What is the difference between Aadi Amavasai and Thai Amavasai?

Both are ancestral new moons in Tamil Nadu, used for tarpan at the sea or a river. Aadi Amavasai is in July-August, Thai Amavasai in January-February, and Thai is the bigger of the two. Rameswaram and Kanyakumari get very crowded for both.

Thai Amavasai

Tamil

थाई अमावसई · થાઈ અમાવસઈ

2026

18 January 2026

Sunday · Krishna Amavasya

Tithi begins12:04 AM

Tithi ends01:22 AM · 19 Jan

Full panchang for this day

About

Amavasya in Thai month. Ancestors are honored with special rituals (Tarpanam) at rivers and seashores.

Falls on: The new moon of Aadi (July to August) and of Thai (January to February)

What it is

The two principal ancestral new moons of the Tamil year. Tarpan is performed at the sea or a river, Rameswaram, Kanyakumari and the Kaveri ghats fill. Thai Amavasai is the larger of the two and serves the function Mauni Amavasya does in the north.

Food

A fast before the tarpan; a simple sesame-and-rice meal after.

Common questions

What is the difference between Aadi Amavasai and Thai Amavasai?: Both are ancestral new moons in Tamil Nadu, used for tarpan at the sea or a river. Aadi Amavasai is in July-August, Thai Amavasai in January-February, and Thai is the bigger of the two. Rameswaram and Kanyakumari get very crowded for both.

Thai Amavasai date in 2025 Thai Amavasai date in 2027