Mahalaya Amavasya
First Online: August 25, 2026
Page Last Updated: September 03, 2026
Mahalaya Amavasya Mahalaya Amavasya is an important day for remembering and honoring one's ancestors (*pitru*). It falls on the new moon day of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada or Ashwin, depending on the regional calendar, and marks the culmination of Pitru Paksha, the traditional fortnight dedicated to departed family members. It is a time for families to pause and remember parents, grandparents, and earlier generations with gratitude and reverence.
Pradeep Kamat/Kamat's Potpourri
Offering of "Tarpan"
The person performing "tarpan" pours water through the hands while reciting the names or invoking the ancestors, symbolically offering them sustenance and respect.
On this day, many Hindus perform tarpana --the ritual offering of water, sesame, and prayers to their ancestors. Shraddha ceremonies and offerings of food may also be performed, often with the belief that these acts bring peace to the departed and blessings to the living. The rituals are less about mourning and more about acknowledging the debt we owe to those who came before us and recognizing that our lives are a continuation of theirs. Mahalaya Amavasya thus serves as a yearly reminder of family, ancestry, gratitude, and remembrance. Even for those who do not perform elaborate rituals, simply recalling the names and lives of departed parents, grandparents, and ancestors can be a meaningful way of honoring their memory.
