The celebration of the ancestral veneration cycle concludes on the day of Sarva Pitru Amavasya, which holds special significance in Hinduism. This date is important even for those who do not know the exact date of their ancestors' deaths or could not perform Shraaddha rituals on the designated day. Furthermore, memorial rites for deceased relatives are performed on this day. According to religious beliefs, performing Shraaddha, Tarpana, and charity on Amavasya brings the blessings of the ancestors.
There are numerous legends associated with Sarva Pitru Amavasya in Hinduism, and the greatness of this day is described in the 14th chapter of the Matsya Purana. Specifically, it tells the story of how the daughter of the ancestors, Akkhodada, was forced to descend from heaven to Earth due to her actions. This mythological story is presented below.
Sarva Pitru Amavasya Date 2026
According to the Drik Panchang, the Amavasya of the Ashwin month will begin on October 9, 2026, at 21:35 and end on October 10 at 21:19. Thus, according to the ascending date, Sarva Pitru Amavasya will be celebrated on October 10, 2026, on Saturday. This day is considered auspicious for performing rituals for ancestors and giving alms to the needy.
Mythological Story of Sarva Pitru Amavasya
According to the plot laid out in the Matsya Purana, in ancient times, ancestors connected to the lineage of Marichi resided in the world of Sompat. These ancestors, known as Agnishvatta, were revered even by the gods. A river named Akkhodada flowed in this world, which was called the मानस-daughter of the ancestors. The ancestors also built a lake there named Akkhodada.
According to the narrative, Akkhodada practiced strict asceticism for a thousand divine years. The joy derived from her practice prompted the ancestors to appear and bestow their blessings upon her. All the ancestors were in a divine form. Seeing their appearance and radiance, Akkhodada felt an attraction towards them and expressed a desire to live with them.
The Reason for Akkhodada's Descent from Heaven to Earth
Due to an inappropriate attachment to the ancestors, the influence of Akkhodada's asceticism weakened, and she was forced to fall from heaven to Earth. This caused her deep sorrow and shame. Legend has it that the day when the pitr named Amavasu refused her wish to live with them became known as Amavasya. It is because of this incident that Amavasya is considered a particularly beloved day for the ancestors.
There is a religious belief that rituals and other actions performed on this day never cease.
After arriving on Earth, Akkhodada grieved deeply over the destruction of her asceticism. She began to pray to the ancestors for the possibility of regaining her place in the world of ancestors. Seeing her suffering, the ancestors explained to her that the fruits of good and bad deeds performed in a divine form are realized in the same divine stage, whereas the results of actions in human birth can be obtained after death in subsequent lives.
Blessing of Special Status in the Next Birth
The ancestors informed Akkhodada that in the 28th cycle of Dwarapara, she would be born as a fish due to the violation of ancestral morality. However, after this, she would be freed from this state and become the daughter of King Uprichara Vasu. Subsequently, her fate would be linked with the sage Parashara, and she would give birth to a great son known as Badrayana, who is known as Rishi Vedidhhyasa. According to religious beliefs, Vedidhhyasa systematized the Vedas into four parts. According to the Purana, Akkhodada would be born as Satyavati. After marrying King Shantanu, she would give birth to two sons—Chitrangada and Vichitravirya. Later, her lineage would be connected to Dhritarashtra and Pandu, whose sons play a central role in the Mahabharata epic.
The ancestors also assured Akkhodada that in the future, she would be born as a sacred river and would be known by the name Akkhodada. Thus, she would have the opportunity to achieve a high status in the future, in addition to the consequences of her past deeds. After bestowing the blessings, the ancestors disappeared, and Akkhodada received the fruits of the aforementioned deeds.