Devotees across India will observe Sawan Amavasya, also known as Hariyali Amavasya, on August 12, 2026 this year. Every amavasya tithi that falls during the month is considered auspicious for a holy bath, charity and rituals for departed ancestors, but the one that falls in the Sawan month carries even greater significance because it is also linked with special worship of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is believed that bathing, donating and performing tarpan for ancestors on this day brings both religious merit and relief from pitru dosh. Here is when the tithi begins and ends, and which muhurats are considered most auspicious for the bath and donation rituals this year.
When does the Amavasya tithi begin and end
According to the Hindu calendar, the Amavasya tithi of Krishna Paksha in the Sawan month will begin at 1:52 am on August 12, and will end the same day at 11:06 pm. Since Hindu festivals are determined by udayatithi, meaning the date on which the tithi is prevailing at sunrise, the fast and rituals of Sawan Amavasya, or Hariyali Amavasya, will be observed on August 12, 2026.
Auspicious muhurats for the holy bath and donations
The period of merit on Hariyali Amavasya begins early in the morning. The Brahma Muhurat will run from 4:23 am to 5:06 am, and bathing during this window is considered the most beneficial. However, there is no Abhijit Muhurat on this particular day this year, so devotees are advised to plan their bath and donations around the other auspicious windows listed below.
- Char-Samanya Muhurat: 05:38 am to 07:20 am
- Labh-Unnati Muhurat: 07:20 am to 09:03 am
- Amrit-Sarvottam Muhurat: 09:03 am to 10:45 am
- Shubh-Uttam Muhurat: 12:27 pm to 02:10 pm
Bathing during any of these four windows and then donating sesame seeds, clothes, grain or money is considered especially meritorious. Those who cannot bathe early in the morning can also complete these rituals during the Shubh-Uttam Muhurat in the afternoon.
Rituals to follow on Hariyali Amavasya
Certain practices on Hariyali Amavasya are believed to bring happiness and prosperity into one's life.
- Take a bath in a holy river on this day. If that is not possible, mix Gangajal into the bathing water at home.
- After the bath, donate sesame seeds, clothes, grain or money, which is considered to bring religious merit.
- Offer Gangajal, milk, bel leaves and dhatura on the Shivling. Performing Jalabhishek of the Shivling on this day is believed to fulfil all wishes.
- Facing south, mix black sesame seeds into water and perform tarpan for ancestors. Afterwards, feeding Brahmins or donating grain to the needy is considered auspicious, as it is believed to free one from pitru dosh and bring the blessings of ancestors.
- True to its name, Hariyali Amavasya is considered an especially good day for planting trees. Saplings of peepal, banyan, neem, amla or shami can be planted on this day.
Why tarpan and tree planting matter on this day
According to astrological beliefs, Sawan Amavasya is considered one of the most suitable days for pleasing one's ancestors. Performing tarpan and pind daan is believed to bring peace to the souls of forefathers and ease troubles within the family. The tradition of planting saplings on Hariyali Amavasya is also tied to environmental conservation, which is why this special day in the month of Sawan came to be known as Hariyali Amavasya.
