The Shravana Amavasya, also known as Hariyali Amavasya, falls in the Krishna Paksha of the Shravan month and is viewed as a day of devotion, remembrance of ancestors and gratitude towards nature. The season of rain, the spread of greenery and the opportunity for worship all come together on this new moon day. In the year 2026 Shravana Amavasya will be observed on Wednesday, 12 August 2026, when the Amavasya tithi will remain in effect throughout the day.
Shravana Amavasya 2026: Date and Amavasya Tithi Timings
For New Delhi and most parts of India the main timings for Shravana Amavasya 2026 can be summarised as follows.
| Detail | Date | Time |
|---|
| Shravana Amavasya | 12 August 2026, Wednesday | Considered auspicious for observances throughout the day |
| Amavasya tithi begins | 12 August 2026 | At 01:55:26 in the early morning |
| Amavasya tithi ends | 12 August 2026 | At 23:08:24 in the late night |
Thus the Amavasya tithi begins before sunrise and continues until late night. The morning and daytime are suitable for ancestral offerings, charity, tree planting and various forms of worship. The evening period lends itself well to lamp offering, quiet prayer and introspection.
Connection between Shravana Amavasya and Hariyali Amavasya
In the Hindu calendar Shravan is known as the fifth month. The new moon of this month is called Shravana Amavasya. At this time the rainy season is at its peak. The earth is covered with a green mantle and life seems to move with renewed energy in fields, gardens and forests. Because of this abundant greenery, this Amavasya is also called Hariyali Amavasya.
On this day devotees offer prayers to various deities and to the divine forces within nature. They seek blessings for good rainfall, healthy crops and a balanced climate. In a modern understanding, the festival serves as a reminder of human responsibility towards the environment. Worship of Lord Shiva and offerings for the ancestors together give Shravana Amavasya a very special flavour.
Why Is Worship of Lord Shiva on Shravana Amavasya Considered Auspicious?
The month of Shravan is traditionally dear to Lord Shiva. Therefore all acts of Shiva worship during this month are believed to bring heightened merit. On Amavasya night the absence of the visible Moon symbolically points to inner shadows and fluctuations of the mind. Meditation on Shiva during such a time can help awaken a steady centre within.
On Shravana Amavasya devotees perform abhishek of the Shiva Lingam with water, milk and Ganga water. They offer Bilva leaves, Datura, fruits, incense, lamp and food offerings with a quiet mind. Mantras such as “Om Namah Shivaya” or the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra, as well as other Shiva hymns, are chanted for peace and strength. Worship performed on this day is believed to support the inner capacity to face challenges with patience.
How to Observe Shravana Amavasya Vrat and Puja?
For those who wish to keep a fast and perform worship on Shravana Amavasya, a few guiding steps can be helpful. The day is not only about abstaining from food. It is also an opportunity for a conscious and gentle style of living.
Morning Bath, Tarpan and Offering to the Sun
- Bathe in a sacred river, lake or pond if possible. Otherwise bathe at home with a focused and respectful attitude, using clean water and, if available, a few drops of Ganga water.
- After the bath offer water to the Sun as Arghya, accompanied by a simple prayer for clarity and energy.
- Then perform tarpan for ancestors, using water, black sesame seeds and sacred grass, praying for their peace and upliftment.
In this way the day begins with remembrance of both the divine and the ancestral lineage.
Fasting and Charity
Many devotees choose to fast on Shravana Amavasya. Some remain on fruits and light items, while others take only one simple meal in the day. The purpose of the fast is not self punishment but a gentle training of the senses and the mind.
- Feeding the poor or a suitable recipient in the name of the ancestors is regarded as very meritorious.
- Donating food, clothes or other basic necessities is also encouraged.
- Along with such actions, maintaining truthfulness, patience and kindness is seen as the true strength of the vrata.
Worship of Trees and Tree Planting
Because Shravana Amavasya is also Hariyali Amavasya, respect for trees and plants is central to this observance.
