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Tarpan is best performed during Kutup/Madhyahna muhurta (midday period) on Amavasya. This is the most auspicious time for ancestor worship as pitrs are believed to be closest during this window.
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Take a bath early morning. Wear clean white clothes. Remain in a sattvic, contemplative mood. Avoid eating before completing the tarpan.
Sit facing south. Hold water, black sesame, and kusha grass in the right palm. State your gotra, the names of ancestors (father, grandfather, great-grandfather for paternal; maternal equivalents), the tithi, and the purpose of tarpan.
Make a ring from two blades of kusha grass and wear it on the ring finger of the right hand. This purifies the offerings and is essential for pitru karma.
Facing south, pour water mixed with black sesame from the right hand between the thumb and index finger (pitru tirtha). Offer three anjalis (palmfuls) each for father, grandfather, and great-grandfather — then for maternal ancestors. Recite the tarpan mantra with each offering.
ॐ पिता स्वर्गतो यस्य माता यस्य दिवं गता । तस्य तिलोदकं दत्तं अक्षयं उपतिष्ठतु ॥
oṃ pitā svargato yasya mātā yasya divaṃ gatā | tasya tilodakaṃ dattaṃ akṣayaṃ upatiṣṭhatu ||
Om, may the water with sesame offered for those whose father and mother have gone to heaven, reach them and be inexhaustible.
Optionally, make small balls of cooked rice mixed with sesame and barley. Place them on kusha grass facing south. This represents nourishment offered directly to ancestors.
If possible, feed a Brahmin or offer food to someone in need. This act of charity multiplies the merit of tarpan.
Donate clothes, grains, or money in the name of ancestors. Black sesame, white cloth, and food grains are traditional Amavasya charity items.
Fold hands and pray to your ancestors for their blessings. Ask for their peace and liberation. Remove the kusha pavitri ring. You may now take food.