very beautiful. An infuriated Daksha cursed Chandra to lose his beauty and radiance. But the world became too dark without a shining moon at night.
So Chandra Dev came down to earth and worshipped Lord Shiva to free him of the curse. Lord Shiva was extremely impressed by his penance freed him of the curse of darkness but not completely. This causes the periodical waxing and waning of moon. And once in a month it becomes completely dark which is popularly known as Amavasya.
Soma was an important drink of energy and intoxication in the vedic period. This juice is extracted from the stalks of the plant and a drink is made. The Moon God is also called as Somdev as he is thought to be the storehouse of this elixir. The moon wanes when God drinks out of the store of this drink and when the stores depletes completely it is called as Amavasya or no moon. The phenomenon Amavasya has a scientific explanation behind it.
