Ujjain: In Hinduism, every Amavasya or new moon day is significant. However, the Amavasya that falls in the month of Ashwin is considered the most auspicious. This is because this day is also known as Sarvapitri Amavasya and it marks the end of Pitru Paksha, a 15-day period dedicated to paying homage to the ancestors. This year 2023, Sarva Pitru Amavasya (Sarva Pitru Amavasya 2023) will be observed on 14 October and it will also coincide with the last solar eclipse of the year (Surya Grahan 2023). This raises a question in the minds of some devotees what is the best time to perform Shraddha, Pind Daan, and Tarpan rituals for their ancestors on this day? Let us find out the date and time of Sarvapitri Amavasya and its importance.
Date and Time
According to the Hindu calendar, the Amavasya tithi of Ashwin month’s Krishna Paksha will begin at 9.50 pm on 13th October and end at 11.24 pm on 14th October. On this day, the solar eclipse will occur from 8:34 p.m. to 2:25 p.m. This will be an annular solar eclipse, which means that the moon will cover only the sun’s center, leaving a ring of light visible around it. However, this eclipse will not be visible in India and hence there will be no Sutak period applicable here.
Significance
It is believed that during Pitru Paksha, the souls of the ancestors descend from heaven and stay among their family members. During this time, their needs are fulfilled by offering Shraddha, a ritual of offering them food, water, and prayers. After this, on the day of Sarvapitri Amavasya, the ancestors are respectfully bid farewell and sent back to heaven. For their peace and liberation, it is considered essential to perform Shraddha, Pind Daan, and Tarpan rituals on the occasion of Sarva Pitru Amavasya. On this day, doing charity and reciting the seventh chapter of the Bhagavad Gita is also considered very beneficial.
