A family in Chennai had been waiting for a year to perform their grandfather’s Shradh — his tithi was in September. When the day finally arrived, they discovered they had been observing it one day early every year. Their pandit explained: Amavasya Tithi changes each year and must be checked against the current year’s Panchang, not repeated from memory. This guide gives you every Amavasya in 2026 — verified, dated, timed.
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💡 Quick Answer: There are 13 Amavasya in 2026 due to Adhik Maas. Next upcoming: June 14, 2026 (Sunday) — Adhik Jyeshtha Amavasya. Most important: Mahalaya Amavasya October 10 (Sarva Pitru — Pitru Paksha ends), Kartika Amavasya November 8 (Diwali). All timings based on IST — New Delhi.
⚡ 2026 Special: Due to Adhik Maas, this year has 13 Amavasya instead of the usual 12. The extra Adhik Jyeshtha Amavasya on June 14 is considered highly meritorious for Pitru Tarpan and charity. Additionally, Shani Amavasya falls on October 10 (Mahalaya) — a rare and powerful combination.
Amavasya 2026 — Quick Calendar (All 13 Dates)
| Month | Amavasya Name | Date | Day | Special |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Magha / Mauni Amavasya | 18 Jan 2026 | Sunday | Silent fast (Maun Vrat) |
| February | Phalguna Amavasya | 17 Feb 2026 | Tuesday | — |
| March | Chaitra Amavasya | 18 Mar 2026 | Wednesday | — |
| April | Vaishakha Amavasya | 17 Apr 2026 | Friday | — |
| May | Jyeshtha / Shani Amavasya | 16 May 2026 | Saturday | Shani Amavasya 🪐 |
| June | Adhik Jyeshtha Amavasya | 14 Jun 2026 | Sunday | Adhik Maas — extra merit |
| July | Ashadha Amavasya | 14 Jul 2026 | Tuesday | — |
| August | Shravana Amavasya | 12 Aug 2026 | Wednesday | — |
| September | Bhadrapada Amavasya | 11 Sep 2026 | Friday | Pitru Paksha begins |
| October | Ashwin / Mahalaya Amavasya | 10 Oct 2026 | Saturday | Sarva Pitru + Shani 🔥 |
| November | Kartika Amavasya — DIWALI | 8 Nov 2026 | Sunday | DIWALI 🪔 |
| December | Margashirsha Amavasya | 8 Dec 2026 | Tuesday | — |
Source: Hindu Panchang 2026 — IST (New Delhi). Timings may vary ±1 day by city.
The 4 Most Important Amavasya in 2026
1. 🕉️ Mauni Amavasya — January 18, 2026 (Sunday)
The first major Amavasya of the year — observed with silence (Maun Vrat) and holy river baths.
| Detail | Timing |
|---|---|
| Tithi Starts | January 18, 12:03 AM |
| Tithi Ends | January 19, 1:21 AM |
| Fasting Day | January 18, 2026 (Sunday) |
Significance: Mauni Amavasya falls during Magh month — considered extremely auspicious for Ganga snan at Prayagraj (Triveni Sangam), Haridwar and Varanasi. Millions observe complete silence throughout the day. Pitru Tarpan on this day is highly meritorious.
2. 🪐 Shani Amavasya — May 16, 2026 (Saturday)
When Amavasya falls on Saturday, it becomes Shani Amavasya — especially powerful for removing Shani-related doshas.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | May 16, 2026 (Saturday) |
| Significance | Saturn (Shani) worship — removes Sade Sati effects |
| Best For | Offering oil (tel) and black sesame to Shani Dev |
| Temple | Visit Shani Shingnapur, Sani Koil temples on this day |
3. 🔥 Mahalaya Amavasya — October 10, 2026 (Saturday)
The most important Amavasya of the entire year for ancestor worship.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | October 10, 2026 (Saturday) |
| Also Called | Sarva Pitru Amavasya, Pitru Moksha Amavasya |
| Pitru Paksha | September 11 to October 10, 2026 |
| Special 2026 | Falls on Saturday = Shani Amavasya too — double merit |
Significance: Mahalaya Amavasya is the last day of Pitru Paksha (16-day Shradh period). Tarpan performed on this day benefits all ancestors regardless of their tithi of death — called Sarva Pitru (all ancestors) Amavasya. In West Bengal, this day marks the dawn of Durga Puja festivities — Mahalaya is celebrated with the recitation of Mahishasura Mardini at dawn.
