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Mahalaya Amavasya महालया अमावस्या

Ashwin • Amavasya

Also known as: Sarvapitri Amavasya, Pitri Visarjani Amavasya, Mahalaya

Mahalaya Amavasya does not occur in 2026. Check the 2027 calendar.

Story — Significance of Mahalaya Amavasya

The most important day for ancestor worship. Closes Pitru Paksha (16 days of shraddha). All forgotten ancestors, those whose tithi is unknown, and those who died unnaturally are honored together. In Bengal, Mahishasura-mardini is recited at dawn — marking the welcoming of Devi for Durga Puja.

Benefit

Releases all ancestors collectively; final shraddha for unknown / forgotten / unnatural-death ancestors; Devi welcomes for Navratri

Special Note

Performing tarpan and shraddha on Mahalaya is mandatory if you have not done so on the specific tithi of your ancestor's death. The most sacred Amavasya for pitru worship.

Vrat Vidhi (Procedure)

  1. 1

    Pre-Sunrise Bath

    Wake before sunrise. Take bath in a sacred river if possible (Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Kshipra, Narmada, Kaveri, Sindhu) — or add a few drops of Ganga jal to bath water. Wear clean white or black cloth (no bright colors).

  2. 2

    Tarpan to Ancestors

    Stand facing south (direction of Yama). Mix water with til (sesame), barley, white flowers. Recite ancestor names (paternal first 3 generations + maternal 3 generations) and pour water from joined palms saying: 'Ye [Name] gotra [Gotra] [father's name]ya nama tarpayami' (3 times each). Conclude with 'Sarva Pitribhyo Namah'.

  3. 3

    Pind Daan (if home shraddha)

    Make balls of cooked rice mixed with til, ghee, honey. Offer to ancestors invoking their names. Feed a Brahmin, a cow, a dog, and a crow before eating yourself.

  4. 4

    Donations

    Donate til (sesame), white cloth, rice, water pots, umbrella, footwear, gold (if affordable) — these are pitru-dana items. Donating to a learned Brahmin family is most meritorious.

  5. 5

    Day Observance

    Eat one satvik vegetarian meal (no onion-garlic, no meat). Avoid initiating new ventures, weddings, or grand purchases. Spend time in introspection, ancestor remembrance, and Shiva-Kali worship in the evening.

Mantras

Pitru Mantra
ॐ पितृगणाय विद्महे जगत् धारिणी धीमहि। तन्नो पितृ प्रचोदयात्॥
Om Pitra-ganaya Vidmahe Jagat Dharini Dhimahi. Tanno Pitrah Prachodayat.
Meaning: We meditate on the host of ancestors who sustain the world. May they inspire us.
Sarva Pitru Mantra
ॐ सर्वपितृभ्यो नमः
Om Sarva-pitribhyo Namah
Meaning: Salutations to all ancestors
Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra (for Shiva worship)
ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्। उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मामृतात्॥
Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushti-vardhanam. Urvarukamiva Bandhanaan Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritaat.
Meaning: We worship the three-eyed Lord (Shiva), fragrant and nourishing. May He liberate us from death's bondage as a cucumber from its stem — for immortality, not death.

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