Chaitra Amavasya
चैत्र अमावस्या
Chaitra Amavasya is the first new moon of the Hindu astronomical year. It is dedicated to water charity, Sattu donation, and cleansing ancestral karmic cords at the onset of summer.
April 17, 2026
Friday
04:35 AM to 06:15 AM
Sacred river bath muhurta
April 16, 2026 at 08:20 PM
Commencement
April 17, 2026 at 06:40 PM
Conclusion
ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय सर्वपितृभ्यो नमः स्वाहा॥
Oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya sarvapitṛbhyo namaḥ svāhā ||
Salutations to Lord Vasudeva and all ancestral Pitrus. May this sacred oblation bring eternal peace.
Spiritual & Scriptural Significance
Donating earthen pitchers filled with water (Jal-Kumbha), barley flour (Sattu), and hand fans on Chaitra Amavasya is said to relieve ancestors from thirst and heat in subtle realms.
Pauranic Katha & History
The Matsya Purana narrates that King Trishanku obtained relief from his celestial curse after his descendants offered earthen water vessels and roasted barley on Chaitra Amavasya. By performing selfless charity on this day, a devotee cleanses negative past actions.
Step-by-Step Pitru Tarpan & Puja Vidhi
- 1Wake up early and take a purifying bath at dawn.
- 2Offer water to Surya Deva in a copper lota.
- 3Conduct Pitru Tarpan with black sesame and clean water.
- 4Donate earthen pots filled with sweet drinking water, Sattu, and seasonal fruits like watermelons and mangoes.
- 5Circumambulate the Tulsi plant and light an evening ghee lamp.
Frequently Asked Questions: Chaitra Amavasya
What is the importance of donating Sattu on Chaitra Amavasya?
Sattu (roasted gram flour) is cooling and nutritious; donating it alongside water pots at the onset of summer is considered a supreme act of compassion and charity.
What deities are worshipped on Chaitra Amavasya?
Lord Vishnu, Surya Bhagavan, and ancestral Pitrus are the primary recipients of worship on Chaitra Amavasya.