What is Amavasya?

Amavasya (Sanskrit: Amavasya, "the abode of together," referring to the conjunction of Sun and Moon) is the 30th Tithi of the Krishna Paksha, the final day of the lunar month. On Amavasya, the Moon is completely invisible, being in perfect conjunction with the Sun. The Hindu calendar treats this as the last day of one lunar month and the beginning of the next cycle.

In Vedic cosmology, the Moon (Chandra) is considered the abode of the Pitrus (ancestors). The waning phase of the Moon each month corresponds to the gradual journey of ancestral souls toward the Moon, and on Amavasya, the Pitrus are believed to be closest to the earthly realm, making it the ideal day for performing Shraddha (ancestral rites) and Tarpana (water offerings to ancestors).

The Garuda Purana and Vishnu Smriti both prescribe Amavasya as the primary monthly date for Pitru Karma (rites for the dead). Performing Tarpana on Amavasya is said to satisfy the ancestors for one full lunar month. A family that consistently performs Amavasya Tarpana is believed to receive continued blessings from its ancestral lineage.

Pitru Tarpana: The Ancestral Water Offering

Tarpana (from the root "trp," meaning "to satisfy") is the ritual of offering water mixed with sesame seeds (Tila), barley (Yava), and Kusha grass to the ancestors. The ritual is performed by males of the family, typically in a river, pond, or at home in a large vessel.

The Tarpana is offered three times for each ancestor, calling them by name while making offerings with the sacred formula from the Yajurveda. Offerings are made to three generations of paternal ancestors (father, grandfather, great-grandfather) and optionally to maternal ancestors as well. The formula "Asmin Tarpayami" (I satisfy this one) is repeated while pouring water.

The best time for Tarpana on Amavasya is the Aparahna Kala, the afternoon period (approximately 1 PM to 3 PM local time). This period is specifically associated with Pitru Loka (the ancestral realm) in the Vedic temporal division of the day.

Mahalaya Amavasya

Mahalaya Amavasya (occurring in the month of Ashwin, September or October) is the most sacred of all Amavasyas. It marks the conclusion of the 16-day Pitru Paksha (fortnight of ancestors), a period entirely dedicated to ancestral rites. During Pitru Paksha, beginning on the day after Bhadrapada Purnima and ending on Mahalaya Amavasya, Shraddha ceremonies are performed for specific ancestors on specific Tithis matching their date of death.

The tradition of Mahalaya has particular prominence in Bengal, where it marks the awakening of Goddess Durga and is celebrated with the recitation of Mahishasura Mardini (a devotional composition in praise of Durga) broadcast on All India Radio at 4 AM. This tradition, begun in 1932, continues to this day and is considered one of the most beloved cultural expressions of Pitru Paksha observance.

Amavasya Dates 2026