Amavasai 2026 – Date, Significance & Timings

Amavasai (New Moon day) is considered the most auspicious day for Pitru Tarpanam — offering water and sesame seeds to honour departed ancestors. Hindus believe that performing Tarpanam on Amavasai day ensures peace for the souls of ancestors and brings blessings to the living family.

Significance

Amavasai (அமாவாசை) is the New Moon day in the Hindu lunar calendar, occurring once every month when the Moon and Sun are at the same celestial longitude. It is the last day of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight). In Tamil tradition, Amavasai carries deep spiritual significance as the day dedicated to Pitru worship — honouring and propitiating one's ancestors. The most important ritual on Amavasai is Pitru Tarpanam, where devotees offer water (Jala Tharpanam) and sesame seeds to their ancestors. This is believed to ensure peace for the departed souls and bring prosperity and health to the family. Visiting sacred rivers like the Ganga, Cauvery, or Yamuna for Tarpanam is considered especially meritorious on Amavasai. Many temples conduct special pujas and abhishekams on Amavasai. It is also a day for fasting, charity, and visiting temples dedicated to Shiva and ancestral deities. The Amavasai that falls on a Monday (Soma Amavasai) is considered extra auspicious.

How the Date is Determined

Falls on the New Moon (Amavasya) of the Hindu lunar calendar, occurring twice every month.