AllMandir

Mahalaya Amavasya 2012 Date — Monday, October 15, 2012

When is Mahalaya Amavasya in 2012? Mahalaya Amavasya 2012 falls on Monday, October 15, 2012.

Observance: Sarva Pitru Amavasya (Mahalaya). City calendars may vary slightly by sunrise and amanta or purnimanta tradition — confirm with your local mandir.

Mahalaya Amavasya 2012 — full list of dates

Mahalaya Amavasya 2012 key dates and days
ObservanceDate & dayNotes
Purnima Shraddha — Pitru Paksha beginsSun, 30 September 2012
Sarva Pitru Amavasya (Mahalaya)Mon, 15 October 2012Main day
Navratri begins — GhatasthapanaSun, 16 September 2012

Why we celebrate

Bhadrpad Amavasya — Mahalaya paksha ends; all ancestors are worshipped. Central to Pitru Paksha before Navratri.

How it is celebrated

Tarpan, shraddha, feeding brahmins and crows, Mahalaya chandi path in Bengal.

Puja timing

Shraddha in aparahna (afternoon) after tarpan; avoid Rahu kaal.

Foods & offerings

Pinda daan, kheer, rice, sesame; vegetarian only.

Rituals

  1. Wake early, bathe, and offer tarpan to ancestors (pitru) if it is a pitru-related Amavasya.
  2. Light sesame oil lamp; offer water (tarpan) facing south with black sesame if doing shraddha.
  3. Visit Shiva or Vishnu temple; Amavasya is sacred to both.
  4. Charity of food, clothes, or sesame to the needy.
  5. Avoid starting major new ventures; focus on introspection and pitru seva.
  6. Evening deepam and simple sattvic meal after puja if not fully fasting.

Mahalaya Amavasya dates by year

When is Mahalaya Amavasya — 2011 to 2015
YearDate & day
2011Tue, 27 September 2011
2012Mon, 15 October 2012
2013Fri, 4 October 2013
2014Wed, 24 September 2014
2015Mon, 12 October 2015

Hindu festivals around Mahalaya Amavasya 2012