Festival 2028 · Sarva Pitru Amavasya, last day of Pitru Paksha
Sarva Pitru Amavasya (Mahalaya) 2028
Monday, 18 September 2028
Tithi begins: Mon 18 Sep, 3:48 AM IST
Tithi ends: Mon 18 Sep, 11:53 PM IST
Times for Delhi. Other cities can differ, sometimes by a day.
About Sarva Pitru Amavasya (Mahalaya)
Mahalaya Amavasya (Sarva Pitru Amavasya) is the new moon that closes Pitru Paksha, the fortnight of ancestor rites. It is the day for Shraddh and tarpan for all ancestors, especially when the death tithi is unknown.
In Bengal it is also the day Durga is invoked (Mahalaya) a week before Durga Puja.
How it is observed
- Tarpan with water, black sesame and kusha grass.
- Pind daan and Brahmin bhojan.
- Feeding cows, crows and dogs.
- Charity of food and clothes in the name of ancestors.
Dates follow the Hindu lunar calendar (tithi) as seen from Delhi and can differ by a day between regions and panchangs. Computed from NASA JPL DE421 Sun and Moon positions. Confirm with your local temple or priest for religious observances.
More festival dates
Frequently asked questions
When is Sarva Pitru Amavasya (Mahalaya) in 2028?
Sarva Pitru Amavasya (Mahalaya) 2028 falls on Monday, 18 September 2028. The tithi begins Mon 18 Sep, 3:48 AM IST and ends Mon 18 Sep, 11:53 PM IST (Delhi).
Can I do Shraddh for all ancestors on Mahalaya Amavasya?
Yes. Sarva Pitru Amavasya is the day for any ancestors whose tithi is unknown or was missed.
Why does the date of Sarva Pitru Amavasya (Mahalaya) change every year?
Hindu festivals follow the lunar calendar, so the date moves against the 365-day calendar by about 11 days a year, then jumps back when an extra (Adhika) month is added.
Keep exploring, all free