Tithi 30rikta
Amavasya
अमावस्या
Presiding deity: Pitru Devas (Ancestors) / Kali
Tithi Mantra
ॐ पितृदेवाय नमः
Om Pitru Devaya Namah
Shukla Paksha (waxing)
N/A — Amavasya is the last krishna tithi only.
Krishna Paksha (waning)
New moon — sacred for ancestor (pitru) worship, Shraddha rituals. Mahalaya Amavasya (Krishna of Bhadrapada/Ashwin) = peak Pitru Paksha. Diwali Amavasya = Lakshmi-Ganesh puja at night.
Best for
- + Pitru tarpan
- + Shraddha karma
- + Kali worship
- + Tantric sadhana
- + Charity to brahmins
- + Lighting evening lamps
Avoid for
- - Marriage
- - House warming
- - Travel
- - New ventures
Fasting tradition
Pitru-tarpan on river bank with til + water + black sesame; offer pinda-dan if observing Shraddha; Diwali Amavasya = Lakshmi puja at pradosh + midnight Kali puja (Bengal).
Major festivals on this tithi
Diwali (Kartik Amavasya), Mahalaya Amavasya, Mauni Amavasya (Magha), Somavati Amavasya (when on Monday), Bhaumvati Amavasya (when on Tuesday)