Mahalaya Amavasya 2024: Date, Timing, Puja Rituals, History, Significance, and All You Need to Know
Mahalaya Amavasya 2024: Date, Timing, Puja Rituals, History, Significance, and All You Need to Know
Mahalaya Amavasya, also referred to as Sarvapitri Amavasya, Pitru Amavasya, or Pitra Moksha Amavasya, is an important Hindu festival observed to honor and remember one’s ancestors. Falling at the end of Pitru Paksha, this day holds deep spiritual and religious importance. Mahalaya Amavasya offers Hindus the final opportunity to perform Shradh, a ritual performed over the 16-day Pitru Paksha period to pay homage to deceased ancestors.
This sacred occasion not only symbolizes respect and gratitude towards forefathers but also marks the beginning of the festive season, particularly the arrival of Durga Puja, one of the most widely celebrated festivals in Hindu culture. Keep reading for all the details, including the date, timing, significance, and rituals associated with Mahalaya Amavasya in 2024.
Mahalaya Amavasya 2024: Date and Time
Mahalaya Amavasya in 2024 will be observed on Wednesday, October 2. As per the Drik Panchang, the auspicious timings for this day are as follows:
- Amavasya Tithi Begins:Â 09:39 PM on October 1, 2024
- Amavasya Tithi Ends:Â 12:18 AM on October 3, 2024
- Qutup Muhurta:Â 11:12 AM to 12:00 PM, October 2, 2024
- Rauhin Muhurta:Â 12:00 PM to 12:47 PM, October 2, 2024
- Madhyahna Time:Â 12:47 PM to 3:11 PM, October 2, 2024
Mahalaya Amavasya 2024: Significance
Mahalaya Amavasya, occurring in the Hindu month of Ashwina, is considered one of the most auspicious days for honoring ancestors. Also known as Sarva Pitri Amavasya, this day marks the conclusion of Pitru Paksha, a time when Hindus believe that their deceased ancestors, or Pitru, return to Pitru Loka. Performing rituals and prayers on this day is said to ensure the blessings of ancestors for happiness and well-being. It is believed that offering Shradh on this Amavasya ensures that ancestors receive their offerings before departing back to the realm of the forefathers.
Mahalaya Amavasya 2024: Puja Rituals
On Mahalaya Amavasya, the day begins with an early morning bath and house cleaning. Male family members invite Brahmins to the home, while the women prepare sattvik meals. Tarpan, a ritual offering of water, is performed by the men to honor their ancestors. Brahmins are served the sattvik food, symbolizing the feeding of ancestors, and after the meal, they are offered new clothes, shoes, and dakshina (a token of respect or donation). Their blessings are taken before the meal is offered to animals such as cows, dogs, and crows. Only after these offerings do the family members eat their meal.
The day is also considered ideal for acts of charity, and many women perform puja at the Peepal tree by offering a water mixture and lighting a diya for divine blessings.
