Amavasya 2026 — All New Moon Dates
12 Amavasya dates with significance and Pitru rituals
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Next Amavasya
Shravana Amavasya
Wednesday, 12 August 2026
Amavasya is the new moon day — the 30th tithi (lunar day) when the moon is not visible. It occurs once per lunar month, giving 12 Amavasya dates in 2026. In Vedic tradition, this is the most potent day for connecting with ancestors (Pitru).
The most significant Amavasya of the year is Mahalaya Amavasya (Pitru Paksha Amavasya, September) when all Hindus traditionally offer oblations to their forebears. Diwali Amavasya(Kartika, October/November) is the night of the year's most celebrated festival.
Amavasya that falls on a Saturday is called Shani Amavasya — especially important for worshipping Saturn and overcoming obstacles. Amavasya on a Monday is called Somvati Amavasya — considered very auspicious for married women.
| Month | Name | Date | Special |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Pausha Amavasya | Sunday, 18 Jan | |
| February | Mauni Amavasya | Tuesday, 17 Feb | Mauni |
| March | Phalguna Amavasya | Thursday, 19 Mar | |
| April | Chaitra Amavasya | Friday, 17 Apr | |
| May | Shani Amavasya (Vaishakha Amavasya) | Saturday, 16 May | Shani |
| June | Somvati Amavasya (Jyeshtha Amavasya) | Monday, 15 Jun | Somvati |
| July | Ashadha Amavasya | Tuesday, 14 Jul | |
| August | Shravana AmavasyaNext | Wednesday, 12 Aug | |
| September | Mahalaya Amavasya | Friday, 11 Sept | |
| October | Shani Amavasya (Diwali Amavasya) | Saturday, 10 Oct | Diwali |
| November | Somvati Amavasya (Margashirsha Amavasya) | Monday, 9 Nov | Somvati |
| December | Pausha Amavasya | Tuesday, 8 Dec |
✓ Recommended on Amavasya
- Offer Pitru Tarpan (water + sesame) to ancestors
- Perform Shraddha ceremony if possible
- Fast the entire day (or until moonrise)
- Visit Lord Shiva, Hanuman, or Durga temples
- Give food, clothing, or money to the needy
- Light a lamp (deepam) in the evening
- Recite Pitru Stotram or Mahamrityunjaya Mantra
✗ Avoid on Amavasya
- Starting new ventures or businesses
- Signing important contracts or agreements
- Long-distance travel (especially at night)
- Moving into a new home
- Marriage or engagement ceremonies
- Cutting hair or nails
- Eating non-vegetarian food
About Pitru Tarpan
Tarpan is the ritual of offering water (with sesame seeds, kusha grass, and flowers) to one's deceased ancestors. It is performed standing in a river, pond, or a vessel of water, facing south (the direction of the ancestors). The belief is that this offering reaches the ancestors and provides them nourishment, helping them in the afterlife. Mahalaya Amavasya is the most important day for this ritual — even those who cannot perform it monthly are expected to do it on this day.
Amavasya FAQ
Is Amavasya good or bad?
Amavasya is powerful but dual-natured. Inauspicious for new ventures, it is highly auspicious for ancestral rituals, charity, and spiritual practice. The new moon's energy amplifies all intentions, so focus it on Pitru worship and devotion.
What rituals are done on Amavasya?
Pitru Tarpan (water offering to ancestors), Shraddha ceremony (feeding Brahmins in memory of ancestors), temple visits, fasting, and charitable giving. On Mahalaya Amavasya specifically, all Hindus traditionally offer Tarpan.
Can we start new work on Amavasya?
Generally no — it is inauspicious for new beginnings. The exception is Diwali Amavasya, when worshipping Lakshmi and starting new account books (in the business tradition) is considered very auspicious.