Amavasya (the New Moon day) marks the culmination of the waning phase (Krishna Paksha) in the Hindu lunar calendar. Due to the occurrence of an extra month (Adhika Jyeshtha / Purushottam Maas) in 2026, the year features 13 Amavasya tithis.

Month Primary Observance / Name Date (Main Observance) Tithi Timings (IST)
January Magha (Mauni) Amavasya January 18, 2026 (Sun) Jan 18, 12:03 AM – Jan 19, 01:21 AM
February Phalguna Amavasya February 17, 2026 (Tue) Feb 16, 05:34 PM – Feb 17, 05:30 PM
March Chaitra Amavasya March 18–19, 2026 (Wed–Thu) Mar 18, 08:25 AM – Mar 19, 06:52 AM
April Vaishakha Amavasya April 17, 2026 (Fri) Apr 16, 08:11 PM – Apr 17, 05:21 PM
May Jyeshtha (Shani Amavasya / Vat Savitri) May 16, 2026 (Sat) May 16, 05:11 AM – May 17, 01:30 AM
June Adhika Jyeshtha (Somvati Amavasya) June 15, 2026 (Mon) Jun 14, 12:19 PM – Jun 15, 08:23 AM
July Ashadha Amavasya July 14, 2026 (Tue) Jul 13, 06:49 PM – Jul 14, 03:12 PM
August Shravana (Hariyali / Aadi) Amavasya August 12, 2026 (Wed) Aug 12, 01:52 AM – Aug 12, 11:06 PM
September Bhadrapada (Pithori) Amavasya September 10–11, 2026 (Thu–Fri) Sep 10, 10:33 AM – Sep 11, 08:56 AM
October Ashwin (Mahalaya / Sarva Pitru Amavasya) October 10, 2026 (Sat) Oct 09, 09:35 PM – Oct 10, 09:19 PM
November Kartika Amavasya (Diwali / Lakshmi Puja) November 8–9, 2026 (Sun–Mon) Nov 08, 11:27 AM – Nov 09, 12:31 PM
December Margashirsha Amavasya December 8, 2026 (Tue) Dec 08, 04:12 AM – Dec 09, 06:21 AM

Spiritual Significance & Observances

  • Ancestral Karma & Pitru Tarpan: Amavasya is universally ruled by the Pitrus (departed ancestors). Offering Tarpanam using water, black sesame seeds (ellu/til), and kusha grass during the midday (Aparahna Kaal) dissolves ancestral debt (Pitru Dosha) and brings protection to one’s lineage.

  • Mind Cleansing and Stillness: Since the Moon represents the human mind (Manas), the absence of lunar reflection corresponds to the stillness of inner thoughts. It is a period for silence (Mauna), deep introspective meditation, and fasting rather than launching new external commercial ventures., AI generated

  • Special Astral Configurations:

    • Somvati Amavasya (June 15, 2026): Amavasya coinciding with a Monday, highly auspicious for Lord Shiva worship and removing family grief.

    • Shani Amavasya (May 16 & October 10, 2026): Amavasya falling on a Saturday, regarded as ideal for appeasing Lord Shani and clearing past karmic blockages.

    • Mahalaya / Sarva Pitru Amavasya (October 10, 2026): The culmination of the 16-day Pitru Paksha, where rites can be performed for all departed souls even if their exact death dates are forgotten.

  • Charity (Daan) & Living Beings: Feeding cows (Gau Seva), crows (symbolic messengers of ancestors), and providing satvik meals to the needy on this day clears negative karma and restores household balance.

Provide the step-by-step Pitru Tarpan vidhi, mantras, and rules for Amavasya.

Pitru Tarpanam is performed during the Aparahna Kaal (midday, roughly between 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM). It uses water, black sesame seeds (til / ellu), and darbha grass to satisfy departed ancestors and dissolve lineage karma (Pitru Rina).

Essential Samagri (Materials)

  • Fresh, clean water in a copper, brass, or silver vessel (never iron or plastic).

  • Black sesame seeds (Karuppu Ellu / Kala Til).

  • Darbha grass (Kusha grass) made into a ring (Pavitram) for the right ring finger, plus a small mat or base.

  • A copper or brass plate/vessel to collect the poured water.

  • Akshata (unbroken raw rice mixed with a touch of turmeric) for Deva/Rishi sections.

1.Purification and Pavithra Dharanam:Facing East.

