Festival guide
Mahalaya Amavasya
महालय अमावस्या
Sarva Pitru Amavasya, the concluding day of Pitru Paksha.
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.
Before you make plans
Mahalaya and the main Durga Puja days are different
Mahalaya marks the conclusion of Pitru Paksha. The main Durga Puja sequence begins later, from Shashthi. Check the Durga Puja calendar as well if you are planning a visit or travel for the celebrations.
Why this date?
Falls on Ashwin Krishna Amavasya, the new moon that concludes Pitru Paksha before Sharad Navaratri.
Learn how Hindu calendar dates are calculatedMahalaya Amavasya tithi and Panchang details
Date determined by
Lunar tithiCategory
Major festivalNakshatra
HastaDietary practice
Vegetarian foodSignificance
A key day for shraddha, tarpana, and remembrance of ancestors.
Traditions and Regions
Traditions
Observed in
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.