What is Sarvapitṛ Amāvasyā — can one śrāddha cover all ancestors?

yes — the last day of Pitṛ Pakṣa is for all ancestors, including those whose dates are unknown or forgotten.

Sarvapitṛ Amāvasyā (also Mahālaya Amāvasyā) is the new moon that closes Pitṛ Pakṣa. “Sarva-pitṛ” means “all the ancestors”. On this day families offer śrāddha and tarpaṇa for every ancestor they can remember, for those whose death tithi is unknown, for relatives who had no one to remember them, and for anyone whose śrāddha was missed during the fortnight.

It does not replace the individual annual śrāddha of parents if you are able to do that, but it is a complete and valid day in itself. Many families who cannot manage the full fortnight do only this day.

A beautiful custom is to name, during tarpaṇa, not only parents and grandparents but also teachers, friends and others who shaped your life — and finally “all beings who have no one to offer to them”. It turns remembrance into gratitude for everyone.

Source: Nirṇayasindhu; common practice

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