According to the Hindu calendar, the last day of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in the month of Chaitra is known as Chaitra Amavasya. Amavasya, the new moon day, is a sacred time when the Moon becomes invisible and a special spiritual energy permeates the atmosphere.
While every Amavasya holds significance in Sanatan Dharma, the Amavasya of Chaitra is considered particularly auspicious for offering prayers to ancestors, bathing, donating, and self-purification. It is a unique opportunity to express gratitude to one’s forefathers and receive their blessings.
According to the AstroEdge calendar, Chaitra Amavasya in 2026 will begin on March 18, 2026, at 08:28 AM and end on March 19, 2026, at 06:55 AM. Since Udayatithi (the sunrise date) is important in Hinduism, Chaitra Amavasya will be celebrated on March 19, 2026.
According to religious beliefs, on this day the doors of the ancestral world open closer to the earth. Offerings of tarpan, shraadh, and donations performed with devotion bring peace to the souls of ancestors.
Scriptures affirm that those who remember and worship their ancestors on this day are freed from ancestral sins and blessed with happiness and prosperity.
The month of Chaitra also marks the beginning of Hindu New Year, further enhancing the importance of this Amavasya. It inspires positive change through introspection, penance, and charity.
All rituals should be performed with devotion and pure intentions to yield full spiritual benefits.
Donation is regarded as one of the highest virtues in Sanatan Dharma. On Chaitra Amavasya, donating food, cows, gold, sesame seeds, jaggery, and other essentials is considered highly meritorious.
Giving to the needy and specially abled especially pleases God. It is believed that donations made on this day yield manifold benefits, bringing happiness and prosperity to the family.
Goswami Tulsidas beautifully described the power of charity:
“Tulsi, even if the birds drink, the water of the river never decreases.
Donation of wealth does not decrease if Raghuveer helps.”
Just as a mighty river’s water never diminishes when birds drink from it, wealth given in true devotion never leads to scarcity.
Chaitra Amavasya is a festival of faith, gratitude, and service. Through bathing, prayer, fasting, and charity, devotees not only honor their ancestors but also purify their own lives. On Chaitra Amavasya 2026, perform rituals with devotion and let this sacred day illuminate your path toward spiritual progress.
Q: When is Chaitra Amavasya 2026?
A: Chaitra Amavasya will be celebrated on March 19, 2026.
Q: To which deity is Chaitra Amavasya dedicated?
A: It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Mahadev (Shiva).
Q: What should be donated on Chaitra Amavasya?
A: Food, clothing, and grains should be donated to the needy.