Mahalaya Amavasya 2026

Mahalaya Amavasya: The Great Day for the Ancestors

The Bahula Paksha of the Bhadrapada month is called Mahalaya Paksha or Pitru Paksha, and its last day, Bhadrapada Amavasya, is Mahalaya Amavasya. It is the most important day of the year for offering tarpanam and shraddham to the ancestors. Devi Sharan Navaratri begins the very next day.

Puranic Background

According to the Mahabharata tradition, when the generous Karna reached heaven he was offered only gold and jewels as food. He learned that though he had given much in charity, he had never offered food and water to his ancestors. With Yama's permission he returned to earth for fifteen days to offer tarpanam and annadanam, and those days became the Mahalaya Paksha. It is believed that the ancestors await offerings from their descendants during this fortnight.

How to Offer Tarpanam

• Bathe early in the morning and wear clean clothes.
• Around midday, offer tarpanam with sesame seeds, darbha grass and water, remembering father, grandfather, great-grandfather and all known and unknown elders.
• Those who do not know an ancestor's death tithi, or could not perform shraddham during the fortnight, can do it today. This is why it is also called Sarva Pitru Amavasya.
• Perform shraddham with a purohit's help, or donate swayampakam (uncooked food items).
• Offer pindam or rice to crows and fodder to cows.
• Give food and clothes to those in need.

The Start of Bathukamma in Telangana

In Telangana, the nine-day Bathukamma festival begins on Mahalaya Amavasya with "Engili Pula Bathukamma". It is a special day that remembers the elders on one hand and welcomes Gauramma with flowers on the other. Devotees also gather on the banks of the Krishna and Godavari for holy dips and tarpanam.

Significance

The shastras say that tarpanam offered with sincerity on this day satisfies the ancestors, and their blessings bring growth to the family line and peace at home. As elders say, shraddham is whatever is done with shraddha (faith).

May the blessings of your ancestors always support your family.