Thai Amavasai 2026

Thai Amavasai is one of the most sacred new moon days in the Hindu calendar, especially for devotees in Tamil Nadu and South India. This day is highly significant for performing Pitru Tarpanam, Shraddha, and ancestral rituals. It falls in the Tamil month of Thai, which is considered auspicious for new beginnings, spiritual purification, and expressing gratitude to one’s ancestors. In 2026, Thai Amavasai will be observed on Sunday, January 18, 2026. Amavasai Tithi Begins: 12:03 AM, January 18, 2026

Amavasai Tithi Ends: 01:21 AM, January 19, 2026

Thai Amavasai is the new moon day that occurs in the Tamil month of Thai (mid-January to mid-February). Amavasai days are generally suitable for remembering departed ancestors, but Thai Amavasai is considered one of the most powerful Amavasai days of the year. The word Amavasai means “a moonless night,” when the moon and sun are in the same zodiac position. Spiritually, Amavasai is believed to be a day when ancestral energies are closest to the earth. Why Thai Amavasai Is Special The month of Thai marks positive beginnings, new ventures, spiritual upliftment, and family wellbeing.

Ancestor blessings received on this day are believed to be especially strong and immediate.

Many temples across Tamil Nadu perform special Pitru Puja, Tarpanam, and Homams.

1. Day for Honoring Ancestors Thai Amavasai holds high importance for: Offering Tarpanam Performing Shraddha rituals Praying for the peace of departed souls

According to scriptures, performing rituals on this day helps ancestors attain peace and bring blessings to their families.

2. Blessings for Family Prosperity Praying on Thai Amavasai is believed to: Remove family problems Bring financial stability Improve harmony among family members

3. Best Day for Ancestral Gratitude Devotees express gratitude to forefathers for: Their blessings Family lineage Protection and guidance

4. Spiritual Cleansing This day is known for: Cleaning negative energies Removing karmic blocks Improving emotional and mental peace

5. Importance in Tamil Culture Tamil people especially observe Thai Amavasai with devotion, visiting: Rameswaram Kashi Vishwanath Kannyakumari Thiruvannamalai Mahabalipuram seashores

These holy places are believed to intensify the benefits of Pitru rituals.

Everyone can observe Thai Amavasai rituals, but it is especially recommended for:

1. People with Ancestors Who Passed Away If family members (parents, grandparents, close relatives) have died, performing tarpanam brings them peace.
2. Those Facing Family Problems People suffering from: Financial losses Delayed marriage Health issues Lack of peace at home

may benefit greatly from Pitru puja.

3. Those Who Missed Shraddha If Shraddha could not be performed on the death anniversary or Mahalaya Paksha, Thai Amavasai is an excellent alternative.

4. Those Seeking Spiritual Growth Observing this day with fasting, meditation, and puja helps purify the mind and heart.

5. Devotees Seeking Ancestor Blessings People seeking guidance, protection, and support from their lineage perform the rituals on this day. Importance of Performing Tarpanam on Thai Amavasai Tarpanam is the central ritual of Amavasai, involving offerings of: Water Sesame seeds (Ellu) Rice Darbha grass Benefits of Performing Tarpanam Brings blessings from ancestors Removes Pitru Dosha (ancestral imbalance) Promotes overall prosperity Helps the departed souls move to higher realms Improves health, success, and peace within the family Eliminates negative energies

Tarpanam is traditionally performed by men, but women may also offer prayers and perform basic rituals.

Thai Amavasai 2026 Date: Sunday, January 18, 2026

Amavasai Tithi Start: 12:03 AM, Jan 18

Amavasai Tithi End: 01:21 AM, Jan 19

The most preferred time for rituals is morning to midday on January 18.

Below is a simple, easy-to-follow Tamil tradition–based procedure. Step 1: Early Morning Bath Wake up before sunrise. Take a bath with clean water.

If possible, add black sesame seeds to the water—it is believed to purify negative energies.

Step 2: Clean the House Clean the puja area. Light incense (agarbatti) for purity.

Prepare a mat or cloth for doing the rituals.