Take a purifying bath and wear clean, traditional attire (such as an unstitched dhoti). Sit on a wooden plank or mat facing East.

Perform basic Achamanam (sipping water three times with Achyutaya Namah, Anantaya Namah, Govindaya Namah) to purify speech and body. Place the ring made of darbha grass (Pavitram) onto the ring finger of your right hand.

2.Sankalpam (Solemn Resolve):Setting intention with time and lineage.

Hold a small amount of water, akshata, and sesame seeds in your right hand. Pronounce the current time, location, your Gotra, your name, and declare the intention to perform Amavasya Tarpanam for the satisfaction of the Pitrus:

“Shri Parameshvara Preetyartham, Asmad Pitrunam (Gotra) Gotranam… Pithru-Pithamaha-Prapithamahanam… Akshayya Tripti-Artham, Amavasya Punyakale Pitru Tarpanam Karishye.”

Release the water into the plate.

3.Deva and Rishi Tarpanam:Facing East and North.

  • Deva Tarpanam: Face East. Keep the holy thread over the left shoulder (Upavita / normal position). Pour water containing akshata over the tips of your open fingers (Deva Tirtha), repeating:

    “Devams-tarpayami, Brahmarshin-tarpayami.”

  • Rishi Tarpanam: Shift orientation facing North. Wear the thread around the neck like a garland (Nivita). Pour water through the base of the little finger (Rishi Tirtha), invoking the ancient seers:

    “Rishims-tarpayami, Kanda-rishims-tarpayami.”

4.Pitru Tarpanam:Facing South – Mandatory shift to Pitru Tirtha.

Turn to face South. Shift your holy thread over the right shoulder hanging to the left hip (Prachinavita / valamuri position). Bend your right knee slightly. Mix black sesame seeds into the water vessel.

Hold water mixed with black sesame in your cupped right hand. Tilt your palm so the water flows out specifically through the space between the right thumb and index finger (Pitru Tirtha).

Pour water three times for each primary ancestor line:

  • Father / Paternal Line:

    “(Father’s Name) Gotram, (Father’s Name) Sharmanam, Vasu-roopam, Asmat Pitaram Tarpayami Triptam Bhavatu.”

  • Grandfather: “…Prapitaram Tarpayami Triptam Bhavatu.”

  • Great-Grandfather: “…Praprapitaram Tarpayami Triptam Bhavatu.”

  • Maternal Line: Repeat similarly for Maternal Grandfather (Matamaha), etc.

5.Sarva Pitru Tarpanam and Universal Prayer:For unremembered or lineage-less souls.

To ensure no departed soul in the extended cosmos remains parched, offer three oblations through the Pitru Tirtha while reciting:

“Yesham na mata na pita na bandhuh, na anya-gotrah na cha tanna-dharmah |

Te sarve tripti-mayantu mayot-srishtaih kusha-udakaih ||”

(May all departed beings in creation who have no mother, father, relative, or surviving lineage to offer them water find absolute contentment through this offering of Kusha and water).

6.Samarpanam and Pavitra Visarjanam:Concluding release.

Turn back to face East. Reset your thread to the left shoulder (Upavita). Remove the darbha grass ring (Pavitram), untie it, and place it down respectfully.

Perform final Achamanam. Take a few drops of the residual sacred water on your fingertips and lightly touch your eyes and head, offering the fruit of the action to Narayana:

“Kayena Vacha Manasendriyairva… Narayana iti Samarpayami.”

Core Rules and Dos & Don’ts

  • Water Disposal: Never pour the collected Tarpanam water down a domestic sink, drain, or onto concrete walkways. Disperse it at the base of a live tree (preferably Peepal, Banyan, or a flowering garden plant, excluding Tulsi) or immerse it in running river water.

  • Fasting Discipline: The person performing the ritual must remain fasting (consuming only water if medically necessary) until the Tarpanam and food offerings are complete.

  • Gau Gras & Crow Feeding: Before family members eat their midday meal, set aside a portion of freshly prepared satvik food (no onion, garlic, or non-vegetarian ingredients) on a banana leaf for crows and cows.

  • Karta Eligibility: Typically performed by the eldest son or male lineage descendant. Those whose fathers are alive do not offer Pitru Tarpanam for the paternal line (they perform Deva/Rishi tarpan or observe fasts under the guidance of elders).

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