Recurring observance · San Francisco Bay Area
Amāvāsyā
Why it matters
Amavasya is the new-moon day, often devoted to inward reflection, ancestor remembrance, charity and deity-specific regional observances.
The story behind it
Many traditions regard the dark-moon phase as especially suitable for tarpanam to ancestors, quiet spiritual practice and resetting household or personal intentions.
Prayers and worship
Tarpana where appropriate, family-deity worship, Shiva/Vishnu/Devi prayers according to tradition, japa and charity.
Fasting and devotional customs
Some families fast, avoid elaborate celebrations, perform ancestral rites or visit sacred waters. Regional Amavasyas may have additional customs.
What is typically offered
Water, sesame, lamps, simple food or charity for ancestor rites; deity offerings depend on the regional observance.
Visiting a temple that day
Temple programs may be quieter and may include tarpanam services. If participating in ancestor rites, follow the priest’s instructions closely. Temple practices vary by region and sampradaya. Dress modestly, remove footwear where required, follow priest/volunteer directions, ask before photography, and check the temple’s event page for exact pooja, fasting and prasādam arrangements.
Spiritual themes
Reflection, remembrance, purification and renewal.
Every Amāvāsyā date, 2026–2027
Bay Area dates
- 18 Jan 2026Magha Amavasya / Mauni Amavasya
- 16 Feb 2026Phalguna Amavasya
- 18 Mar 2026Chaitra Amavasya
- 16 Apr 2026Vaishakha Amavasya
- 16 May 2026Jyeshtha Amavasya
- 14 Jun 2026Jyeshtha Adhika Amavasya
- 13 Jul 2026Ashadha Amavasya
- 12 Aug 2026Shravana Amavasya
- 10 Sep 2026Bhadrapada Amavasyanext
- 10 Oct 2026Ashwina Amavasya (Sarva Pitru observance is Oct 9)
- 8 Nov 2026Kartika Amavasya / Diwali
- 8 Dec 2026Margashirsha Amavasya
- 7 Jan 2027Pausha Amavasya
- 5 Feb 2027Magha Amavasya / Mauni Amavasya
- 7 Mar 2027Phalguna Amavasya
- 6 Apr 2027Chaitra Amavasya
- 5 May 2027Vaishakha Amavasya
- 4 Jun 2027Jyeshtha Amavasya
- 3 Jul 2027Ashadha Amavasya
- 1 Aug 2027Shravana / Aadi Amavasya
- 30 Aug 2027Bhadrapada / Pithori Amavasya
- 29 Sep 2027Ashwina / Sarva Pitru Amavasya
- 28 Oct 2027Kartika Amavasya / Diwali
- 27 Nov 2027Margashirsha Amavasya
- 27 Dec 2027Pausha Amavasya / Somavati Amavasya
Request a pooja
Sri Kumar Gurukkal can perform the associated pooja at your home, at a temple, or with family joining remotely.
Request a poojaOpen the full calendarEvery Amāvāsyā date in your calendar
Subscribe to just this observance and each date appears in your own calendar app, with a link back here.
Subscribe to Amāvāsyā Download .icsThese are recurring observances whose dates follow the tithi at a particular moment of the day (sunrise, sunset, moonrise or midnight), computed for the Fremont / Bay Area location. Fasting rules and exact windows differ by lineage — please confirm with Sri Kumar Gurukkal or your family priest. How these dates are calculated →