What is Amavasya?
Amavasya is the no-moon (new moon) night — the 15th tithi of the waning (Krishna) fortnight, when the Moon and Sun share the same longitude. It is observed for ancestral rites (Shraddha, Tarpan), Pitru worship and quiet spiritual practice, and is traditionally avoided for starting new ventures.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Amavasya?
- Amavasya is the no-moon (new moon) night — the 15th tithi of the waning (Krishna) fortnight, when the Moon and Sun share the same longitude. It is observed for ancestral rites (Shraddha, Tarpan), Pitru worship and quiet spiritual practice, and is traditionally avoided for starting new ventures.
- How are the Amavasya dates calculated?
- Each date is the day on which Amavasya (the new moon tithi) prevails at sunrise — the classical udaya-tithi rule. We find the exact new moon instant from a real astronomical ephemeris and then pick the correct calendar date, computed at the Ujjain reference. Nothing is approximated by a generic table.
- How many Amavasya days are there in a year?
- There are usually 12 — one in each lunar month — and occasionally 13 in a year with an extra (adhika) month.
- What is done on Amavasya?
- Amavasya is mainly for honouring ancestors — Shraddha, Tarpan and Pitru Paksha rites — and for meditation. Major new-beginnings are usually avoided, though some tantric and Lakshmi rituals (e.g. Diwali on Kartik Amavasya) fall on it.