Mahalaya (Sarva Pitru) Amavasya Rituals

This is a particularly important day to offer prayers for all your ancestors, including those whose names or dates of passing are unknown, and those for whom you could not perform ancestral rituals earlier.

On this sacred occasion, we are performing a special Pitru Homa at the Kalabhairav Temple in Kashi, Varanasi, with prayers for ancestral peace, Pitru Dosha Shanti and blessings for your entire family lineage.

Rituals to Perform on Mahalaya Amavasya

1. Begin Your Day by Offering Arghya to the Sun

Begin your morning with an offering of water to the Sun, known as Surya Arghya.

On Mahalaya Amavasya, you can make this offering with gratitude for the life you have received and the generations who made it possible. You can listen to the Aditya Hrudayam while doing it.

2. Perform Shraddha and Tarpanam

Shraddha and Tarpanam are traditional ancestral rites offered with faith, remembrance and gratitude.

Mahalaya Amavasya is especially significant when an ancestor’s death tithi is unknown or when you were unable to perform the appropriate ancestral observance earlier.

Follow your family tradition and your priest’s guidance for these rituals. Shraddha and Tarpanam should be arranged according to the appropriate daytime ritual timings; our special Pitru Homa begins at 8 PM IST.

For those wishing to make an ancestral offering in Kashi, you can choose Special Pinda Daan and Tarpanam on the banks of the Ganga, offered separately from the Homa.

3. Donate Food and Offer Seva in Your Ancestors’ Names

Let your gratitude become an act of kindness.

Feeding people and supporting those in need are meaningful ways to honor your ancestors during Pitru Paksha.

On Mahalaya Amavasya, dedicate your donation to the memory of your departed loved ones, with prayers for their peace and well-being.

4. Meditate, Chant and Remember Your Ancestors

Set aside some quiet time on Mahalaya Amavasya.

Meditate, remember your departed loved ones and offer gratitude for what you have received through them. You do not need to know every ancestor’s name to remember your lineage with love.

After meditation, offer a heartfelt prayer:

Om Matrubhyo Namaha

Om Pitrubhyo Namaha

5. Participate in the Special Pitru Homa at Kalabhairav Temple, Kashi

This Homa is an opportunity to offer prayers for peace across your maternal and paternal lineages and relieve ancestral karma.

These prayers will be offered at the Kalabhairav Temple in Kashi.

Lord Kalabhairav is revered as the guardian of Kashi. In the Kalabhairava Ashtakam, he is praised as “Karma Pasha Mochakam” – the one who releases us from the bonds of karma.