4. 🪔 Kartika Amavasya — DIWALI — November 8, 2026 (Sunday)
Diwali is celebrated on the Amavasya of Kartika month — the darkest night transformed by millions of lamps.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Diwali Date | November 8, 2026 (Sunday) |
| Lakshmi Puja Muhurat | Check local Panchang — evening after sunset |
| Significance | Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped for wealth and prosperity |
| Special | Lighting diyas on the darkest night — symbolizes victory of light |
Complete Month-wise Significance
| Amavasya | Date | Key Ritual / Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Mauni Amavasya | Jan 18 | Silence vrat + Ganga snan — Magh Mela |
| Phalguna Amavasya | Feb 17 | Shiv puja — Holi preparation begins |
| Chaitra Amavasya | Mar 18 | New Hindu year begins after Chaitra |
| Vaishakha Amavasya | Apr 17 | Pitru Tarpan in ponds and rivers |
| Shani Amavasya | May 16 | Shani Dev puja — Sade Sati relief |
| Adhik Maas Amavasya | Jun 14 | Extra merit — charity, Tarpan |
| Ashadha Amavasya | Jul 14 | Chaturmas period — Tarpan for ancestors |
| Shravana Amavasya | Aug 12 | Somvar + Shravana — Shiv worship |
| Bhadrapada Amavasya | Sep 11 | Pitru Paksha begins |
| Mahalaya Amavasya | Oct 10 | Sarva Pitru Tarpan + Shani Amavasya |
| Kartika Amavasya | Nov 8 | DIWALI — Lakshmi Puja |
| Margashirsha Amavasya | Dec 8 | Satyanarayana Puja, charity |
Pitru Paksha 2026 — Shradh Dates
Pitru Paksha runs from September 11 to October 10, 2026 — the 16-day period for ancestral rites.
| Detail | Date |
|---|---|
| Pitru Paksha Starts | September 11, 2026 (Bhadrapada Amavasya) |
| Pitru Paksha Ends | October 10, 2026 (Mahalaya Amavasya) |
| Sarva Pitru Amavasya | October 10, 2026 |
Important: Perform Shradh on your ancestor’s death tithi during Pitru Paksha. If you don’t know the tithi, perform Tarpan on Mahalaya Amavasya (October 10) — it covers all ancestors.
Somvati & Shani Amavasya — Special Days
| Type | When Amavasya falls on | 2026 Date | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somvati Amavasya | Monday | None in 2026 | Married women’s vrat for husband’s long life |
| Shani Amavasya | Saturday | May 16 + Oct 10 | Shani dosha relief — two in 2026! |
| Adhik Maas Amavasya | Extra lunar month | June 14 | Multiplied merit — once in ~32 months |
Pitru Tarpan — How to Perform on Amavasya
Step 1 — Wake up early, take bath before sunrise. Step 2 — Wear clean white or off-white clothes. Step 3 — Go to a river, pond or perform at home with a clean vessel. Step 4 — Face south (direction of ancestors — Pitru direction). Step 5 — Offer water mixed with black sesame (til) and kusha grass. Step 6 — Chant ancestor’s name while offering: “[Name] Pitreshwaraya Tarpayami” Step 7 — Offer 3 times for each ancestor. Step 8 — Donate food, clothes or money to a Brahmin or poor person.
Amavasya Vrat — Dos and Don’ts
✅ Auspicious on Amavasya
- Pitru Tarpan and Shradh rituals
- Charity and donation (Daan)
- Visiting temples — especially Shiv and Vishnu temples
- Fasting and meditation
- Lighting lamps in the evening
❌ Avoid on Amavasya
- New purchases (gold, property) — except Diwali
- Starting new ventures or journeys
- Hair and nail cutting (except Diwali preparation)
- Celebrations and festivities (general Amavasya — not Diwali)
FAQ
2026 mein kitni Amavasya hain?
2026 mein 13 Amavasya hain — Adhik Maas ke kaaran ek extra. Normal years mein 12 Amavasya hoti hain.
Mahalaya Amavasya 2026 kab hai?
Mahalaya Amavasya 2026 October 10 (Saturday) ko hai — yeh Pitru Paksha ka aakhri din hai. Is din Saturday bhi hai to Shani Amavasya bhi — double significance.
Diwali 2026 kab hai?
Diwali 2026 November 8, 2026 (Sunday) ko hai — Kartika Amavasya ke din. Lakshmi Puja muhurat evening after sunset hoga.
Somvati Amavasya 2026 mein kab hai?
2026 mein koi bhi Amavasya Monday ko nahi padti, isliye Somvati Amavasya 2026 mein nahi hai.
Pitru Paksha 2026 kab se kab tak hai?
Pitru Paksha September 11 se October 10, 2026 tak hai — 16 din. Mahalaya Amavasya October 10 ko Sarva Pitru Tarpan kiya jaata hai.
Shani Amavasya 2026 mein kab hai?
2026 mein do Shani Amavasya hain — May 16 aur October 10 (Mahalaya). Shani Amavasya Shani Dev ki puja ke liye specially auspicious hai.
Every Amavasya is an opportunity to honour those who came before us — through Tarpan, silence, or a simple lamp lit in their memory. Mark these 13 dates in your calendar and never miss a sacred new moon day in 2026. 🙏
Also Read:
- Purnima Dates 2026 — All 13 Full Moon Dates
- Ekadashi Dates 2026 — All 24 Fasting Days
- Sankashti Chaturthi 2026 — Dates & Moonrise Timings
- Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra 2026 — July 16