PC: ( Rudraksha Ratna, Pintrest )
The Sacred Essence of Phalguna Amavasya
Phalguna Amavasya, also known as the new moon day or no moon day in the Hindu lunar month of Phalguna, holds profound spiritual importance. This sacred occasion, typically falling in February or March, marks the transition from winter to spring and serves as a powerful time for purification, ancestral homage, and seeking divine blessings.
Spiritual Importance in Hindu Scriptures
In Hindu scriptures, Phalguna Amavasya is revered for its association with Lord Shiva worship, believed to grant desired results, prosperity, and protection from negative energies. As the final Amavasya before the new Hindu year, it symbolizes renewal-cleansing past sins, karmic burdens, and paving the way for festivals like Holi. It is especially dedicated to ancestors (Pitrus), where devotees perform rituals to appease departed souls, remove Pitru Dosh (ancestral curses), and invite peace, blessings, and abundance into their lives.
Mythological and Historical Connections
Myths link this period to the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean), where holy dips in sacred rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, or Shipra are said to bestow immense spiritual merit. Its proximity to Mahashivratri further enhances its significance for Shiva devotees.
Phalguna Amavasya 2026: Date and Timings
According to reliable sources like Drik Panchang, Phalguna Amavasya 2026 falls on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. This day also coincides with a solar eclipse in some regions (though visibility varies), adding to its rarity and potency.
Key tithi timings (for reference, primarily New Delhi/India standard):
Amavasya tithi begins: 5:34 PM on February 16, 2026.
Amavasya tithi ends: 5:30 PM on February 17, 2026.
Auspicious periods for rituals, such as holy bathing (Snan), often fall in the early morning hours of February 17 (e.g., around 5:16 AM to 6:07 AM, subject to local panchang variations).
As it falls on a Tuesday, this year it is observed as Bhomvati Amavasya, which carries additional auspicious weight in certain traditions
Key Rituals and Practices
Devotees observe this day with devotion and discipline to honour ancestors and seek spiritual growth:
Holy Bath (Snan): Take a sacred dip in holy rivers or water bodies at dawn to wash away sins and impurities.
Tarpan: Offer water mixed with sesame seeds, barley, and kusha grass to ancestors while standing near a river or pond and chanting mantras. Derived from the Sanskrit word “Trup” (to satisfy), Tarpan quenches the “thirst” of departed souls and ensures their blessings for descendants.
Pind Daan: Prepare rice balls (pindas) from cooked rice, barley flour, sesame seeds, and ghee. These symbolize the physical body of the departed and are offered to help liberate their souls, granting them moksha (liberation) and bringing prosperity and harmony to the living
Worship of Lord Shiva: Perform puja, chant mantras, and offer bilva leaves or other items to invoke Shiva’s grace.
Charity and Donations: Donate food, clothes, mustard oil, sesame seeds, black gram, or other essentials to the needy. Such acts are believed to mitigate malefic planetary effects and attract wealth.
Lighting Lamps: Light a mustard oil lamp under a peepal tree for auspicious energy.
Fasting and Meditation: Many undertake a fast, engage in mantra chanting, and meditate for inner peace.
Embracing the Eternal Bond
By performing these rituals with sincerity on Phalguna Amavasya, devotees not only pay respect to their ancestors but also invite renewal, protection, and prosperity into their lives. This sacred day reminds us of the eternal bond between generations and the power of gratitude in Hindu tradition.