Amavasya 2023
11 occurrences in 2023 • Seattle • Deity: Pitru (Ancestors), Shiva, Kali
All Occurrences — 11 Amavasya occurrences in 2023
| # | Date | Day | Paksha | Tithi Ends |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21 Jan 2023 | Saturday | Krishna | — |
| 2 | 19 Feb 2023 | Sunday | Krishna | — |
| 3 | 19 Apr 2023 | Wednesday | Krishna | — |
| 4 | 18 May 2023 | Thursday | Krishna | — |
| 5 | 17 Jun 2023 | Saturday | Krishna | — |
| 6 | 16 Jul 2023 | Sunday | Krishna | — |
| 7 | 15 Aug 2023 | Tuesday | Krishna | — |
| 8 | 14 Sep 2023 | Thursday | Krishna | — |
| 9 | 13 Oct 2023 | Friday | Krishna | — |
| 10 | 12 Nov 2023 | Sunday | Krishna | — |
| 11 | 12 Dec 2023 | Tuesday | Krishna | — |
Each Amavasya has its own classical name (Nirjala, Devshayani, Mokshada, etc.) determined by the Hindu lunar month — see the 8 Named Amavasya section below for stories, benefits, and significance.
What is Amavasya? अमावस्या
Amavasya is the new moon day — the last day of Krishna Paksha — when the Moon is invisible in the night sky. It is the most powerful day for ancestor worship (Shraddha and Tarpan), tantric sadhana, and Shiva-Kali worship. Each lunar month has its own Amavasya with unique significance.
अमावस्या कृष्ण पक्ष का अन्तिम दिन है, जब चन्द्रमा रात में अदृश्य रहता है। पितरों के तर्पण-श्राद्ध, तंत्र साधना और शिव-काली पूजा के लिए यह सर्वश्रेष्ठ तिथि है।
8 Named Amavasya
Each Amavasya has its own name, story, and benefit determined by the lunar month it falls in. Click any name to read its full mythology, benefit, and special observance notes.
Mauni Amavasya मौनी अमावस्या
Magha: Liberation from samsara; merit equal to 1000 yajnas; soul purification through silence
Somvati Amavasya सोमवती अमावस्या
Any (when Amavasya falls on Monday): Husband's longevity; long married life; merit of all amavasyas combined
Shani Jayanti / Vat Savitri Amavasya शनि जयन्ती / वट सावित्री अमावस्या
Jyeshtha: Relief from Shani dosha; husband's longevity; merit of Savitri vrata
Hariyali Amavasya हरियाली अमावस्या
Shravana: Agricultural prosperity; punya for tree planting; ancestor's blessings on family lineage
Bhadrapada Amavasya भाद्रपद अमावस्या
Bhadrapada: Sons' welfare; pitru tarpan power; collected kusha gives merit when used in any ritual
Mahalaya Amavasya महालया अमावस्या
Ashwin: Releases all ancestors collectively; final shraddha for unknown / forgotten / unnatural-death ancestors; Devi welcomes for Navratri
Diwali / Lakshmi Puja Amavasya दीपावली अमावस्या
Kartika: Wealth, prosperity, Lakshmi's blessings for the year; sins washed away; victory over inner darkness
Darsh Amavasya दर्श अमावस्या
Any (general term): Ancestor satisfaction; resolution of pitru dosha symptoms (career obstacles, family discord, child-related issues)
Vrat Vidhi (Procedure) व्रत विधि
The traditional step-by-step procedure for observing Amavasya, drawn from classical Vedic sources.
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).
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'.
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.
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.
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 मंत्र
Sacred mantras to chant during Amavasya for maximum spiritual benefit. Recite with devotion and proper pronunciation.
Looking for more? Browse our complete library of Vedic Scriptures — Chalisas, Stotras, Aartis, and Mantras.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Amavasya are there in a year?
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.
What is the most important Amavasya?
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.
Why is Amavasya considered inauspicious?
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.
Should we travel on Amavasya?
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.
What should we donate 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.
What is Tarpan?
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.