Amavasya 2026: New Moon Dates, Timings & Significance (Full List)

Once every lunar month the sky goes completely dark — there is no moon at all. This is Amavasya, the new moon tithi, one of the most spiritually significant days in the Hindu calendar. It is a time for remembering ancestors (Pitru Tarpan), inner reflection, and specific vrats. This guide gives you the complete Amavasya 2026 dates list with exact new-moon timings (IST) and the special Amavasya observed each month.

What is Amavasya?

Amavasya is the thirtieth and final tithi (lunar day) of the month — the end of the dark Krishna Paksha — when the Moon and the Sun share the same ecliptic longitude and the Moon is not visible in the sky. The exact new-moon moment is when the Sun–Moon angular distance returns to 0°. Because tithis are defined by this Sun–Moon relationship, the new-moon moment falls at a different time each month.

Amavasya is traditionally dedicated to the Pitru (ancestors). Devotees perform tarpan and shraddha, take holy dips, keep fasts, and avoid starting new ventures — using the dark, quiet energy of the day for prayer and introspection instead.

Amavasya 2026 dates (full list with timings)

There are 12 Amavasya tithis in 2026. The table below gives the exact moment of the new moon in Indian Standard Time (IST) and the special Amavasya observed in that month.

Times are astronomically calculated for IST. The observance date of an Amavasya can shift by a day depending on the sunrise at your location and whether the tithi prevails at the relevant time; festival names follow common North Indian usage. Confirm your local date with a trusted panchang.

Special Amavasya days you should know

• Somvati Amavasya — any Amavasya that falls on a Monday. Considered very auspicious for married women’s long-life prayers. In 2026 these fall on 19 January, 15 June and 9 November.
• Mauni Amavasya — the Magha Amavasya, observed with silence (maun) and a holy dip, especially at Prayagraj.
• Hariyali Amavasya — the Shravana Amavasya (12 August 2026), associated with greenery, tree planting and Lord Shiva.
• Sarva Pitru / Mahalaya Amavasya — the most important day of Pitru Paksha for ancestral shraddha (10 October 2026).
• Diwali Amavasya — the Kartik Amavasya, the night of Lakshmi Puja (around 9 November 2026).

What to do on Amavasya

• Perform Pitru Tarpan / shraddha to honour ancestors and seek their blessings.
• Take a holy bath at sunrise, or add Ganga jal to your bath water.
• Keep a fast, worship Lord Shiva or the Pitru, and light a diya in the evening.
• Give donations (food, black sesame, clothes) — charity on Amavasya is highly valued.
• Avoid beginning major new ventures; use the day for prayer, cleansing and reflection.

Amavasya and Purnima: the two poles of the month

Amavasya (new moon) closes the dark fortnight and is dedicated to ancestors and introspection; Purnima (full moon) closes the bright fortnight and celebrates fullness and Lord Vishnu. Every vrat and festival in the Hindu year is anchored to one of these two tithis, which is why keeping a tithi calendar handy is so useful.

Conclusion

Amavasya is a day of stillness, remembrance and spiritual cleansing. Save this 2026 Amavasya list for your tarpan, vrat and donation days, and for the live tithi and moon phase on any date, use the free Tithi Calendar. For personalised remedies, Pitru Dosha guidance or your horoscope, consult AstroLogic Digital.