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Sarvapitri Amavasya, which falls during the Pitr Paksha period, holds special religious significance. It is the last day of Pitr Paksha when Shraddha, Tarpan, and Pindadaan rituals are performed for all ancestors whose date of death is unknown or whose Shraddha was not conducted in a timely manner.

In 2026, Sarvapitri Amavasya will be observed on October 10, a Saturday. This day is also known as Mahalaya Amavasya and marks the conclusion of Pitr Paksha.

Specifics of Sarvapitri Amavasya

According to religious traditions, this day is considered special for ancestors whose dates of death are forgotten or whose Shraddha was missed for any reason. According to the religious Panchang, if an ancestor's date of death is unknown or Shraddha was not performed on the correct day, they can be honored on the day of Sarvapitri Amavasya. On this day, it is customary to remember all known and unknown ancestors and reverently perform Tarpan and Shraddha.

What should be done on Sarvapitri Amavasya?

On this day, Tarpan, Pindadaan, and Shraddha rituals can be performed according to family traditions and the priest's advice. There is a tradition of offering Tarpan with water and sesame seeds while remembering ancestors. Furthermore, in many families, it is customary to feed cows, crows, and dogs during Shraddha, as well as donate grains and clothes to the needy. In some regions, this is connected to the Panchbali tradition.

If resources and family tradition allow, a meal can be organized for Brahmins and they can be offered tribute. If there is no possibility to arrange such a feast at home, one can reverently donate food and grain to a temple or a needy person.

Dietary Questions Before Shraddha

The rule regarding whether to abstain from food before Shraddha is not universal for all families. Some traditional methods recommend moderation and consuming sattvic food for the person performing Shraddha, while other traditions have the practice of fasting until the completion of the Shraddha ritual. However, this should not be presented as a mandatory rule for every individual. Rules may vary depending on the fast, health, age, and family tradition. Therefore, if you are performing Shraddha according to all rules, you should consult your priest in advance about when to eat within this procedure.

Who can act as the Shraddharta?

Different Dharmic traditions have varying protocols regarding who can be the Shraddharta. Generally, the tradition of the son performing the Shraddha has prevailed, but there are mentions that other close relatives can perform this rite in the absence of a son. In some traditions, a wife, daughter, or other family members can also perform the Shraddha under special circumstances. Thus, it cannot be asserted that only the eldest son can perform the Shraddha in every situation. The choice of the Shraddharta is determined by family tradition and the corresponding ritual.

If there are multiple sons in the family, there are different traditions regarding sons living separately. In such a situation, it is most appropriate to consult a local priest about the correct procedure.

What diet should be followed during Pitr Paksha?

Many families have a tradition of consuming sattvic and moderate food during Pitr Paksha. Special attention is paid to the purity and method of cooking food on the day of Shraddha. The tradition of avoiding meat and alcohol is widespread. Nevertheless, rules regarding onions, garlic, lentils, urad, and chickpeas or other products may differ depending on the region and family tradition. Therefore, it is incorrect to call this a universal classical prohibition for every family.

Important Actions on Sarvapitri Amavasya

Part of the tradition of many families is reading religious texts and remembering God during Pitr Paksha. One can reverently read the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. However, it is not entirely accurate to state that sacred scriptures mandate reading all 18 chapters of the Bhagavad Gita or specifically only the seventh chapter on the day of Sarvapitri Amavasya. It is more appropriate for a person to read the Bhagavad Gita, practice mantras, or remember God according to their faith and family tradition.

There are descriptions in religious texts and Puranas regarding the final stage of Kali Yuga. According to these descriptions, as the peak of Kali Yuga approaches, concepts such as religion, truth, compassion, purity, forgiveness gradually decline, and human lifespan also decreases.

The question arises as to what the end of Kali Yuga will be like: will seas and rivers dry up? And what will be the greatest question—how will the incarnation of God Vishnu as Kalki occur amidst this universal lawlessness? The following narrative presents the last time of Kali Yuga, as described in the Puranas.

When the age of 20 becomes a sign of old age

In religious scriptures, the final stage of Kali Yuga is depicted as extremely grim. There is a belief that during this period, people's lifespans will steadily shorten. If today the age of 20 is considered the beginning of youth, then at the final stage of Kali Yuga, this age will be viewed as being close to the end of life.

It is said that signs of premature aging will begin to appear in people. Hair will start turning gray at an early age, and physical strength will rapidly weaken. That is, at the moment when today's youth thinks about building a career and a future, the person will already be close to the end of their existence.

Weakening of relationships and family

Sacred texts also contain descriptions of the decline of social and family values in the last times of Kali Yuga. Qualities such as religion, truth, purity, compassion, forgiveness, and self-control gradually disappear. Trust and respect between spouses also decrease.

People begin to prioritize egoism and personal desires over relationships. Wealth and personal gain are valued more than family. Religious descriptions even assert that recognition of good character will then be determined not by a person's behavior, but by whether they have money.

Wealth will become the main measure

In the final phase of Kali Yuga, money will become the main criterion for prestige. The more money a person has, the more influential and virtuous society considers them. The status of their family and lineage will also be determined by their financial situation. Meanwhile, poor people will be considered unworthy and humiliated.

For money, people will turn against their own relatives and friends. Greed will increase to such an extent that a person will not make any concessions for their own egoism.

Dominance of lawlessness over religion

It is asserted that the number of people observing religion in the last times of Kali Yuga will be extremely low. People may talk about the provisions of religious texts and Vedas, but their lives will not conform to these principles. Some religious teachers will use people for their own interests. They will speak of knowledge, but their behavior will lack religion and virtue. Meanwhile, cunning, greedy, and selfish people will be considered wise and successful. Even grain growth on the earth will become difficult.

The Puranas also describe natural imbalance in the final stage of Kali Yuga. It is believed that the fertility of the land will decrease, affecting food production. Rains will become irregular, and the climate will be disrupted. There will be intense heat in some places and severe cold in others. Storms, floods, and other natural disasters may increase. Some religious descriptions even state that the intensity of the sun will increase so much that rivers and seas will begin to dry up.

Local ponds will gain importance instead of holy places

Religious descriptions related to the end of Kali Yuga also mention that people's religious faith and traditions will undergo changes such that they will begin to forget the significance of sacred shrines. People will start considering small bodies of water near them as sacred instead of distant holy rivers and pilgrimage sites. This description points not only to geographical changes but also to shifts in human mindset and religious values at that time.

Kali Purusha will become the main symbol of Kali Yuga

In religious beliefs, Kali Purusha is considered the symbol of the lawlessness and vices of Kali Yuga. As lawlessness grows, the power of Kali will increase. Her influence will begin to affect people's thoughts and behavior. People will gradually start following the path of greed, anger, violence, deceit, and egoism. It is said that Kali Purusha will gain the greatest power precisely from lawlessness. The more lawlessness there is, the stronger her influence.

The incarnation of God Kalki will come

However, Sanatana tradition always states that whenever lawlessness increases, God incarnates to restore religion. At the end of Kali Yuga, the incarnation of God Vishnu as Kalki is expected. According to religious texts, when lawlessness reaches its peak and religion is almost gone, God Kalki will appear, destroy the lawlessness, and re-establish religion. It is believed that God Kalki will appear riding a white horse called Devadatta. He will hold a sword in his hand to destroy lawlessness and tyranny.