Mahalaya Amavasya 2013 Date — Friday, October 4, 2013
When is Mahalaya Amavasya in 2013? Mahalaya Amavasya 2013 falls on Friday, October 4, 2013.
Observance: Sarva Pitru Amavasya (Mahalaya). City calendars may vary slightly by sunrise and amanta or purnimanta tradition — confirm with your local mandir.
Mahalaya Amavasya 2013 — full list of dates
| Observance | Date & day | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Purnima Shraddha — Pitru Paksha begins | Thu, 19 September 2013 | |
| Sarva Pitru Amavasya (Mahalaya) | Fri, 4 October 2013 | Main day |
| Navratri begins — Ghatasthapana | Sat, 5 October 2013 |
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 |
|---|---|
| 2012 | Mon, 15 October 2012 |
| 2013 | Fri, 4 October 2013 |
| 2014 | Wed, 24 September 2014 |
| 2015 | Mon, 12 October 2015 |
| 2016 | Fri, 30 September 2016 |
Hindu festivals around Mahalaya Amavasya 2013
- Sharad Navratri 2013 date — Sat, 5 October 2013
- Durga Puja 2013 date — Sat, 12 October 2013
- Dussehra 2013 date — Mon, 14 October 2013
- Sharad Purnima 2013 date — Fri, 18 October 2013
- Anant Chaturdashi 2013 date — Wed, 18 September 2013
- Karva Chauth 2013 date — Wed, 23 October 2013
- Ganesh Chaturthi 2013 date — Mon, 9 September 2013
- Hartalika Teej 2013 date — Sun, 8 September 2013
- Dhanteras 2013 date — Fri, 1 November 2013
- Naraka Chaturdashi 2013 date — Sat, 2 November 2013
- Diwali 2013 date — Sun, 3 November 2013
- Govardhan Puja 2013 date — Mon, 4 November 2013
