Amavasya Dates 2026
अमावस्या — पितृ तर्पण गाइड
All 12 Amavasya (new moon) dates · Pitru Tarpan guide, Shraddha rituals & the spiritual significance of each no-moon day
🌑 What is Amavasya?
Amavasya (अमावस्या) is the new moon day — the 30th tithi of Krishna Paksha when the moon is not visible from Earth. It is the most important day for Pitru (ancestral) rites in Sanatan Dharma. Performing Shraddha, Tarpan and charity on Amavasya is said to appease departed ancestors and bring their blessings to the family.
It is believed that on Amavasya, the connection between the physical world and Pitru Loka is at its strongest — souls of ancestors come closer to their descendants, and offerings of water, food and prayers directly reach them. The next Amavasya is Ashadha Amavasya on Thursday, June 25, 2026.
📅 All Amavasya Dates — 2026
🧘 The Spiritual Science of Amavasya
Amavasya represents a state of maximum inward energy. With the moon absent from the sky, the mind naturally turns inward, external distractions reduce, and subtle energies become more active. In traditional understanding, the moon governs the mind (manas) — its absence creates conditions ideal for ancestral remembrance and karmic release.
This is why ancient texts emphasise silence (maun), charity (daan) and water offerings (tarpan) on this day. Amavasya is a cycle of completion, surrender, and connection beyond the visible world — not a day to be feared, but deeply honoured.
🙏 How to Perform Pitru Tarpan
Pitru Tarpan is the act of offering water and prayers to ancestors. It can be done on any Amavasya, but is especially powerful on Mahalaya Amavasya and Mauni Amavasya.
- Wake before sunrise and take a bath — holy dip in a river yields enormous merit
- Wear clean, simple clothes — white or light colours preferred
- Face south — the direction of Pitru Loka and Yama
- Take water in cupped palms with black sesame seeds (til) and kusha grass
- Offer water while chanting the gotra and name of each departed ancestor
- Repeat three times for each ancestor — father, grandfather, great-grandfather etc.
- Offer cooked food (kheer, rice, til laddoo) if performing full Shraddha
- Feed crows and Brahmins — crows are messengers of ancestors
- Donate food, clothes or water in the name of the ancestor
✅ What to Do on Amavasya
- 🙏 Perform Pitru Tarpan or Shraddha
- 🪔 Light a diya for ancestors
- 🤲 Donate food, clothing or essentials
- 🧘 Observe silence or meditation
- 🛕 Visit a temple or sacred water body
- 🌿 Chant Vishnu or ancestral mantras
❌ What to Avoid
- 🚫 Avoid major new beginnings or decisions
- 🚫 Avoid conflicts or harsh speech
- 🚫 Avoid non-vegetarian food, alcohol
- 🚫 Avoid tamasic food and indulgence
- 🚫 Avoid unnecessary travel
- 🚫 Avoid sleep during the day