Mahalaya Amavasya 2023: Date, Time, Rituals and Significance

Mahalaya 2023:Amavasya has a great religious and spiritual significance among Hindus. Mahalaya Amavasya is mainly dedicated to ancestors and forefathers. Mahalaya Amavasya is also called as Sarvapitri Amavasya, Pitra Moksha Amavasya or Pitru Amavasya. Mahalaya Amavasya is the last day of the 16-day long Shraddha rituals. This day also marks the beginning of Navratri festival and Durga Puja.This year, Mahalaya Amavasya is being observed on Amavasya Tithi during Ashwina Month i.e., today on October 14, 2023.
Mahalaya Amavasya 2023: Date and Time
Amavasya Tithi Begins - October 13, 2023 - 09:50 PM
Amavasya Tithi Ends - October 14, 2023 - 11:24 PM
Kutup Muhurat - October 14, 2023 - 11:09 AM to 11:56 AM
Rohina Muhurat - October 14, 2023 - 11:56 AM to 12:43 PM
Aparahna Kaal - October 14, 2023 - 12:43 PM to 03:04 PM
Mahalaya Amavasya 2023: Significance
Mahalaya Amavasya has an immense religious significance in Hindu religion. This day is observed to offer prayers to Pitru or ancestors. People perform various rituals during Pitru Paksha for the welfare and prosperity. It is believed that by performing Pitru Tarpan and Pind Daan on the last day of Pitru Paksha, ancestors get salvation and get free from the cycle of birth and death.
It is mentioned in the Hindu scriptures that if a person is unable to perform the shradha for their ancestors during the first 15 days or they forget the date of death anniversary, then ‘tarpan’ can be performed on the day of ‘Sarvapitra Moksha Amavasya’. It is the day when all the ancestors return to their loka, which is known as Pitru Loka and if people do not perform shardha on any day then they return unhappily and curse them that's why some people suffer from Pitra Dosha.
As per astrology, it is mentioned that if the ancestors commit any mistakes, it is reflected in their children’s horoscope as ‘Pitra Dosh’. That is the reason, they suffer from various problems and obstacles. These soul do not get salvation and wander for peace. That's why people are advised to perform Shradha, Pitru Tarpan, Pind Daan on the day of Amavasya so that their ancestirs can get salvation and place at Lord Vishnu's abode. Those who perform these rituals, their ancestors return to their Pitru Loka happily and bless their children with good health, wealth and prosperity.
Mahalaya Amavasya 2023: Rituals
1. Wake up early in the morning and take a holy bath.
2. Clean the house and offer Arghya to Surya.
3. Prepare sattvik food at home and invite a Female and Male Brahmin.
4. Make him sit on floor and perform Tarpan ritual.
5. Offer the food to cows, dogs, ants and crows before giving it to Brahmin.
4. After completing the rituals, male member of the family must offer food, clothes and dakshina to Brahmin.
5. Once the Brahmin bhoj is completed, all family members can eat the food.
Mahalaya Amavasya 2023: FAQs