Festival guide
Mahalaya Amavasya
Mahalaya Amavasya is the new moon that closes Pitru Paksha, the fortnight dedicated to ancestors. Those who do not know the tithi of an ancestor’s death perform shraddha for all ancestors on this day.
Mahalaya Amavasya dates
| Year | Date | Tithi and its timings |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Saturday 10 October | Bhadrapada Krishna Amavasya 9 Oct, 21:36 → 10 Oct, 21:19 |
| 2027 | Wednesday 29 September | Bhadrapada Krishna Amavasya 29 Sept, 10:55 → 30 Sept, 08:06 |
Dates for New Delhi, India; times in Asia/Kolkata. Observed by the rule: tithi in the afternoon (aparahna).
Also known as: Sarva Pitru Amavasya, Mahalaya.
Story and significance
According to tradition, the ancestors visit the earthly realm during Pitru Paksha. In Bengal, Mahalaya also marks the invocation of Durga before Durga Puja, with the dawn radio recital of Mahishasura Mardini.
How Mahalaya Amavasya is celebrated
- Tarpan — offering water with sesame and kusha grass to the ancestors
- Shraddha with food offerings, often in the afternoon
- Feeding Brahmins, cows, crows and the needy
- Pilgrimage to Gaya, Varanasi or other tirthas
Customs vary between regions, communities and families. Please follow the guidance of your family priest or local temple for rituals and timings.
Frequently asked questions
When is Mahalaya Amavasya 2026?
Mahalaya Amavasya 2026 falls on Saturday, 10 October 2026, for New Delhi. Choose your city above to see the date for your location.
When is Mahalaya Amavasya 2027?
Mahalaya Amavasya 2027 falls on Wednesday, 29 September 2027, for New Delhi. Choose your city above to see the date for your location.
Why does the date of Mahalaya Amavasya change every year?
Mahalaya Amavasya is fixed by the lunar calendar — the Krishna Paksha Amavasya of Bhadrapada (amanta calendar) — not the Gregorian calendar. Lunar months drift against solar dates, so the festival moves by up to a few weeks from year to year.
Can Mahalaya Amavasya fall on different dates in India and abroad?
Yes. The rule depends on the tithi at a particular time of day at your location, so a tithi that begins just before sunrise in India may begin after sunrise in North America, moving the observance by a day.