Step 3: Sankalpam (Vow) Sit facing east or south and take a vow: To honor ancestors To perform rituals with devotion To seek peace and prosperity for the family

Step 4: Setting Up the Puja Place Arrange the following items: Brass or copper vessel Black sesame seeds Darbha grass Rice Water Flowers Lamp (diya) Banana leaves (optional)

If performing Tarpanam in a river or sea, bring the required items arranged in a small bag.

Step 5: Lighting the Lamp Light a diya using ghee or sesame oil to invoke divine and ancestral energies. How to Perform Tarpanam (Simple Method)

Step-by-Step Tarpanam Procedure Sit facing south, as it is associated with ancestors. Take a handful of water mixed with sesame seeds. Chant “Om Pitru Devataabhyo Namah”. Pour water slowly onto the ground or into a flowing river. Repeat the offering 3, 7, or 12 times, depending on tradition.

Include All Ancestors Offer prayers to: Paternal ancestors Maternal ancestors Unmarried or young souls who died early Optional Offerings Some people also offer: Cooked rice (Pindam) Bananas Milk Curd

Step 6: Thai Amavasai Puja at Home If not performing tarpanam, you can perform a simple home puja:

1. Worship Lord Shiva Chant: “Om Namah Shivaya”
2. Worship Lord Vishnu or Sri Narayana Chant: “Om Namo Narayanaya”
3. Offer Food to Crows Crows are believed to represent the ancestors. Feeding them is considered auspicious. Step 7: Feeding the Poor or Brahmins Giving: food groceries clothes to the needy enhances the blessings of Thai Amavasai.

Step 8: Charity and Donations You may donate: Sesame seeds Rice Food items Money Blankets Charity performed on this day is considered very sacred.

Step 9: Breaking the Fast Many devotees observe a simple fast: Fruits Milk Light food No non-veg No onion or garlic Break the fast after completing the rituals.

Do’s Wake up early and keep the mind calm. Offer sesame seeds during tarpanam. Pray for ancestors sincerely. Maintain purity and cleanliness. Engage in charity. Offer food to the poor and crows.

Don’ts Do not eat non-vegetarian food. Avoid alcohol or intoxicants. Avoid anger, arguments, and negative behavior. Do not harm animals or birds. Avoid cutting nails or hair during the day.

Allowed Fruits Milk, curd, ghee Rice, dal, vegetables Sesame-based preparations

Not Allowed Non-veg food Onion, garlic Preservative-heavy items Alcohol Fried junk food

The day should be kept pure and simple.

Many devotees visit sacred temples to perform Pitru rituals. Popular Temples for Thai Amavasai Rameswaram

Thiruvallur Veera Raghava Temple

Trichy Srirangam Temple

Thiruvannamalai Arunachaleshwarar Temple

Kanyakumari

Mahabalipuram shore

Pilgrimages enhance spiritual merit.

1. Ancestral Blessings Performing rituals grants: peace to ancestors

protection for the family

2. Removal of Pitru Dosha Thai Amavasai is powerful for balancing issues caused by: unfulfilled wishes of ancestors improper last rites

3. Family Prosperity The blessings received help in: financial stability property matters career growth success in business

4. Health Benefits Devotees experience improvements in: emotional healing mental stability physical healthy

5. Spiritual Growth Practicing silence, meditation, and puja on this day enhances: inner peace karmic purification connection with divine energies

6. Peace at Home Ancestor blessings help reduce: conflicts misunderstandings negative vibrations

1. Offering “Pindam” Rice balls are offered to ancestors.
2. Feeding Crows Crows symbolize ancestral presence.
3. Going to the Seashore The ocean is believed to hold powerful cleansing energy.
4. Collective Tarpanam Many temples arrange group rituals.
5. Lighting Lamps for Ancestors A lamp is kept in the south direction.

“May my ancestors be at peace. May they bless our family with health, prosperity, and harmony. Let all negative energies be removed. Let our home be filled with light and blessings.”

Thai Amavasai is a deeply spiritual day dedicated to honoring and remembering ancestors. Observing Thai Amavasai in 2026 with sincerity—through tarpanam, prayers, charity, and simple rituals—can bring profound blessings, remove obstacles, and promote peace, prosperity, and spiritual upliftment in one’s life. By connecting with your ancestral lineage, you invite divine protection and harmony into your home, making Thai Amavasai one of the most important spiritual observances of the year.