Mahalaya Amavasya holds a sacred place in the Hindu calendar it’s a day when the veil between the present and the past feels especially thin. In 2025, this holy Amavasya, which falls during Pitru Paksha, will be observed on September 21. The tithi (lunar day) will starts at 12:16 AM on September 21 and ends at 1:23 AM on September 22.

On this day, families perform ritual for departed loved ones Pitru Tarpan, Pind Daan, and other offerings to help souls find shanti or moksha. It’s a moment to remember, to heal, and to renew ties with those who are no longer physically present. Mahalaya Amavasya is also known by names like Sarva Pitri Amavasya, Pitra Moksha Amavasya, and Pitru Amavasya. It also marks the gateway to Navratri, a festival of rejuvenation and spiritual rebirth.

Rituals begin early: a holy bath, cleaning the home, and offering arghya to Lord Surya. Food prepared with purity (sattvik), feeding of animals like cows, dogs, ants, crows, and inviting Brahmins to the home are part of observances. A male family member often leads Pitru Tarpan, and later food, clothing, and dakshina (offerings) are given to priests. 

All offerings ideally conclude before partaking in the meal. The day carries both grief and gratitude: grief for those we miss, gratitude for lives lived, lessons learned. Through ritual, we seek blessings from ancestors, for ourselves, for future generations. In its essence, Mahalaya Amavasya is about letting go, honouring memory, and acknowledging that love can transcend time.