Why is Mahalaya Amavasya significant?

Sarva Pitru Amavasya is celebrated every year on Krishna Paksha Amavasya in the month of Bhadrapada. It is also known as Bhadrapada Amavasya and Mahalaya Amavasya. The date of Sarva Pitru Amavasya is very important in Pitru Paksha because on this day Shraddha, Tarpana, Pindaana etc. are done to all the ancestors whose dates are known and unknown. Let us know about Mahalaya Amavasya 2023 auspicious time, worship method and significance.

When is Mahalaya Amavasya?

According to the Vedic Almanac, the Bhadrapada Krishna Amavasya date this year(2023) will start at 09.50 PM on Friday, October 13 and end at 11.24 PM on Saturday, October 14. This year Mahalaya Amavasya will be celebrated on Saturday 14th October as per Udaya Tithi. This new moon is also known as Shani Amavasya.

Mahalaya Amavasya 2023 Shraddha time 

On October 14, the day of Sarva Pitru Amavasya, the Shraddha of ancestors starts from 11.44 am and lasts till 03.35 pm. It includes all the three Kutupa Muhurta, Rohini Muhurta and Aparhana kala. On Mahalaya Amavasya, Kuthupa Muhurta lasts for 46 minutes, Rohini Muhurta lasts for 46 minutes and Apparah time lasts for 02 hours and 18 minutes.

Significance of Mahalaya Amavasya 

Among the 16 dates of Pitru Paksha, Sarva Pitru Amavasya has special significance because on this day you can perform Shraddha, Tarpan etc. of all ancestors. If you don't know about your ancestors and don't know their death date, you can do Tarpana, Pindaana, Brahmin festival, Panchabali Karma, Shraddha etc. for all of them on Sarva Pitru Amavasya day. In this you can also perform Shraddha of parents. However, on the date of Navami Shraddha, Shraddha of all ancestors is done.

Holy bath on Mahalaya Amavasya 

One should bathe in the morning on Mahalaya Amavasya. On this day, after bathing in holy rivers, offer water, sesame and white flowers to your ancestors. During Tarpana, wear the sacred thread of Kush. After that, donate white cloth, rice, fruits, money etc. to appease the ancestors. Give your best Dakshina. If money cannot be given, utensils can be given as Dakshina.

Mahalaya and Shani Amavasya Puja method 

1. - Take a bath in the holy river before sunrise on Shani Amavasya. After bathing, take holy water in a copper pot, mix akshata and flowers in it and offer it to Sun God. After that, perform tarpana and shraddha rituals at an auspicious time for the ancestors.
2. - After this worship the blooming tree and light the ghee lamp. Then meditate on the ancestors and offer black sesame seeds, sugar, rice and flowers to the blooming tree and chant the mantra Om Pitrubhyo Namah. This method of worship is very fruitful for getting ancestral peace and getting rid of Shani Dosha.
3. - Offer mustard oil and black sesame seeds to Lord Shani on Shani Amavasya. Now chant Om Sham Shanaishcharaya Namah Mantra 108 times. It reduces the inauspicious effects of Shani Saade Sati and Dhaiya. Mandatory chanting of Shani Chalisa on this day to get good results from Shani.