Mahalaya Amavasya (Sarva Pitru Amavasya)
🗓️ Bhadrapada / Ashwin Amavasya — last day of Pitru Paksha (Sep–Oct)
The story behind Mahalaya Amavasya (Sarva Pitru Amavasya)
Mahalaya Amavasya closes Pitru Paksha, the fortnight given to the ancestors. It is also called Sarva Pitru Amavasya because the tarpan offered on it reaches every departed forebear — including those whose tithi of passing was never recorded. Water, black sesame and darbha are offered facing south, and a portion of the day's food is set aside for the crow, the cow and the guest. In Bengal the same dawn is Mahalaya, when Maa Durga is invoked to begin her descent — so the fortnight of remembrance ends and the Devi's fortnight opens on a single day.
Mahalaya Amavasya (Sarva Pitru Amavasya) Puja Vidhi
- 1
Snana & Sankalpa
Bathe before sunrise, preferably in flowing water, wear the pavitri of darbha grass on the right ring finger, and take the sankalpa naming the ancestors.
- 2
Pitru Tarpan
Facing south, offer water mixed with black sesame through the pitru tirtha — the part of the palm below the thumb — repeating the offering for the paternal and maternal lines.
- 3
Pinda Dana
Offer pindas of cooked rice, barley flour, ghee and sesame on darbha, in the name of the ancestors, at a riverbank or in the home's clean southern quarter.
- 4
Panchabali & Brahmana Bhojan
Set aside portions for the crow, cow, dog, devas and the guest before anyone eats, then feed a brahmana or a person in need and offer dakshina.
Mahalaya Amavasya (Sarva Pitru Amavasya) Mantra
ॐ पितृभ्यः स्वधायिभ्यः स्वधा नमः॥
Meaning
To the ancestors, who receive the offering of swadha — the offering of swadha, and salutations.
How to chant
Recited at each offering of water during tarpan, facing south, with the sacred thread worn over the right shoulder.