Gajachchhaya Yoga is formed by combination and concurrence of Sun, Moon and 2 tithis (Lunar Days) which are Trayodasi and Amavasya.
This yoga is formed when Sun transits through Hasta Nakshatra in Virgo (Kanya Rasi) once in a year and mostly during Pitru Paksha.
In 2026, Gajachchhaya Yoga occurs only once on Amavasya (New Moon Day), which is 9th/10th October.
Trayodasi yoga does not occur as Sun in Hasta and Moon in Magha does not happen simultaneously on that tithi, while Amavasya Yoga is applicable throughout the world.
Gajachchhaya Yoga is applicable between Sunrise and Sunset in local time, when Sun and Moon are in Hasta Nakshatra during last day (Amavasya Tithi) of Pitru Paksha (2nd half of lunar month Bhadrapada).
Gajachchhaya Yoga (गजच्छाया योग) does not form every year. But whenever Gajachchhaya Yoga occurs during Pitru Paksha, it is considered highly auspicious for performing Shraddha rituals and charity.
Transit of Sun in Hasta nakshatra happens every year during September-October. But this should be Bhadrapada Maasa (where fullmoon forms in Uttara Bhadrapada Nakshatra) and not adhika maasa.
Second half of this month (when Moon is waning between fullmoon to next newmoon) is called Mahalaya Paksha or Pitru Paksha and no auspiscious event is performed during these 15 days.
Traditional astrologers do not check any horoscopes and postpone all astrological advises.
Pitru Dosha Causes, Effects & Remedies.
These are the days to offer Shraddh to deceased ancestors in a family.
Curses on forefathers is said to cause Pitra Dosham according to traditional astrologers, but reality is that, one faces this only because of his/her past life deeds.
There are millions of souls in this world who are not resting in peace. All the souls are ancestors of someone who are alive today.
But, reality is that Pitra devatas are not the one who are deceased, but the ones who are never born and will never die.
They reside in the form of DNA and continue that ‘Gotra‘ through ‘Y’ chromosome of males in that family.
When one person suffers from pitru dosha, his/her family will struggle to see next generation smoothly.
Either they will not have kids, or their children will seperate from them, or no male kids in next generation will end their Gotra.
Amavasya Gajachchaya Yoga forms on 10 October 2026 and is applicable throughout the world.
In India, Amavasya Gajachchaya Yoga forms on 10th October 2026 from Sunrise till Sunset in local time.
For PDT Zone (UTC -7:00) : From 09:07 AM till Sunset (09 October) (West Coast of USA).
For EDT Zone (UTC -4:00) : From 12:07 PM till Sunset (09 October) (East Coast of USA).
For UTC Zone (London -1:00) : From 16:07 till Sunset (09 October) and From Sunrise till 15:50 (10 October).
Gajachchhaya Yoga is useful when it falls during day time and it has no value when it falls during night time.
So, in 2026 Pitru Tarpan or Shraddh should be performed by people whose parent(s) passed away during this date.