Amavasya December 2026 — Margashirsha Amavasya 8 December
మార్గశీర్ష అమావాస్య డిసెంబర్ 2026 — మంగళవారం
Tithi begins 7 December 12:25 · ends 8 December 10:00 IST (Hyderabad)
Amavasya in December 2026 falls on Tuesday, 8 December 2026 — this is Margashirsha Amavasya, also called Bhaumavati Amavasya. Tithi begins 7 December 2026 at 12:25 IST and ends 8 December 2026 at 10:00 IST. Margashirsha Amavasya — known as Bhaumavati Amavasya when on Tuesday (Mars-Amavasya combination). Margashirsha month is associated with Krishna (Bhagavad Gita 10.35 — "Among months I am Margashirsha"). Reciting the Gita on this day carries special merit. Recommended observances: Bhagavad Gita reading (especially Chapter 10), Pitru Tarpana, Mangal/Hanuman worship, Krishna Ashtakshara mantra japa.
Margashirsha Amavasya — Exact Tithi Timings (IST)
| Event | Date | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|
| Tithi Begins | 7 December 2026 | 12:25 |
| Amavasya Day | Tuesday, 8 December 2026 | All-day observance |
| Tithi Ends | 8 December 2026 | 10:00 |
| Sunrise (Hyderabad) | 8 December 2026 | 06:35 |
Timings computed using Lahiri Ayanamsa Swiss Ephemeris for Hyderabad (17.385°N, 78.486°E). For exact local timings in other cities use our Today's Panchangam tool, location-aware.
Significance — Margashirsha Amavasya 2026
Margashirsha Amavasya — known as Bhaumavati Amavasya when on Tuesday (Mars-Amavasya combination). Margashirsha month is associated with Krishna (Bhagavad Gita 10.35 — "Among months I am Margashirsha"). Reciting the Gita on this day carries special merit.
Recommended Rituals — 8 December 2026
- Pre-dawn bath (Brahma Muhurtam, ~5:30 — 06:35): Bathe in cold water mixed with a few drops of Ganga jal or pure river water. Apply sesame oil to head if doing the full ritual.
- Sankalpa (Intention): Sit facing east. Hold rice + water in right palm. Mentally state: "On this Margashirsha Amavasya Tuesday, I perform tarpana for all known and unknown ancestors of my paternal and maternal lineages, for their satisfaction and liberation."
- Pitru Tarpana: Pour water mixed with black sesame seeds and barley flour, facing south, between the index finger and thumb. Repeat the mantra "Om Pitruvyay Namah" with each offering. Three times for father's line, three for mother's line, three for guru's line.
- Special Observance: Bhagavad Gita reading (especially Chapter 10), Pitru Tarpana, Mangal/Hanuman worship, Krishna Ashtakshara mantra japa.
- Donation (Daan): Black sesame, mustard oil, iron utensils, or warm clothing to a labourer or elderly person.
- Feed Crows & Cows: Cooked rice mixed with curd offered to a crow (messenger of ancestors) and to a cow.
- One-Meal Fast (Eka-bhukta): Take one satvik meal after sunset. No onion, garlic, non-veg, or alcohol.
- Evening Lamp: Light a sesame-oil lamp at sunset facing south. Burns until exhausted — symbolises light for ancestors.
Pitru Tarpana Mantra (Telugu + Sanskrit)
Recite 11 times during the morning observance window
ॐ देवताभ्यः पितृभ्यश्च महायोगिभ्य एव च । नमः स्वाहायै स्वधायै नित्यमेव नमो नमः ॥
Telugu: ఓం దేవతాభ్యః పితృభ్యశ్చ మహాయోగిభ్య ఏవ చ । నమః స్వాహాయై స్వధాయై నిత్యమేవ నమో నమః ॥
Transliteration: "Om Devatabhyah Pitribhyashcha Mahayogibhya Eva Cha · Namah Svahayai Svadhayai Nityamev Namo Namah"
All Amavasya Dates 2026
| Month | Date | Masa & Note | Page |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | Saturday, 16 May 2026 | Vaisakha · Shani Amavasya · Bhauma Amavasya | View → |
| June | Sunday, 14 June 2026 | Jyeshtha · Bhavuka Amavasya · Vat Savitri Vrat Amavasya | View → |
| July | Tuesday, 14 July 2026 | Ashada · Bhaumavati Amavasya · Halhari Amavasya | View → |
| August | Wednesday, 12 August 2026 | Shravana · Hariyali Amavasya · Chukka Amavasya | View → |
| September | Thursday, 10 September 2026 | Bhadrapada · Mahalaya Amavasya · Pitru Paksha closing | View → |
| October | Saturday, 10 October 2026 | Ashwina · Diwali Amavasya · Lakshmi Puja | View → |
| November | Sunday, 8 November 2026 | Kartika · Bhauma Amavasya · Pinda Daan Amavasya | View → |
| December | Tuesday, 8 December 2026 | Margashirsha · Bhaumavati Amavasya ✓ | (this page) |
View all 12 Amavasya dates of 2026 — main hub →
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Amavasya in December 2026?
