Krishna Amavasya
Tithi 30 of 30 · presiding deity: Pitrs (ancestors)
Amavasya (New Moon) — the dark threshold between cycles. Ancestor worship is the dominant theme; Tarpanam offered. Mahalaya Amavasya (Bhadrapada Krishna 15) closes the 16-day Pitru Paksha. Diwali Amavasya (Karthika Krishna 15) is the festival of lights night.
Good for
- ✓Tarpanam for ancestors
- ✓Kali Puja (Bengal)
- ✓Setting intentions for the new lunar cycle
- ✓Diwali Lakshmi Puja
Avoid
- ×Beginning new ventures (the energy is internal, not outward)
- ×Travel to unfamiliar places at night
Traditional foods
Simple sattvic food · No onion/garlic in many traditions on this tithi · Til-rice (sesame rice) for ancestor offerings
Notable observances on this tithi
- • Mahalaya Amavasya
- • Diwali Amavasya
- • Somavati Amavasya (when Amavasya falls on a Monday — especially auspicious)
Sources
Garuda Purana
See also: festival calendar · glossary· methodology