Mahalaya Amavas

Mahalaya Amavas

Every moment, everything around us is a gift. The intelligence with which we live our lives,
the knowledge to read, the knowhow of everything possible is but a gift. This very life that 
we live, is a gift. A gift from the ones who were before us. All those great men and women, 
who contributed for us being here.

Be it science or the mystery of creation, human life changed the day man decided to live
together. To give up his wanderings and to settle in a place called home. When emotions 
like love, harmony, trust and respect found their place and a family was made. The family ,
that we are proud of. The heritage that we take pride in - each of it is a gift. One we have to be
eternally grateful for. The ancestors are the foundation of who we are, they are of us, and they 
once were where we are now

Mahalaya Amavasya, the new moon falling in the Hindu Month of Bhadraprada is one such
occasion where homage is paid to our ancestors. Those because of whom we are. This is a day 
to feel humbled, for we would be nothing if not for them. We might reach great heights in life, 
but it is the ancestors we have to forever bow our heads for in gratitude.

Mythological Significance

According to the legend, Karna the hero from Mahabharata was very generous. After his death
when his soul reached heaven he was offered thousand folds more gold and silver in return of 
the charity he had done on Earth. However, he was never offered food. When he asked lord 
Yama the reason, he was told that he would be given whatever he had donated on earth. So he 
prayed to lord Yama and was granted life for 14 more days. During these 14 days he went to 
earth and fed the poor and offered oblations of water. Thus these 14 days came to be known 
as Mahalaya Paksha or Pitru Paksha.

Method of Observing Mahalaya Amavas

It is believed in Hindu tradition that when a person is born, he is born with three debts-

• Deva Rina (debt towards god)
• Acharya Rina (debt towards Guru)
• Pitru Rina( debt towards forefathers and elders)

The Pitru Paksha is for remembering the departed ancestors and performing certain rites to clear the 

Pitru Rina and ensure their salvation(moksha)and our wellbeing.

"Pitru" means ancestors and "Paksha" means lunar period. The fifteen days of the dark fortnight 

(krishna paksha) of the month of Bhadrapada (according to the lunar calendar) or the month of
Ashwin (according to the solar calendar) is considered Pitru Paksha- an ideal period for 
performing Pindadaan,Sharaddh and Tarpan for the forefathers.

The legend underlying the choice of this particular fortnight has its origin in the epic Mahabharata. 
The Mahalaya paksha are these fourteen days that Karna spent on earth and because of this, the 
God of Death, ordained that the offerings that he made on the last fourteen days would not only 
benefit him but all the departed souls immaterial of them being related to you or not. And the most 
important day is the last day or the fourteenth day, which is Mahalaya Amavasya and this is the 
day when Hindus offer food, obsequies and oblations for the departed souls. It is the Pitr paksha 
and is important for all the Hindus.

Since Amavasyas are usually the days when Hindus offer obsequies and food for departed souls,
these days are considered inauspicious. Whereas Mahalaya amavasya is the day when Hindus 
offer Shraddha, which is considered auspicious and gratifying.   On this day there is a conjunction 
of the sun and the moon and the Sun enters the Kanya rashi (Virgo). And it is said that the 
ancestors descend on earth to accept the rites from their descendents and this is the significance 
of this day. On these days, Hindus do not eat non-veg, onions or garlic 

and spend the day reciting hymns and prayers. Other Amavasya days are also sombre days and
there are no festivities attached to it. Since these days are usually meant for remembering our 
ancestors or elders who are no more, there is a certain amount of mourning attached to it.  

There needs to be no reason to help the needy, to feed the poor or to remember our ancestors.
Mahalaya Amavas is another occasion , where you are reminded to help those not as fortunate 
as you are and to offer prayers and remembrance to those who are long departed. Reflect on their 
lives, reflect on your.s Contemplate on all that they did for you , and realize the potential of all that 
you can do for your future generations. For this life that we have is a gift that we have received , 
and a gift that we must share.

Prayer to the Ancestors

"To all those whose names are remembered [list all the names of the ancestors as far back as you
can remember].  To all those whose names are forgotten, lost in the oceans of time.  To all those 
whose bones are buried in and upon the earth.  To all those whose ashes are scattered to the four 
winds.  To you, from the living.  May the Divine Assistance remain always with us, and may the 
souls of the Faithful Departed, through the Mercy of God, rest in peace.  "

Blessed be