Mahalaya Amavasya

Mahalaya is an important fortnight of the year to feed the souls of our ancestors and receive their countless blessings to progress well in your life. The period from the Pratipada tithi of Krishna Paksha of Ashwin masa till the no moon day- Amavasya is called Pitru Paksha. Mahalaya Amavasya or Sarvapitru Amavasya is the pitru paksha Amavasya. Astrologically, Mahalaya fortnight occurs when the planet Sun enters the sign Virgo. This position of Sun in the sign Virgo is of great importance since it is the ninth house from the 10th House of karma in the natural zodiac.

Mahalaya Amavasya Date 2023

Sat , 14th Oct 2023

Every action and reaction or any happening on the earth plane is based on the 10th House of karma. According to Kala Purusha Tattva the 10th House of the natural zodiac is Capricorn which is ruled by planet Saturn. Saturn is the ruler of Karma and often He is the influencing factor in various life situations becoming a reward or a lesson.

Another significance of Sun in Virgo is it is the 10th house from natural zodiac Capricorn Sign, the house of Karma. 10thhouse from Capricorn, Virgo represents the Prarabdha karma. Prarabdha karma indicates the purpose of the life. Also holds information about most life events. Sun enters this Virgo sign in the nakshatra Uttara Phalguni ruled by Aryama, a form of Sun who is the chief of Pitraloka. This is the realm where the souls of our ancestors’ rest before taking rebirth. Souls from this realm descend on earth plane for the offerings or sacrifices performed by their children and grandchildren. So, Sun in Virgo under the influence of Uttara Phalguni makes Mahalaya ideal for Tarpanam rituals and ancestral remedies.

When Tarpanam and ancestral rituals are missed they transpire as Pitru dosha in Natal chart. This dosha can overpower lucky yogas in the natal chart. So, it is most important to pacify ancestors at least during the Mahalaya paksha. This Amavasya is ideal for performing tarpanam for ancestors and family members who died of suicide, unexpected/untimely deaths, accidents and of unknown reasons or diseases.

Rituals

Amavasya Shraddha is also known as Amavas Shraddha. Shraddha Ritual is performed by the male member of the family, usually the eldest son. The ritual is performed at the banks of sacred rivers or water bodies near temples. The individual performing the ritual takes a holy bath, wears a ring made of Dharbha grass. This Dharbha grass symbolises benevolence and invokes the energy of the ancestors during the mantra recital. Followed by 'Pind Daan', a ritual of offering of Pindi or Pinda which are cooked rice balls mixed with sesame seeds. Lord Vishnu is then invoked with another strand of holy Dharbha grass to bless the invoked ancestors.

The Pind is immersed in the water body or offered to crow. Crow is believed as both ancestor element or as the messenger of Yama, so when they are eating the Pind or food, it is considered that the hungry ancestor's appetite is quenched. On this day, special sattvic food is prepared for the ritual and is offered in memory of the dead ancestors.

Benefits

Pitru Paksha especially Mahalaya Amavasya is one of the most auspicious days to resolve chronic challenges in life.
When ancestors are in the state of unrest it causes money loss, matrimonial, and progeny issues, performing Shradh on Sarva Pitru Amavasya clears Pitru Paksha dosha and blesses peace on the souls of the ancestors.
Shraddha on Amavasya tithi also provides relief from persistent problems and challenges due to planetary complications due to Pitru dosha.
Shradh rituals on Mahalaya Amavasya tithi helps win legal-battles, defamation challenges and litigations