- Worshipping the Peepal tree and circumambulating it is a well known practice. Peepal is regarded as a seat of divine presence, so offering water and lighting a lamp at its base is considered auspicious.
- Planting trees such as Peepal, Banyan, Lemon, Banana and Tulsi is recommended, as these are believed to be associated with various deities.
- Caring for the planted saplings in the days and months ahead is an essential part of the spiritual commitment.
Which Nakshatras Are Considered Auspicious for Tree Planting?
Traditional texts speak of certain nakshatras as helpful for planting trees. When Shravana Amavasya coincides with any of these, the time is considered especially favourable.
| Purpose | Auspicious nakshatras |
|---|
| General tree planting | Uttara Phalguni, Uttara Ashadha, Uttara Bhadrapada |
| Stability and prosperity | Rohini, Mrigashira, Chitra, Revati |
| Spiritual and religious work | Anuradha, Moola, Vishakha, Pushya, Ashwini, Shravana, Hasta |
Trees planted under these influences are believed to give steady benefit over a long period. At the same time, thoughtful placement and ongoing care are what truly bring both environmental and spiritual benefit.
Simple Acts of Service on Shravana Amavasya
Shravana Amavasya is not limited to formal rituals. It also encourages small acts of kindness towards all forms of life.
- Offering small balls of dough to fish in a nearby pond or river can be a gentle way to remember dependence of many creatures on water and on human care.
- Feeding flour or sugar to ants near the home serves as a reminder of the value of even the smallest lives in the larger web of existence.
- Visiting a Hanuman temple, reciting the Hanuman Chalisa and offering vermilion and jasmine oil are also practised on this day for courage and protection.
These actions are not meant as quick fixes but as gradual training in compassion and sensitivity.
Religious and Environmental Significance of Shravana Amavasya
From a religious viewpoint Shravana Amavasya is important for ancestor rites, worship of Lord Shiva and acts of giving. From an environmental perspective it can be seen as a festival of greenery. The renewed beauty of the earth during the rainy season naturally reminds humans to preserve this balance through care for water, soil and trees.
The very name Hariyali Amavasya highlights gratitude towards trees. Whoever plants even a single sapling on this day and tends to it with care contributes in a real way to the wellbeing of the surroundings and of future generations.
Inner Message of Shravana Amavasya 2026
Shravana Amavasya 2026 offers a pause from the usual rhythm of life. Ancestor offerings, worship of deities, tree planting and charity all work together to shift attention from constant acquisition towards gratitude and sharing.
A person who spends this day with simple yet sincere intentions may find that it quietly marks the beginning of a more settled phase. The essence of Shravana Amavasya can be expressed in the thought that when the earth becomes green, the mind too should become green, filled with thankfulness, compassion and moderation.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Shravana Amavasya be observed in 2026 and what are the tithi timings?
Shravana Amavasya in 2026 will be observed on Wednesday, 12 August 2026. The Amavasya tithi begins at 01:55:26 in the early morning and ends at 23:08:24 the same night.
Why is Shravana Amavasya also called Hariyali Amavasya?
Because it occurs in the month of Shravan, during the peak of the rainy season, when the earth is richly covered with greenery and the festival naturally honours trees and plant life.
Which main religious acts are advised on this day?
A sacred bath, offering water to the Sun, tarpan for ancestors, abhishek of the Shiva Lingam, charity, worship of Peepal and other sacred trees and recitation of Hanuman Chalisa are all considered appropriate.
Which trees are especially recommended for planting on Shravana Amavasya?
Peepal, Banyan, Neem, Lemon, Banana and Tulsi are commonly recommended because they are associated with divine presence and offer long term benefit to health and environment.
What is the spiritual fruit of fasting on Shravana Amavasya?
Fasting with sincerity, accompanied by tarpan, charity and worship, is believed to support peace for ancestors, inner balance, smoother progress in family matters and a deeper sense of gratitude in daily life.
