Mahalaya Amavasya 2025: Date, Time, Puja Rituals, Significance

Mahalaya Amavasya 2025 is not just a ritual, but a heartfelt day to honor our ancestors. By offering food, prayers, and kindness, we connect with our roots and invite peace into our lives.

Pitri Amavasya starts from this event in the festival and will stay up to Bijaya Dashami (The last day of Durga Puja)

Observing it with devotion and simplicity ensures blessings for the family and keeps ancestral traditions alive for future generations.

What is Mahalaya Amavasya?

Mahalaya Amavasya (also called Sarva Pitri Amavasya) is a significant day in Hindu tradition. It marks the last day of Pitri Paksha, the period when people remember and honor their ancestors. On this day, ancestors are believed to return to their realm (Pitru Loka).

What is Tarpan? Know it’s Significant

Tarpan is a sacred ritual performed on Mahalaya Amavasya to honor ancestors. In this ritual, water mixed with black sesame seeds, barley, or rice is offered while chanting prayers.

It is believed that through Tarpan, our ancestors receive peace and blessings, and in return, they shower prosperity, protection, and harmony on the family.

Mahalaya Amavasya 2025: Date, Time

Event	Date & Time
Amavasya begins	September 21, 2025 — 12:16 AM
Amavasya ends	September 22, 2025 — 01:23 AM
Kutup Muhurat	11:50 AM to 12:38 PM
Rohina Muhurat	12:38 PM to 01:27 PM
Aparahna Kaal	01:27 PM to 03:53 PM

Importance of Mahalaya Amavasya

• It is the final day to pay respects and perform rituals for ancestors in Pitru Paksha.

• The belief is that sincere rites bring blessings, good health, and peace for the ancestors.

• After the final rituals, the ancestors depart to their world, marking a spiritual farewell.

Read More: Durga Puja Date and Schedule – A Complete Guide

Common Rituals & Steps for this Event

Here’s what many families do on Mahalaya Amavasya:

1. Take a morning bath before starting rituals.

2. Clean the home and the prayer room.

3. Invite Brahmins (priests) to the house.

4. Women cook pure (sattvik) food for the Brahmins.

5. Perform tarpan (offering water) with help of a priest.

6. Serve food to the Brahmins.

7. Give them clothes, shoes, dakshina.

8. Touch their feet to seek blessings and bid farewell.

9. Don’t accompany them outside – it is considered inauspicious.

10. Feed cows, dogs, crows using the food reserved for them.

11. Only after all rituals, eat your own meal.

12. It’s also good to help the needy (children, elderly) with food, clothing, or money.

13. Many women worship the Peepal tree: pour water plus a little milk and sugar, light a ghee lamp under it.

Pro Tips for this Event

Purity matters: Use fresh, clean items (water, flowers, clothes). Avoid anything impure.

Offer in abundance: Offer more than minimal – it shows deeper devotion.

Mind your mindset: Focus on gratitude and love—not just on rituals.

Sharing stories: Ask your elders about your family’s ancestral stories. That deepens the connection.

Document memories: On this day, note names and dates of ancestors. Please keep it in a family record.

Safety & health: If elderly or ill, skip strenuous parts; do what you can with devotion.

Eco-friendly: Use biodegradable plates, avoid plastic, and use natural colors/flowers.

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