The Amavasya in Ashwin month is called Ashwin Amavasya. According to Hindu Panchang, it is the last day for Shradh Karma. The ritual of Tarpan too ends on this day. This Ashwin Amavasya of Krishna Paksha is called by different names, like – Sarva Pitra Amavasya, Pitra Visarjani or Mahalaya Amavasya. On this day, Shradh Paksha ends and our ancestors return back to their Loka after being appeased.
Shradh is our respect and love towards our ancestors. It’s importance can be seen from the old times to the present. If we understand the synergy of spiritual and scientific nature about Shradh, then we are way ahead.
The Shradh Karya ends with Ashwin Amavasya and after that Ashwin Navratri starts. These Navratris are also called Shardiya Navratri. That’s why those who worship Goddess Durga perform special Anushthans on the night of Ashwin Amavasya.
Ashwin Amavasya Muhurat
This year Ashwin Amavasya will be celebrated on 02 October 2024. This day is very important for Pitra Pujan. On this day, Pitra Puja of all our ancestors is carried out, irrespective of the Tithi. The Anushthan done on this day appeases all the ancestors. That’s why it is called Sarva Pitra Visarjani Amavasya or Mahalaya Amavasya.
Amavasya starts – 01 October 2024, 21:40.
Amavasya ends – 02 October 2024, 24:19.
Shradha Karya depicts our respect and love towards ancestors. If someone wants to express love towards someone even after they are lost, then perhaps performing the Shradh rituals is the best way. It is one of the purest forms of Karma which keeps the cycle of life running even after death.
Time from Ashwin Krishna Pratipada to Ashwin Amavasya
In Hindu Panchang and scriptures, Ashwin Amavasya is considered very important. Shradh Karya starts from the Krishna Paksha Pratipada of Ashwin month and continues till Amavasya. On this day, one performs Tarpan for all those family members who died due to some or the other reason.
Different forms of Shradha
As per the Garuda Purana and Bhavishya Purana there are twelve types of Shradha. They are as follows. Among these there are two types of Shradhas. There are the Nitya Shradha which are done daily and then there are Naimaitik Shradhas which are done on the Tithi of the year when a near one has expired.
There are more types of Shradha which are:
Kamya Shradha –
They are performed to fulfill a particular wish.
Nandi Shradha –
They are performed at the time of auspicious work.
Parvana Shradha –
They are performed on Pitra Paksha, Amavasya and Tithi.
Sapindan Shradha –
Trivarshik Shradha – They are associated with Pitra Pind or Preta Pind.
Goshti Shradha –
The Shradha performed in a particular family or community.
Shudhyartha Shradha –
They are performed for Shuddhi. All the sins are destroyed and one receives mental and physical purity.
Karmang Shradha –
This Shradha performed under Solah Sanskar.
Daivik Shradha –
They are performed in the name of Devas. These represent our respect for them.
Yatrartha Shradha –
They are performed at religious places.
Pushtyartha Shradha –
This Shradha is performed for the happiness of family seeking blessings that no hindrance should come to the family and the family members are bestowed with the opportunities for welfare and progress in life. Offering meals and donations to the Brahmins on this day gives satisfaction to the ancestors and they bless their future generations.
Donate following things on this day
On Ashwin Amavasya, during Shradha Karya sesame seeds should be donated. Black sesame seeds calm the departed souls of our ancestors. The entire Shradha Karya is dedicated to ancestors. When ancestors are appeased they bless us with happiness.’
Donating milk and Ghee in this time is considered auspicious, especially cow milk and Ghee are donated to a poor or needy Brahmin to please the ancestors.
Donating grains also is considered auspicious, be it raw or cooked. Offering meals to Brahmins and the poor is considered Maha Daan. Such charity satisfies our ancestors.
During these days, clothes too are donated. It is believed that donating clothes in the name of ancestors makes them happy.
Donating fruits is considered beneficial. Fruits should be donated for 16 days continuously. If it is not possible to donate on all days, then they can be donated either on the Amavasya Tithi or on the Tithi when the ancestors expired.
Perform these rituals on Ashwin Amavasya
The devotee should bathe in a river, reservoir or Kund on the day of Ashwin Amavasya. If it is not possible, then bathing at home is also recommended. After that, Arghya should be offered to the ancestors.
Pitra Pujan is performed on Ashwin Amavasya. This Pujan should be performed by a capable Brahmin. If a Brahmin is not available then one can perform the Puja on his own.
On Ashwin Amavasya, the Shardha of those ancestors is also performed whose date of death is not available. That’s why it is called Sarva Pitra Shradha.