Mahālaya Amāvāsyā is the new moon that closes Pitṛ Pakṣa, the dark fortnight given to the ancestors. On this day tarpaṇa, piṇḍa and śrāddha reach every forebear, including those whose death tithi the family no longer remembers. That is why it is also called Sarva Pitṛ Amāvāsyā. A family that could not offer on the right tithi during the fortnight offers here. How the day is fixed: It is the Amāvāsyā of the dark fortnight that follows Bhādrapada Pūrṇimā. The amānta count calls it Bhādrapada Amāvāsyā, and the pūrṇimānta count calls it Āśvina Amāvāsyā. Keep in mind: Families that know the death tithi still offer on that tithi within the fortnight. Mahālaya Amāvāsyā gathers everyone else, along with those whose tithi was missed. This year: The 2026 date shown here is worked out from sunrise at the place you chose, so in another city the same day can fall a day earlier or later. Tarpaṇa with sesame and water: After the bath, offer water with black sesame and darbha to father, grandfather and great-grandfather. The ancestors on the mother's side receive tarpaṇa too, and then all others who are remembered. Piṇḍa and a quiet day: Where the full śrāddha is kept, piṇḍa and a meal for brāhmaṇas follow. Many keep the day vegetarian and begin nothing new until it is over. Worth remembering: Madhyāṣṭamī, Mahā Bharaṇī, Maghā Śrāddha and Śastrahata Caturdaśī fall in the same fortnight but are kept as separate days. The ordinary monthly Amāvāsyā is also a different observance. Family śākhā decides who offers and how much of the rite is kept. Some houses keep the full śrāddha with piṇḍa, while others offer tarpaṇa alone. Whatever the custom, follow the way your own house elders have kept this day.
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