Mahalaya Amavasya (Sarva Pitru)
महालय अमावास्या (सर्वपितृ मोक्ष)
Presiding deityPitru Devatas & Lord Yama
Significance & Spiritual Essence
The culmination of Pitru Paksha fortnight; supreme day for offering Tila Tarpana, Pinda Dana, and Shraddha to liberate all known and unknown departed ancestors.
Dharmaśāstra Astronomical Determination (Nirṇaya)
Authentic Classical RuleScriptural Injunction:
“Observed on Bhadrapada/Ashvina Amavasya overlapping Aparahna Kala (afternoon period, Kutapa Muhurta).”
No classical authority is recorded for this determination in our catalogue.
Kāla Vyāpti Principle: Vedic festivals are not determined solely by Gregorian dates or standard civil calendar days — the tithi or nakshatra must prevail during its designated Kāla (time portion of the solar day).
For Mahalaya Amavasya (Sarva Pitru), worship and vrata rituals are specifically anchored to the Aparahna window.
Vrata Discipline & Fasting Injunctions (Niyama)
ॐ पितृभ्यो नमः । सर्वपितृभ्यो नमः । तृप्यन्तु सर्वपितरः ॥
Auspicious Dāna (Charity & Offerings)
Dāna given on sacred tithis yields multi-fold spiritual merit (Punya):
Ritual & Calculation Tools
Classical Authorities
- Garuda Purana
- Dharma Sindhu
- Nirṇaya Sindhu