Mahalaya Amavasya 2003 Date — Friday, September 26, 2003
When is Mahalaya Amavasya in 2003? Mahalaya Amavasya 2003 falls on Friday, September 26, 2003.
Observance: Sarva Pitru Amavasya (Mahalaya). City calendars may vary slightly by sunrise and amanta or purnimanta tradition — confirm with your local mandir.
Mahalaya Amavasya 2003 — full list of dates
| Observance | Date & day | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Purnima Shraddha — Pitru Paksha begins | Wed, 10 September 2003 | |
| Sarva Pitru Amavasya (Mahalaya) | Fri, 26 September 2003 | Main day |
| Navratri begins — Ghatasthapana | Fri, 26 September 2003 |
Why we celebrate
Bhadrpad Amavasya — Mahalaya paksha ends; all ancestors are worshipped. Central to Pitru Paksha before Navratri.
How it is celebrated
Tarpan, shraddha, feeding brahmins and crows, Mahalaya chandi path in Bengal.
Puja timing
Shraddha in aparahna (afternoon) after tarpan; avoid Rahu kaal.
Foods & offerings
Pinda daan, kheer, rice, sesame; vegetarian only.
Rituals
- Wake early, bathe, and offer tarpan to ancestors (pitru) if it is a pitru-related Amavasya.
- Light sesame oil lamp; offer water (tarpan) facing south with black sesame if doing shraddha.
- Visit Shiva or Vishnu temple; Amavasya is sacred to both.
- Charity of food, clothes, or sesame to the needy.
- Avoid starting major new ventures; focus on introspection and pitru seva.
- Evening deepam and simple sattvic meal after puja if not fully fasting.
Mahalaya Amavasya dates by year
| Year | Date & day |
|---|---|
| 2002 | Sun, 6 October 2002 |
| 2003 | Fri, 26 September 2003 |
| 2004 | Thu, 14 October 2004 |
| 2005 | Mon, 3 October 2005 |
| 2006 | Fri, 22 September 2006 |
Hindu festivals around Mahalaya Amavasya 2003
- Sharad Navratri 2003 date — Fri, 26 September 2003
- Durga Puja 2003 date — Fri, 3 October 2003
- Dussehra 2003 date — Sun, 5 October 2003
- Sharad Purnima 2003 date — Fri, 10 October 2003
- Anant Chaturdashi 2003 date — Tue, 9 September 2003
- Karva Chauth 2003 date — Tue, 14 October 2003
- Onam 2003 date — Mon, 8 September 2003
- Ganesh Chaturthi 2003 date — Sun, 31 August 2003
- Dhanteras 2003 date — Thu, 23 October 2003
- Hartalika Teej 2003 date — Sat, 30 August 2003
- Naraka Chaturdashi 2003 date — Fri, 24 October 2003
- Diwali 2003 date — Sat, 25 October 2003
