Names of the 12 Amavasya in English

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Amavasya is an important day in the Hindu lunar calendar. It is the phase when the Moon is not visible in the night sky and one lunar cycle comes to an end. In Hindu traditions, Amavasya is often associated with prayers, charity, fasting, meditation and remembrance of ancestors.

There are generally twelve Amavasya days in a lunar year, with each one connected to a particular Hindu month. Some Amavasya days also have special names because of the weekday on which they occur or the religious tradition associated with them.

If you are looking for the names of the 12 Amavasya in English, the list below provides the month-wise names along with their commonly observed significance.

Names of the 12 Amavasya in English

Here is a simple list of the twelve Amavasya names according to the Hindu lunar months:

No.	Amavasya Name in English	Hindu Month
1	Chaitra Amavasya	Chaitra
2	Vaishakha Amavasya	Vaishakha
3	Jyeshtha Amavasya	Jyeshtha
4	Ashadha Amavasya	Ashadha
5	Shravana Amavasya	Shravana
6	Bhadrapada Amavasya	Bhadrapada
7	Ashwin Amavasya	Ashwin
8	Kartika Amavasya	Kartika
9	Margashirsha Amavasya	Margashirsha
10	Pausha Amavasya	Pausha
11	Magha Amavasya	Magha
12	Phalguna Amavasya	Phalguna

1. Chaitra Amavasya

Chaitra Amavasya occurs during the Hindu month of Chaitra. It is observed by devotees through prayers, charity and spiritual activities. Some families also use this day to remember their ancestors and perform traditional offerings.

As Chaitra is an important month in the Hindu calendar, this Amavasya also holds significance for devotees beginning a new phase of the religious year.

2. Vaishakha Amavasya

Vaishakha Amavasya falls in the month of Vaishakha. Devotees may begin the day with a sacred bath and spend time in prayer or meditation.

Giving food, clothes or other useful items to people in need is another practice followed by many families. Ancestor-related rituals may also be performed according to family traditions.

3. Jyeshtha Amavasya

Jyeshtha Amavasya occurs during the hot summer month of Jyeshtha. This Amavasya is associated with several regional religious traditions.

In some parts of India, the period is connected with Vat Savitri-related observances. However, the exact date and customs can differ depending on the regional calendar.

4. Ashadha Amavasya

Ashadha Amavasya comes during the month of Ashadha. It is generally considered a suitable occasion for religious activities, charity and remembering ancestors.

Devotees may visit temples, offer prayers and participate in traditional rituals followed by their families.

5. Shravana Amavasya

Shravana Amavasya occurs during the month of Shravana and is popularly known as Hariyali Amavasya in several regions.

The name Hariyali refers to greenery, making this day closely connected with the monsoon season and nature. Planting trees, caring for plants and participating in religious activities are common traditions in some communities.

6. Bhadrapada Amavasya

Bhadrapada Amavasya falls in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada. Depending on the region, this Amavasya may be connected with traditions such as Pithori Amavasya or Kusha-related observances.

Families may perform prayers, charity and rituals associated with ancestors. Local customs can vary considerably, so the practices followed on this day are not identical throughout India.

7. Ashwin Amavasya

Ashwin Amavasya has special importance because it is associated with Mahalaya Amavasya and Sarva Pitru Amavasya in different traditions.

It is particularly significant for ancestor remembrance. People may perform Shraddha, Tarpan or other family rituals to pay respect to departed ancestors.

For many families, this Amavasya represents an important concluding point of Pitru Paksha observances.

8. Kartika Amavasya

Kartika Amavasya is one of the most widely recognized Amavasya days because Diwali is celebrated on this lunar date in many Hindu traditions.

Homes are decorated with diyas and lights, and families perform Lakshmi-Ganesha Puja. The day is associated with prosperity, light and the beginning of a festive period.

Because of its connection with Diwali, Kartika Amavasya is among the most famous Amavasya observances in India.

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9. Margashirsha Amavasya

Margashirsha Amavasya occurs during the month of Margashirsha. Devotees may observe the day through prayer, meditation, charity and ancestor-related rituals.

The way this Amavasya is observed can differ between families and regions. Some people prefer to spend the day in spiritual activities and charitable work.

10. Pausha Amavasya

Pausha Amavasya falls in the winter month of Pausha. Traditional observances may include bathing, prayer, charity and offerings made in memory of ancestors.

For devotees who follow Amavasya fasting or other personal religious practices, Pausha Amavasya can be an important day for spiritual discipline.

11. Magha Amavasya

Magha Amavasya is widely known as Mauni Amavasya. It is one of the most significant Amavasya observances in the Hindu calendar.

The word “Mauni” is associated with silence. Some devotees observe silence, meditation and spiritual practices on this day. Taking a holy bath is also an important tradition, particularly at sacred pilgrimage locations.

12. Phalguna Amavasya

Phalguna Amavasya comes during the final month of the traditional Hindu lunar cycle. Devotees may observe it with prayers, charity and remembrance of ancestors.

