Amavasya 2026 — अमावस्या

Typically 12 Amavasyas in a normal year — one at the end of each lunar month's Krishna Paksha. In years with Adhik Maas (extra month), there are 13 Amavasyas.

Mahalaya Amavasya (Ashwin Krishna, end of Pitru Paksha) is the most important for ancestor worship. Diwali Amavasya (Kartik Krishna) is the most celebrated for Lakshmi Puja. Mauni Amavasya (Magha) is most powerful for sangam-snan and silence.

Amavasya is not inauspicious — it is *transformational*. The absence of Moon weakens the mind (Moon = manas), making it unsuitable for new beginnings or purely material work. But it is the most powerful day for tantra, ancestor worship, Shiva-Kali sadhana, and inner work. Treat it as a 'reset button' day.

Long journeys, especially southward, are traditionally avoided on Amavasya. Local travel is fine. Pilgrimages to ancestor-related sites (Gaya, Pitru Tirthas) are encouraged on Amavasya.

Til (sesame), water, cooked food, white cloth, rice, mustard oil, iron items, footwear, umbrella — all are traditional pitru-dana. Feeding crows (representing ancestors), cows, dogs, and Brahmins is the most direct way to satisfy ancestors.

Tarpan is the ritual offering of water mixed with til (sesame), barley, and flowers to ancestors — performed by male descendants facing south. It satisfies the pitru-loka inhabitants and removes pitru dosha effects.