Pausha Amavasya 2025: The most powerful day to appease ancestors and the rare benefits of fasting
Pausha Amavasya 2025: While all the new moon days of the year are significant in Hinduism, the new moon day falling in the month of Pausha is considered supreme. This year, Pausha Amavasya will be celebrated on Friday, December 19, 2025. In North India, it is considered a very sacred and fruitful day because on this day, the ancestors are most active and shower their blessings on their children. Bathing in the Ganges, donating sesame seeds, offering tarpan, and fasting hold special significance.
Why is Pausha Amavasya so special?
Pausha Amavasya is the month of preparation for the Uttarayan of Lord Surya himself. Makar Sankranti also falls in this month. Therefore, Pausha Amavasya is considered as influential as Pitru Paksha. The scriptures state that offering tarpan and shraddha performed on this day immediately brings peace to the souls of the ancestors and they bestow abundant blessings on their children. In many places, it is also called “Mahalaya Amavasya” or “Pitru Amavasya.”
Be sure to do these small things on this day
On this day, wake up before sunrise and take a bath in a holy river. If the river is far away, bathe at home by mixing Ganga water in the water. Perform Tarpan for the ancestors with black sesame seeds, barley, milk, honey, and Kusha grass. Donating sesame seeds, feeding Brahmins, and feeding jaggery and roti to a cow is extremely virtuous. Don’t forget to light a lamp under a Peepal tree in the evening.
Fasting brings these five major benefits
Those who observe the fast on Paush Amavasya receive many rare benefits in life. This fast brings wonderful results not only spiritually but also physically and family wise.
First benefit – All sins of life are destroyed. By fasting on this day, either without food or on fruits, all sins committed knowingly or unknowingly are destroyed. One’s mind becomes lighter, and virtuous deeds begin to accumulate rapidly.
Second Benefit – Freedom from Pitru Dosha and Receiving Blessings: Performing Tarpan (offerings) and fasting for ancestors eliminates ancestral curses that have been lingering in the family. Problems like obstacles in having children, obstacles in employment and business, and family disputes are all eliminated. The ancestors, pleased, bless their children with wealth, health, and a long life.
Third Benefit – Amazing Mental Peace and Concentration: Fasting, chanting, and meditating on this day calms the mind from within. Anxiety, stress, and negative thoughts are driven away. The person sleeps well and remains positively energized throughout the day.
Fourth Benefit – Paving the path to spiritual progress and salvation: The fast on this Amavasya is considered special for attaining salvation. Regularly observing this fast leads to a shift in the mind toward devotion and knowledge. They understand the true purpose of life, and their soul attains salvation even after death.
Fifth Benefit – A shower of wealth, prosperity, and happiness in the home. The fast strengthens the financial situation of the household. Pending tasks are completed, jobs and businesses prosper, and peace and happiness prevail in the family. Many people even report unexpected financial gains from donations and fasting on this day.
What Not to Do on This Day
Consumption of meat, alcohol, garlic, and onions is prohibited on this day. Lying, anger, or insulting anyone should also be avoided. Before going to bed at night, ask for forgiveness from your ancestors.
This sacred festival of Paush Amavasya gives our lives new direction and renewed energy. This one-day fast and worship ensures the blessings of our ancestors throughout the year, and all obstacles in life are automatically removed. Don’t miss this rare opportunity on December 19, 2025.