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 2024, Gajachchhaya Yoga occurs twice – Trayodasi (29th/30th September) and on Amavasya (New Moon Day), which is 2nd/3rd October.
Trayodasi yoga is partially applicable in Asia, while Amavasya Yoga is applicable throughout the world.
Gajachchhaya Yoga is applicable between Sunrise and Sunset in local time, when Sun is in Hasta Nakshatra and the Moon is in Magha Nakshatra during Trayodasi Tithi of Pitru Paksha (2nd half of lunar month Bhadrapada).
Next occurance of Gajachchhaya Yoga is when the Sun and Moon are in Hasta Nakshatra during Amavasya Tithi of Pitru Paksha is also known as Gajachchhaya Yoga.
So, there might be one or two Gajachchhaya Yoga during Pitru Paksha. This auspicious combination occurs either on Trayodashi Tithi or on Amavasya Tithi.
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 of 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.
In India, Trayodasi Gajachchaya Yoga forms on 29th September 2024 from 16:49 IST till sunset in local time.
On 30th September 2024, Gajachchaya Yoga starts at sunrise in local time and ends at 06:06 AM IST. Most of India cannot make use of 30th september, except for East and North-East, where Sun rises around 5:30 AM.
For New Zealand Time Zone (GMT +12:00) on 30 September : From sunrise till 13:36 AM.
For AEST Zone (GMT +10:00) : From sunrise till 11:36 AM (30 September)
For PDT Zone (GMT -7:00) : From sunrise till 05:36 PM (29 September) (West Coast of USA)
For EDT Zone (GMT -4:00) : From sunrise till sunset (29 September) (East Coast of USA)
Amavasya Gajachchaya Yoga forms on 2nd October 2024 and is applicable in continents of Asia, Africa and America.
In India, Amavasya Gajachchaya Yoga forms on 2nd October 2024 from 12:11 PM IST till sunset in local time.
For PDT Zone (GMT -7:00) : From sunrise till 11:41 AM (2 October) (West Coast of USA)
For EDT Zone (GMT -4:00) : From sunrise till 02:41 PM (2 October) (East Coast of USA)
Gajachchhaya Yoga is useful when it falls during day time and it has no value when it falls during night time.
So, in 2024 Pitru Tarpan or Shraddh should be performed by people whose father passed away during that time and date.