About Amavasya Tarpanam
What is Amavasya Tarpanam?
Amavasya Tarpanam is the monthly offering of water with sesame seeds (tila tarpanam) to the ancestors on the new-moon day, done by sons and grandsons for three generations on both sides of the family.
Amavasya is the day the pitrus are closest to the earth. Tarpanam satisfies them and is believed to remove pitru dosha and bring their blessings on the family.
Benefits
- Peace and satisfaction of the ancestors
- Relief from pitru dosha
- Blessings of the ancestors for the family
When to perform
- Every Amavasya
- Mahalaya Amavasya, Thai/Aadi Amavasya and solar/lunar eclipses
How Amavasya Tarpanam is performed
- Achamanam and sankalpam
- Prachinaveeti (sacred thread on the right shoulder)
- Invocation of three generations of pitrus
- Tila tarpanam with water and black sesame
- Pinda or rice offering (where followed)
- Dakshina and dana
Amavasya Tarpanam samagri list
- Black sesame seeds — 100 g
- Darbha grass — a bunch
- Copper or brass vessel and plate
- Raw rice and ghee
- Names and gotram of the ancestors
Do’s and don’ts
✅ Do
- Keep the names of three generations of paternal and maternal ancestors ready
❌ Avoid
- Avoid onion, garlic and non-vegetarian food on the day
Frequently asked questions
How much does Amavasya Tarpanam cost?
Amavasya Tarpanam with a verified Stuti Mandir pandit starts from ₹2,100 as pandit dakshina, for about 45 minutes to 1 hour. The price can be a little higher outside the metro cities, live video pujas cost less than a home visit, and the full bill is shown before you pay.
Who can perform Amavasya Tarpanam?
Traditionally a son or grandson whose father has passed away; your pandit advises for your family situation.