Today, 21 April 2012 is Amavasya (No Moon day). It is very auspicious as it is Shani Amavasya (Amavasai falls on Shanivar). This No Moon is Vaishakh Amavasya in North Indian Hindi calendars and Chaitra Amavasya in Marathi, Kannada, Telugu & Gujarati calendars. It is the first Amabasya in Nandana Samvatsaram (2012-2013 Hindu year).
Amavasya has begun on 20 April 2012 at 10.24 AM and will end at 12.47 noon on 21 April. Pitru Tharpan or Shraddh rituals to dead ancestors are highly meritorious to perform on this day.
This Amavas marks the end of Chaitra Month in Amavasyant calendars followed in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh & Karnataka. The following day heralds the Vaishakh month in above calendars.