Amavasya 2026: Date, Time and Ritual Details

Amavasya 2026: Date, Time and Ritual Details

12 February 2026

Amavasya, the New Moon day, holds profound spiritual significance in Hinduism, Jainism and several other Indian traditions. It is the day when the Sun and Moon are conjunct, resulting in no visible moonlight at night. This complete darkness is considered ideal for introspection, ancestor worship (Pitru Tarpan), tantric practices, and certain remedial rituals. In 2026, there will be 12 Amavasya days (one per lunar month), with Phalguna Amavasya coinciding with Maha Shivratri on 15 February.

This article provides the exact dates and timings of all Amavasya days in 2026 (based on Ujjain / Varanasi panchang — the most widely accepted reference for North India), their corresponding lunar months, key rituals and spiritual importance.

Amavasya Dates & Timings in 2026

All timings are in Indian Standard Time (IST) and refer to the end moment of Amavasya tithi (when Shukla Pratipada begins).

• Pausha Amavasya: 29 December 2025, 13:14 – 30 December 2025, 13:47
• Magha Amavasya: 28 January 2026, 10:52 – 29 January 2026, 13:02
• Phalguna Amavasya (Maha Shivratri): 14 February 2026, 17:42 – 15 February 2026, 16:28
• Chaitra Amavasya (Hindu New Year eve in many traditions): 15 March 2026, 23:58 – 16 March 2026, 23:47
• Vaishakha Amavasya: 14 April 2026, 08:12 – 15 April 2026, 08:58
• Jyeshtha Amavasya: 13 May 2026, 17:03 – 14 May 2026, 19:07
• Ashadha Amavasya: 12 June 2026, 02:41 – 13 June 2026, 05:54
• Shravana Amavasya: 11 July 2026, 12:58 – 12 July 2026, 16:55
• Bhadrapada Amavasya: 9 August 2026, 23:29 – 11 August 2026, 03:17
• Ashwin Amavasya (Pitru Paksha ends): 8 September 2026, 09:35 – 9 September 2026, 12:45
• Kartika Amavasya (Diwali Amavasya): 7 October 2026, 19:13 – 8 October 2026, 21:13
• Margashirsha Amavasya: 6 November 2026, 04:29 – 7 November 2026, 05:11

Note: Phalguna Amavasya 2026 coincides with Maha Shivratri, making it the most important Amavasya of the year for Shiva devotees.

Spiritual Significance of Amavasya

Amavasya is the darkest night of the lunar month — the night with no moonlight. In Vedic astrology and tantra, this darkness represents the perfect canvas for inner work:

• Ancestor worship (Pitru Tarpan) is most potent because departed souls are believed to be closest to the earthly realm on Amavasya
• Tantric and siddhi practices gain extra power due to reduced lunar interference
• It is considered ideal for mantra sadhana, meditation and removing deep-rooted karmic blocks
• Many Shaiva and Shakta traditions view Amavasya as the night when Shiva absorbs all negativity, making it suitable for purification rituals

Phalguna Amavasya (Maha Shivratri) is regarded as the most powerful Amavasya because it combines the energy of the New Moon with Shiva’s cosmic grace.

Key Rituals Performed on Amavasya

1. Pitru Tarpan & Shraddha Offer sesame seeds, water, kusha grass and pinda to ancestors. Perform tarpan facing south at sunrise or during the Abhijit Muhurat. Many families perform simple tarpan at home with black sesame, water and kusha.
2. Shiva Abhishekam (especially on Phalguna Amavasya) Continuous pouring of water, milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar, bilva leaves and panchamrit on the Shiva Linga. The most powerful time is Nishita Kaal (midnight).
3. Rudrabhishek & Laghurudra Chanting of Sri Rudram 11 times by priests. This is considered highly effective for removing obstacles and gaining Shiva’s protection.
4. Chanting of Mahamrityunjaya Mantra 1,008 or 1,25,000 repetitions of “Om Tryambakam Yajamahe…” is a common practice for health, longevity and moksha.
5. Fasting & Jagran Many devotees observe full-day fast (fruits, milk, sabudana) and stay awake all night chanting or meditating.
6. Donations & Charity Giving food, clothes, blankets or money to the poor is considered especially meritorious on Amavasya.

Regional & Temple-Specific Observance

• Kashi Vishwanath, Varanasi — Massive crowd for midnight Abhishekam and Ganga aarti
• Mahakaleshwar, Ujjain — Bhasma Aarti at midnight draws lakhs of pilgrims
• Pashupatinath, Kathmandu — Sadhus perform special fire rituals; temple remains open all night
• Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu — Holy dip in Agni Theertham followed by grand Abhishekam
• Somnath, Gujarat — Special light & sound show and midnight puja
• Badrinath & Kedarnath — Winter closure means devotees perform home rituals

Fasting & Dietary Guidelines

Common fasting rules:

• No grains, no salt (some allow sendha namak)
• No onion, garlic, non-vegetarian food
• Allowed: fruits, milk, curd, sabudana, makhana, singhada flour (water chestnut), kuttu atta (buckwheat), rajgira (amaranth), water, tea/coffee without sugar

Popular dishes:

• Sabudana khichdi / vada
• Kuttu ki puri / paratha
• Rajgira halwa / laddoo
• Makhana kheer
• Fruit salad
• Milk-based sweets (kheer, payasam)

Many people break the fast after morning puja on 15 February or after moon sighting in the evening.

Conclusion: A Powerful Night for Inner Work

Maha Shivratri 2026 arrives tomorrow night (14–15 February) as a profound opportunity for spiritual cleansing and awakening. Whether through elaborate temple Abhishekam, simple home worship, strict fasting, night-long chanting or silent meditation on “Om Namah Shivaya”, the night invites every seeker to dissolve ego, burn past karma and connect with the eternal Shiva consciousness.

May the blessings of Mahadeva bring peace, strength, wisdom, protection and liberation to every home on this sacred night.