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Amavasya May 2026 — Vaisakha Amavasya 16 May

వైశాఖ అమావాస్య మే 2026 — శనివారం

Tithi begins 15 May 16:01 · ends 16 May 17:02 IST (Hyderabad)

Amavasya in May 2026 falls on Saturday, 16 May 2026 — this is Vaisakha Amavasya, also called Shani Amavasya / Bhauma Amavasya. Tithi begins 15 May 2026 at 16:01 IST and ends 16 May 2026 at 17:02 IST. Vaisakha Amavasya combined with Saturday (Shani Amavasya). Considered especially potent for Pitru Tarpana and Saturn-related remedies. Sade Sati and Shani Dhaiya natives particularly benefit from observances on this day. Recommended observances: Pitru Tarpana before noon, Shani worship, mustard oil donation, satvik fast.

Reviewed by Pandit Ramachandra Sharma, Vedic Astrologer & Panchangam Scholar · Updated 2026-05-30

Vaisakha Amavasya — Exact Tithi Timings (IST)

EventDateTime (IST)
Tithi Begins15 May 202616:01
Amavasya DaySaturday, 16 May 2026All-day observance
Tithi Ends16 May 202617:02
Sunrise (Hyderabad)16 May 202605:48

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 — Vaisakha Amavasya 2026

Vaisakha Amavasya combined with Saturday (Shani Amavasya). Considered especially potent for Pitru Tarpana and Saturn-related remedies. Sade Sati and Shani Dhaiya natives particularly benefit from observances on this day.

Why Shani Amavasya is Particularly Powerful

When Amavasya falls on a Saturday, it is classically called Shani Amavasya. The combination of Saturn's day with the new moon is considered one of the most karmically dense windows of the year. The intersection amplifies effects on:

Recommended Rituals — 16 May 2026

  1. Pre-dawn bath (Brahma Muhurtam, ~4:30 — 05:48): 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.
  2. Sankalpa (Intention): Sit facing east. Hold rice + water in right palm. Mentally state: "On this Vaisakha Amavasya Saturday, I perform tarpana for all known and unknown ancestors of my paternal and maternal lineages, for their satisfaction and liberation."
  3. 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.
  4. Special Observance: Pitru Tarpana before noon, Shani worship, mustard oil donation, satvik fast.
  5. Donation (Daan): Black sesame, mustard oil, iron utensils, or warm clothing to a labourer or elderly person.
  6. Feed Crows & Cows: Cooked rice mixed with curd offered to a crow (messenger of ancestors) and to a cow.
  7. One-Meal Fast (Eka-bhukta): Take one satvik meal after sunset. No onion, garlic, non-veg, or alcohol.
  8. 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

MonthDateMasa & NotePage
MaySaturday, 16 May 2026Vaisakha · Shani Amavasya · Bhauma Amavasya ✓(this page)
JuneSunday, 14 June 2026Jyeshtha · Bhavuka Amavasya · Vat Savitri Vrat AmavasyaView →
JulyTuesday, 14 July 2026Ashada · Bhaumavati Amavasya · Halhari AmavasyaView →
AugustWednesday, 12 August 2026Shravana · Hariyali Amavasya · Chukka AmavasyaView →
SeptemberThursday, 10 September 2026Bhadrapada · Mahalaya Amavasya · Pitru Paksha closingView →
OctoberSaturday, 10 October 2026Ashwina · Diwali Amavasya · Lakshmi PujaView →
NovemberSunday, 8 November 2026Kartika · Bhauma Amavasya · Pinda Daan AmavasyaView →
DecemberTuesday, 8 December 2026Margashirsha · Bhaumavati AmavasyaView →

View all 12 Amavasya dates of 2026 — main hub →

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Amavasya in May 2026?
Amavasya in May 2026 falls on Saturday, 16 May 2026. This is Vaisakha Amavasya — the new moon day of the lunar month of Vaisakha. Tithi begins on 15 May 2026 at 16:01 IST and ends on 16 May 2026 at 17:02 IST (Hyderabad, India). Rituals are performed when the tithi is active during sunrise.
What is Vaisakha Amavasya?
Vaisakha Amavasya is the new moon day of the Vaisakha month in the Hindu lunar calendar. Vaisakha Amavasya combined with Saturday (Shani Amavasya). Considered especially potent for Pitru Tarpana and Saturn-related remedies. Sade Sati and Shani Dhaiya natives particularly benefit from observances on this day.
What rituals are performed on Vaisakha Amavasya 2026?
Pitru Tarpana before noon, Shani worship, mustard oil donation, satvik fast. Additional traditional observances: (1) pre-dawn sacred bath; (2) sankalpa (intention statement) facing east; (3) Pitru Tarpana with sesame seeds and barley flour; (4) one-meal satvik fast (eka-bhukta); (5) feeding crows and brahmins; (6) sesame-oil lamp at dusk facing south.
Why does Saturday Amavasya (Shani Amavasya) have special significance?
When Amavasya falls on a Saturday it is called Shani Amavasya — combining Saturn's energy with the dark moon phase. Shani Amavasya is considered especially powerful for pacifying ancestral karma (Pitru Dosha) and Saturn-related afflictions. Shani worship, mustard oil donation, and feeding poor labourers are recommended. Sade Sati and Shani Dhaiya natives especially benefit from observances on this day.
Can I do Tarpana at home or must I visit a tirtha?
Tarpana can be performed at home with proper sankalpa (intention statement). However, performing Tarpana at a tirtha (sacred water body) is traditionally considered more efficacious. Major Amavasya tirtha destinations include Varanasi, Gaya, Allahabad (Prayagraj), Pushkar, Rameshwaram, and Srivanchiyam. Home tarpana is fully valid when no travel is possible — intention and procedure matter more than location.
What food restrictions apply on Vaisakha Amavasya?
Observers traditionally take only one satvik meal after sunset. Avoid onion, garlic, fenugreek, grains other than barley, and all non-vegetarian food. Permitted: rice, milk products, fruits, root vegetables (potato, sweet potato), sesame, barley, and water mixed with cow milk. Many strict observers fast the entire day, breaking with rice and milk at moonrise (which on Amavasya is invisible).

Related Pages

Important disclaimer: Tithi timings are computed using Lahiri Ayanamsa Swiss Ephemeris for Hyderabad. For exact local timings in other cities, use our location-aware Today's Panchangam tool. Ritual recommendations are drawn from classical sources (Garuda Purana, Brahma Purana) and traditional family practice. Consult a qualified Vaidika or family priest for personalised ritual guidance.

తెలుగు పంచాంగం 2026 — Quick Links to Calendar, Mantras, Pilgrimage & Spiritual Content