Sarva Pitru Amavasya is also known as Mahalaya Amavasya. It holds immense spiritual and cultural importance in the Hindu tradition. This year, it is observed on September 21, marking the concluding day of Pitru Paksha. It is a 15-day period dedicated to honour and remember ancestors. This day is believed to offer an opportunity for families who may have missed performing Shradh rituals on specific tithis to pay their respects collectively.
What is Sarva Pitru Amavasya?
The word Sarva Pitru Amavasya translates to “the new moon day for all ancestors.” According to Hindu belief, ancestors descend to the earth during Pitru Paksha and bless their descendants when offered rituals with sincerity. Performing tarpan (water offerings), pind daan (offering rice balls with sesame), and Shraddha rituals on this day is said to bring peace to the souls of forefathers and ensure prosperity and harmony within the family.
Sarva Pitru Amavasya | X/ Damini Singh
Significance
The day also holds astrological significance, as Amavasya is considered powerful for spiritual practices, meditation, and acts of charity. On this day devotees often donate food, clothes, or money to Brahmins, the poor, and the needy as a way of expressing gratitude and continuing the cycle of giving. Feeding animals, especially cows, dogs, and crows, is also considered auspicious as it symbolises offering food to the ancestors.
A homage to ancestors
Sarva Pitru Amavasya is not just a ritual but a reminder of the deep-rooted Indian tradition of Pitru Tarpan, where remembering one’s lineage and paying homage strengthens the bond between the past and the present. Families gather at rivers, lakes, and sacred ghats across India, including Gaya, Varanasi, and Haridwar, to perform the ceremonies.
Thus, Sarva Pitru Amavasya 2025 will serve as a day of remembrance, gratitude, and spiritual connection, honouring the ancestors who continue to guide and bless future generations.
