Sarva Pitru Amavasya 2025: The Last & Most Powerful Day for Pitru Shanti & Ancestors’ Blessings

Chinmayi Devi Dasi
Sep 18
4 min read

What happens when you pray on the last day of Pitru Paksha? Unveil the spiritual secrets of Sarva Pitru Amavasya 2025

Sarva Pitru Amavasya is not just another date in the Hindu calendar — it is the day when generations connect. It is the last and most powerful day of Pitru Paksha, the time when families pause to honor their forefathers, seek their blessings, and ensure their eternal peace.

In 2025, Sarva Pitru Amavasya falls on Sunday, 21 September 2025. This day is extra significant because it coincides with a solar eclipse, making it a rare and spiritually charged occasion.

What is Pitru Paksha and Why the Last Day Matters

Pitru Paksha is a sacred 16-day period when Hindus pay homage to their ancestors. Every day, rituals such as tarpan (water offerings), shraddha (ritual feeding), and pind-daan (offering rice balls) are performed to bring peace to departed souls.

But the last day, known as Sarva Pitru Amavasya (Mahalaya Amavasya), holds a unique place. It is said that if someone does not know the exact death date (tithi) of their ancestors, they can perform rites on this day, and it will reach all forefathers. That’s why this day is called the universal day of remembrance.

It is also believed that performing Shraddha on this day not only grants peace to ancestors but also removes Pitru Dosha (ancestral karmic imbalance), bringing harmony, prosperity, and blessings to the family.

Date and Timings for Sarva Pitru Amavasya 2025

Date: Sunday, 21 September 2025
Tithi: Amavasya (Mahalaya)
Kutup Muhurat (most auspicious time): Around 11:47 AM – 12:38 PM IST (check local Panchang for your exact city timing).
Additional Muhurat: Aparahna (afternoon period) can also be used if Kutup Muhurat is missed.

Note: Timings may slightly differ by region, so it’s always wise to confirm with a local priest or Panchang.

Rituals of Sarva Pitru Amavasya

On this day, families perform simple yet powerful acts of devotion:

1. Sankalpa (Intention)

Begin with a calm mind and declare that you are performing rituals for the peace of your ancestors. Even a heartfelt prayer said aloud is meaningful.

2. Tarpan (Water Offering)

Mix water with black sesame seeds and offer it while chanting mantras for ancestors. Each drop symbolizes gratitude.

“ॐ सर्व पितृभ्यो नमः।”

(Salutations to all my ancestors.)

3. Pinda-Daan (Offering Food to Ancestors)

Prepare small rice balls mixed with barley flour, sesame seeds, and ghee. Place them on a banana leaf or clean plate. These are believed to nourish ancestors in the spiritual realm.

4. Feeding and Charity

Offer food to cows, crows, and needy people. Feeding a Brahmin or a hungry soul is considered equivalent to feeding one’s ancestors directly.

Tulsi Remedies on Sarva Pitru Amavasya

Tulsi (holy basil) is deeply connected to Lord Vishnu, and on this day, it is believed that simple Tulsi rituals open the door to both ancestral peace and family prosperity.

Light a ghee lamp near Tulsi at dusk and pray for peace.
Tie a yellow thread with 108 knots around the Tulsi plant — this is said to stabilize family life and bring financial stability.
Offer a red chunri to Tulsi Mata, symbolizing respect and devotion.
Do not pluck Tulsi leaves on this day — instead, simply circumambulate (parikrama) around the plant.

These remedies are simple gestures of love, yet they carry deep spiritual weight.

The Emotional Side: Saying “Goodbye” to Our Ancestors

Sarva Pitru Amavasya is not only about rituals — it is about love, memory, and closure. It’s the day when we whisper a heartfelt “thank you” to our forefathers.

Here are some simple, emotional ways to honor them:

Share a story about your grandparents with children, so their memory stays alive.
Light a diya in their name, offering silent gratitude.
Forgive the past — let go of old hurts, knowing that our ancestors were human too.
Donate something small in their memory — food, clothes, or even a prayer.

This gentle act of remembrance keeps the bond alive, even across lifetimes.

“ॐ पितृगणाय विद्महे । जगद्धारिणी धीमहि । तन्नो पितृः प्रचोदयात् ॥”

Meaning: We meditate upon the eternal forefathers who uphold the world. May they inspire and guide us on the right path.

Dos and Don’ts of the Day

Do: Perform rituals with sincerity, even if they are small.

Do: Offer food, water, or clothes to animals, birds, and the needy — it carries your ancestors’ blessings forward.

Do: Sit in silence, remember your lineage, and feel the strength of generations flowing through you.

Don’t: Eat non-vegetarian food or indulge in arguments, anger, or negativity.

Don’t: Pluck Tulsi leaves on this sacred day — instead, simply offer your prayers.

Don’t: Rush through rituals. The purity of your heart is far greater than the grandeur of offerings.

Closing Thoughts — A Heartfelt Goodbye to Our Ancestors

Sarva Pitru Amavasya is not just a ritualistic day — it is the soul’s dialogue with those who came before us. On this day, the distance between the living and the departed feels small, almost like a soft veil gently lifting.

It reminds us that we carry our ancestors in our breath, in our blood, in every tradition and value they handed down. Their stories are our roots, their blessings our shield, and their sacrifices the foundation upon which we stand today.

On 21 September 2025, take a quiet moment. Light a diya, close your eyes, whisper their names, and say with folded hands and a full heart:

“We bow to you with gratitude. We remember your love, your struggles, your blessings. Today, we send you peace and prayers. Be free, be at rest, and continue to guide us with your unseen hands.”

Let this day be not only about rituals, but also about love and remembrance. In saying “goodbye” to our ancestors on this final day of Pitru Paksha, we are not letting them go — we are simply sending them forward with light and trust, while carrying their blessings as our eternal companions.