Festival guide

Mahalaya Amavasya

महालय अमावस्या

Sarva Pitru Amavasya, the concluding day of Pitru Paksha.

At a glance

How is Mahalaya Amavasya dated?

Mahalaya Amavasya is an annual Hindu observance whose Gregorian date can change each year. Samvat calculates each year's date from its tithi Panchang rule; choose a year for the exact date and tithi.

Also known as: Sarva Pitru Amavasya, Mahalaya.

Yearly reference

Mahalaya Amavasya dates by year

Choose a year for the exact Gregorian date, Hindu date, observance rule, and related calendar links.

Why this date?

Falls on Ashwin Krishna Amavasya, the new moon that concludes Pitru Paksha before Sharad Navaratri.

Learn how Hindu calendar dates are calculated

Mahalaya Amavasya tithi and Panchang details

Date determined by

Lunar tithi

Category

Major festival

Nakshatra

Hasta

Dietary practice

Vegetarian food

Significance

A key day for shraddha, tarpana, and remembrance of ancestors.

Traditions and Regions

Traditions

ShraddhaTarpanaAncestor offerings

Observed in

Pan-IndiaBengalNorth India

Common questions

How is Mahalaya Amavasya dated?

Mahalaya Amavasya is an annual Hindu observance whose Gregorian date can change each year. Samvat calculates each year's date from its tithi Panchang rule; choose a year for the exact date and tithi.

What is the tithi for Mahalaya Amavasya?

The Hindu date is calculated separately each year from the tithi, paksha, and Hindu month for Mahalaya Amavasya. Choose a year above to see the details.

Can the date differ by city?

Yes. Panchang values depend on sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and timezone. Samvat's public festival page uses an India-baseline calculation; local observance can differ by city, sampradaya, or family tradition.