Last day of Pitrupaksha; offer shraddha for all ancestors

Sarva Pitru Amavasya, also called Mahalaya Amavasya or Sarva Pitru Moksha Amavasya, is the final and most important day of Pitrupaksha. On this day shraddha may be offered for all ancestors of the family together — especially those whose tithi of death is unknown or was missed earlier in the fortnight, those who died on Purnima or Amavasya, and those who died naturally on a Chaturdashi. It is the one day that covers every forebear, and so no family is left without a way to fulfil its duty. The Garuda and Vayu Puranas describe the Pitru waiting at the threshold of their descendants' homes through the fortnight, and on Amavasya returning to Pitruloka; if they leave unsatisfied, their sorrow is felt in the family as obstacles and loss. The karta offers tarpan of water and black sesame and pinda of cooked rice in the aparahna, with the sacred thread worn to the right, and feeds brahmins, cows, crows and dogs. Many perform shraddha at sacred tirthas such as Gaya, Haridwar, Prayagraj or Varanasi on this day.

The karta observes satvik purity and often fasts until the shraddha is complete.