Chaitra Amavasya 2026 — Thursday, 19 March 2026

About this day

This is the new moon that ends the lunar year: the next day Chaitra Navratri begins in the north, and Gudi Padwa and Ugadi mark the new year in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

How Amavasya is kept

• Where a fast is kept, it is usually a simple one on Darsha Amavasya: a single sattvic meal, or fruit and milk.
• Tarpan — offering water with black sesame and kusha grass to the ancestors — is done late in the morning or around midday, and any family member may do it with sincerity.
• A bath in a river or at a tirtha is a strong tradition, especially on Mauni and Somvati Amavasya; at home, a bath with a little Ganga water carries the same intent.
• Feeding cows, crows, dogs and ants, and giving food, clothing or sesame to those in need, are common Amavasya customs.
• Lighting a lamp in the evening, under a peepal tree or at the household shrine, is widely practised.
• Many keep the day vegetarian and avoid alcohol as a mark of respect.
• If you are elderly, pregnant, diabetic or unwell, there is no need to fast — remembrance and charity are the heart of the day. Speak to a doctor if you are unsure.

Amavasya: the full guide and every date

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