🙏 Mahalaya Amavasya
Sarva Pitru Amavasya - Last Day of Pitru Paksha
🗓️ Mahalaya Amavasya 2026
September 18, Friday | Bhadrapada Krishna Amavasya
📖 What is Mahalaya Amavasya?
Mahalaya Amavasya is the last and most important day of Pitru Paksha. It is also called Sarva Pitru Amavasya. "Mahalaya" means "great dissolution" or "great merger" - the merging of ancestral souls with the divine.
On this sacred day, Shraddha and Tarpana can be performed for ancestors of all tithis, those whose tithi is unknown, those who died untimely, and for all family members. This is the most meritorious day of Pitru Paksha.
✨ Special Significance
🙏 Sarva Pitru Shraddha
Shraddha can be performed for ancestors of all tithis on one day. Even forgotten ancestors can be honored this day.
❓ Unknown Tithi
Best day for Shraddha when death tithi is not known.
💔 Untimely Death
Shraddha for those who died in accidents, wars, or untimely.
👨👩👧👦 All Family Members
Tarpana for all ancestors from both paternal and maternal sides.
🕐 Puja Timings
- Tarpana: 6:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Shraddha: 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM
- Pinda Pradana: During Kutapa Kala
📋 Things to Do
- Tarpana for ancestors
- Pinda Pradana
- Brahmin Bhojan
- Cow service, Crow service
- Charity and donations
⚠️ Rules
- Observe fasting
- Avoid auspicious events
- No non-vegetarian food
- Face South while worshiping
🛕 Tarpana at Sacred Places
Performing Tarpana on Mahalaya Amavasya at sacred places like Gaya, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Rameswaram, Nashik is highly meritorious. In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Tarpana can be performed on the banks of Godavari and Krishna rivers.
- Gaya (Bihar) - Pitru Moksha
- Varanasi (UP) - Ganga Ghat
- Rajahmundry - Godavari
- Vijayawada - Krishna River
❓ FAQs
What is Mahalaya Amavasya?
Mahalaya Amavasya is the last day of Pitru Paksha. It is also called Sarva Pitru Amavasya. Shraddha can be performed for ancestors of all tithis on this day.
When is Mahalaya Amavasya in 2026?
Mahalaya Amavasya falls on Friday, September 18, 2026.
What is special about Mahalaya Amavasya?
Shraddha can be performed for those whose tithi is unknown, those who died untimely, and for all family members. It is the most meritorious day.