Phalguna Amavasya in 2026 will be observed on February 17, with the Amavasya Tithi beginning at 5:34 PM on February 16 and ending at 5:30 AM on February 17. This day marks the final new moon of the Hindu lunar month of Phalguna and holds deep spiritual importance, especially for honoring ancestors.

Spiritual Significance

Phalguna Amavasya is primarily dedicated to paying homage to departed souls through Pitru Tarpan and Pind Daan. It is believed that performing these rituals during this sacred period brings peace to ancestors and invites their blessings for prosperity, harmony, and well-being in the family.

Key Rituals and Practices

Devotees usually wake up before sunrise and take a holy bath, preferably in sacred rivers, though bathing at home with devotion is also considered auspicious. The most important rituals are typically performed during the morning hours of February 17.

Common practices include:

• Performing Pitru Tarpan and Pind Daan

• Observing partial or full-day fasting

• Donating food, clothes, and essentials to the needy

• Feeding cows as an act of religious merit

• Lighting lamps and offering prayers under a Peepal tree, which is believed to attract prosperity and remove negative energies

Many families also light diyas at home and create a peaceful environment for prayers.

What to Avoid

On this day, it is advised to avoid arguments, negative thoughts, and inauspicious activities. Consumption of non-vegetarian food and alcohol is discouraged. Beginning new ventures during the Amavasya period is also generally avoided.

Community Observances

Across different regions of India, devotees gather at temples and riverbanks to collectively perform rituals. The observance not only strengthens spiritual connection but also reinforces family bonds and community unity.

Phalguna Amavasya serves as a powerful reminder of gratitude toward ancestors and offers an opportunity to seek blessings for stability, prosperity, and protection from negativity.