As Phalguna is associated with several important seasonal and religious events, this Amavasya also marks an important point in the annual Hindu calendar.

Special Amavasya Names Apart From the 12 Monthly Amavasyas

The twelve monthly Amavasya names are based mainly on the Hindu lunar months. However, some Amavasya days receive additional names depending on the day of the week or the particular religious practice connected with them.

Somvati Amavasya

When Amavasya falls on a Monday, it is called Somvati Amavasya. It is considered an auspicious occasion by many devotees. People may observe fasting, offer prayers and perform traditional rituals.

Shani Amavasya

When Amavasya occurs on a Saturday, it is known as Shani Amavasya. Devotees who follow this tradition worship Lord Shani and may perform charity or other religious activities.

Mauni Amavasya

Magha Amavasya is commonly referred to as Mauni Amavasya. Silence, meditation, prayer and holy bathing are among the practices associated with this day.

Hariyali Amavasya

Shravana Amavasya is popularly called Hariyali Amavasya in several parts of India. The day is connected with greenery, the monsoon season and nature-related traditions.

Mahalaya Amavasya

Mahalaya Amavasya is associated with the end of Pitru Paksha in many Hindu calendar traditions. It is considered an important day for offering prayers and performing rituals in memory of ancestors.

Diwali Amavasya

Kartika Amavasya is popularly connected with Diwali, the festival of lights. Lakshmi Puja is an important part of Diwali celebrations for many Hindu families.

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Why Is Amavasya Considered Important?

Amavasya has a special place in Hindu religious traditions. Since it represents the end of the Moon’s waning phase, many people consider it a suitable day for reflection and spiritual practices.

Common activities associated with Amavasya include:

• Offering prayers at home or in a temple
• Remembering and honouring ancestors
• Performing Pitru Tarpan according to family traditions
• Taking a holy bath
• Donating food, clothes or other useful items
• Fasting according to personal religious practice
• Spending time in meditation and spiritual activities

It is important to remember that Amavasya customs are not exactly the same across India. Different communities follow different Panchang traditions and family customs.

Amavasya and Ancestor Worship

One of the strongest traditional associations of Amavasya is with ancestor remembrance.

Some Hindu families perform Pitru Tarpan or other rituals to express respect for their departed family members. These rituals may involve offerings of water, food and other items according to the family’s religious tradition.

Mahalaya Amavasya, in particular, has a major connection with Pitru Paksha and ancestor-related observances.

How Many Amavasya Are There in a Year?

A normal lunar year generally contains 12 Amavasya. However, the Hindu calendar includes the concept of Adhik Maas, an additional lunar month that is inserted periodically to keep the lunar and solar calendars aligned.

Because of this calendar system, certain years can have an additional Amavasya.

Are the Amavasya Dates the Same Across India?

Not always. Hindu lunar calendars are calculated according to traditional regional systems, and the month associated with an Amavasya can differ between regions.

The two commonly discussed systems are the Amanta and Purnimanta calendar traditions. Therefore, people checking an Amavasya date should use a reliable Panchang applicable to their location.

Names of the 12 Amavasya in English: Quick Reference

For a quick answer, here are the names of the 12 Amavasya in English:

1. Chaitra Amavasya
2. Vaishakha Amavasya
3. Jyeshtha Amavasya
4. Ashadha Amavasya
5. Shravana Amavasya
6. Bhadrapada Amavasya
7. Ashwin Amavasya
8. Kartika Amavasya
9. Margashirsha Amavasya
10. Pausha Amavasya
11. Magha Amavasya
12. Phalguna Amavasya

Faq’s

What is Amavasya called in English?

Amavasya is commonly called New Moon or New Moon Day in English.

What are the names of the 12 Amavasya?

The twelve monthly Amavasyas are Chaitra, Vaishakha, Jyeshtha, Ashadha, Shravana, Bhadrapada, Ashwin, Kartika, Margashirsha, Pausha, Magha and Phalguna Amavasya.

Which Amavasya is celebrated as Diwali?

Kartika Amavasya is associated with Diwali in many Hindu traditions.

Which Amavasya is called Mauni Amavasya?

Magha Amavasya is commonly known as Mauni Amavasya.

What is Somvati Amavasya?

An Amavasya that falls on a Monday is traditionally called Somvati Amavasya.

What is Shani Amavasya?

When Amavasya occurs on a Saturday, it is known as Shani Amavasya.

Final Thoughts

The names of the 12 Amavasya in English are based on the twelve Hindu lunar months. Although each Amavasya marks the New Moon phase, individual days can have different religious importance depending on the month, weekday and regional traditions.

Among them, Mauni Amavasya, Hariyali Amavasya, Mahalaya Amavasya and Kartika Amavasya are particularly well known. Somvati Amavasya and Shani Amavasya receive their names from the weekday on which Amavasya occurs.

If you are planning to observe an Amavasya fast, puja or ancestral ritual, it is best to check the local Panchang for the exact tithi, timing and regional customs.