What is Margashirsha Amavasya?
What rituals are performed on Margashirsha Amavasya 2026?
Can I do Tarpana at home or must I visit a tirtha?
What food restrictions apply on Margashirsha Amavasya?
Related Pages
Amavasya — Significance & Pitru Tarpana
Amavasya is the New Moon night — the 15th day of Krishna Paksha (waning fortnight) when the moon is invisible. In Vedic tradition, Amavasya is the most sacred time for performing Pitru Tarpana (ancestral rituals) — feeding the departed souls (pitrus). The Sun and Moon are in conjunction on this day, creating a thin gateway between the living and ancestral realms.
Pitru Tarpana — Standard Procedure
- Sankalpa: bathe early, face south, take water in palm with sesame seeds, kusha grass, and rice.
- Chant the names of ancestors in this order: father → grandfather → great-grandfather (paternal line, 3 generations); same for maternal grandfather → great-grandfather → great-great-grandfather (maternal, 3 generations).
- For each name, recite: "[Name] gotra [father's gotra] sharma trupyatam" (= "may [ancestor's name] be satisfied") and pour the water from your palm.
- Offer pinda (rice balls made of cooked rice + black sesame + ghee + barley) — three pindas, one for each generation.
- Donate food, clothing, or money to a Brahmin or to the poor in the ancestors' name.
- Avoid loud noises, arguments, and luxurious foods on Amavasya — keep the day quiet and reverent.
Special Amavasyas Through the Year
- Mauni Amavasya (Magha, Jan-Feb): observed in silence; sacred bath at confluences (Sangam, Triveni).
- Somavati Amavasya: any Amavasya falling on Monday — extra-sacred for Pitru Tarpana + married women's longevity vrat.
- Mahalaya Amavasya (Bhadrapada): conclusion of Pitru Paksha — the single most sacred Amavasya for ancestor worship.
- Diwali Amavasya (Kartika): used for Lakshmi Puja in evening (Pradosh Kaal) — the only Amavasya celebrated joyously.
- Shani Amavasya: any Amavasya falling on Saturday — sacred for Saturn worship and pariharas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Amavasya considered inauspicious for new beginnings?
Amavasya is the "darkest" night of the lunar month — both Sun and Moon are conjunct (no moonlight reflection). Traditional Vedic muhurat-shastra reserves this day for inward, reflective, ancestral, and protective practices rather than outward new beginnings (which favor Shukla Paksha — waxing moon). Marriage, gruhapravesh, and starting new ventures are typically avoided.
Can women perform Pitru Tarpana?
Yes — though the classical role of priest is male (eldest son traditionally), women can and do perform tarpana, especially when no male family member is available. The intent + ritual purity matter most. Many traditions encourage daughters and granddaughters to participate alongside.
What if I don't know my ancestors' exact names?
Simply chant "asmad pitru-gana trupyatam" ("may our ancestors be satisfied") with general devotion. The tarpana water and pindas reach all 14 generations of ancestors (7 paternal + 7 maternal) regardless of remembered names — per Garuda Purana.
Should I fast on Amavasya?
Not strictly required, but many observe a partial fast (one satvik meal after tarpana) to maintain ritual purity. Some observe full Amavasya vrat dedicated to Surya, Pitrus, or Shiva. Avoid non-vegetarian food, onion, garlic, and alcohol throughout the day.
→ See all 12 Amavasya dates for the year · → Pitru Paksha 2026 complete guide