Note: Shannavathi(tharpana) Thithi falls on the day when there is a balance of 20 Naazhigai i.e. 8 hours which is calculated from sun-rise. Shannavathi Tharpanam should be performed on the day when this calculation applies.


Due to many requests, we have taken efforts to compile all Shannavathi TharpaNam for the upcoming Vilambi Naamasamvathsaram (April 2018 – April 2019). SaasthrAs orders one should do Shannavathi atleaast once in life-cycle. By doing this, you get immense Pithru PuNyam and reap the benefits for 7 generations to come.

Shannavathi means 96 – however, this year a slight increase of 2 is added due to Thithi.

The standard count is :-


Those who do not perform Shannavathi but SankramaNam, AmavAsyA, MahAlayapaksham – perform only one on the day of Amavasya or SankramaNam/MahAlayapaksham – for example – if Shannavathi (Vyatheepaadham) falls on AmAvAsya day – those doing Shannavathi will do 2 TharpaNam, whereas others will do only ONE THARPANAM.

Followers of AmAvAsyA/SankramaNam/MahAlayam – please stick to that particular TharpaNa Sankalpam only and ignore Shannavathi.

Clear instructions have been given for those who do it as HiraNya Roopam.

We have added BHODAYANA AMAVASYA (without serial no.) this year there is only one Bhodayana AmAvasya falls on :- Likewise, we have added one more Chandra GrahaNa – Somopaaraga - TharpaNam (without serial no.) falling on :-
Sankramanam Procedures and Rules:

If Sraarddham falls during Sankramanam, then Kartha should perform Tharpanam first followed By Sraarddham, food consumption.

Both Utharaayanam, Dakshinaayana Punyakaala Ayana Tharpanam should be performed during Utharayanam persists i.e. (just before Aadi (1st day of AashAda month) Maasa Pirappu and just after Thai Maasa Pirappu (after 1st day of Makara Month)

During Mahaalayapaksham if Father or Mother’s Prathyaabhthika (Varsha) Sraarddham falls, then Sraarddham should be performed first and in the next upcoming Krishna Paksha Thithi - you should perform Mahalayapaksha TharaNam for Father/Mother/Ancestors.

Mahaalayapaksha Tharpanam must be performed before Kaarthikai Krishnapaksham. During Mahaalaya Paksha TharpaNam, after Sankalpam, Hiranyam (Money) Should Be Given to Brahmins (Dhaththam), followed by TharpaNam.

When Movement Of Sun Enters "Sthira" Raasi (Rishabam, Simham, Kumbham, Vruschikam) - It Is Called "Vishnupathi Kaalam".

When Sun Moves and entersMakaram, Kataka Raasi – it is called Ayana PuNyakaalam When Sun Moves and enters Thula, Mesha Raasi – it is called Vishu PuNyakaalam – Urdhva Vishu Mesham, Adho Vishu Thulaam When Sun moves and enters Ubhaya Raasi (Mithunam, Kanni, Dhanusu, Meenam) it is called "Shadasheethi".

MAHALAYAPAKSHAM PROCEDURES & RULES

Just before (14 days before) Kanya Maasa Amavasya – this period is called MahAlayapaksha. Failure to perform Mahalayapaksham earns the wrath of Pithrus and He is conferred with Pithru Dosha, according to Saasthraas. If unable to perform due to unforeseen circumstances, atleast it should be performed during “Thithi” of Parents or all days beginning Panchami, MadhyAshTami, Vyatheepaadam, Gajachchaayai MahAbharaNee punya days.

If anyone’s Father has passed away due to (death due to) weapon, TharpaNam should be performed on Chathurdashi Thithi based on Shashtra Mahaalayam during Mahaalayam.

If due to extreme circumstances one could not perform Mahaalayam, then it MUST BE PERFORMED during Thula, Vruschika Maasa KrishNa Paksham and complete it.

Mahaalayam Notes:

Note - 1: (Those who perform with one Koorcham only) straightaway do AvAhanam with: sakaaruNeeka vargadvaya PithrUn AvAhayAmi

Note - 2: (After completing tharpanam of Father/Mother’s lineage - do extra TarpaNam but do not recite Gnaathaakyaatha vargadvaya pithrUn Svadhaa namas tharpayaami as you do in regular Amavasya) instead chant: Thaththath GothrANAm thaththath sharmaNAm vasu-rudra-Aditya swaroopaNAm pithrubhya mAthulAthi vargadvaya avasishTANAm sarveshAm kAruNeeka pithroon swadha namas tharpayAmi (3 times and pour water)

Note - 3: (YathAsthAnAm - as you have done AavahaNam before, in the same way take a pinch of Black Sesame): Aayaatha pithara: SomyA: gambeerai: poorvyai: prajaamasmabhyam thathatho rayim cha dheergayudhvam cha Shathasharatham cha asmaath koorchaath (those performing with only one Koorcham) sakaarUNeeka vargadvaya pithrUn yathaasthaanam prathishTaapayaami(put aside black-sesame on the Koorchams knot

Notes for Koorcham: Those who are performing with three Koorchas, take a pinch of sesame, chant (and put on each Koorcham separately)

On 1st Koorcham : Pithru, Pithaamaha, Prapithaamahaan – (Not having Mother)Maathru, Pithaamahee, PrapithaamaheeShcha (Those having Mother…… PithAmahee, Pithu: Pithaamahee, Pithu: PrapithAmaheescha) yathaasthaanam prathishtaapayaami

On 2nd Koorcham : Sapathneeka maathaamaha maathupithaamaha maathu prapithaamahaan yathaasthaanam prathistaapayyaami

On 3rd Koorcham: Thaththath GothrANAm thaththath SharmaNaam vasu-vasu swaroopaaNaam pithruvya maathulaathi vargadhvaya avasishttaan sarvaan sakaaruNeeka pithrUn yathaasthaanam prathishtaapayaami

I would like to Thank Ramakrishan Ramachandran and Suresh Ramachandran for their great support in compiling all the three versions (English, Tamil and Sanskrit).

We Pray Almight God, Parvathi Paramshwara and Sri Bhoomi Neela Sametha Neelamaninaatha Swamy to shower Their Choicest Blessings for performing Pithru Karmas and abiding by Saasthraas.