Mahalaya Amavasya 2016 Date — Friday, September 30, 2016
When is Mahalaya Amavasya in 2016? Mahalaya Amavasya 2016 falls on Friday, September 30, 2016.
Observance: Sarva Pitru Amavasya (Mahalaya). City calendars may vary slightly by sunrise and amanta or purnimanta tradition — confirm with your local mandir.
Mahalaya Amavasya 2016 — full list of dates
| Observance | Date & day | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Purnima Shraddha — Pitru Paksha begins | Fri, 16 September 2016 | |
| Sarva Pitru Amavasya (Mahalaya) | Fri, 30 September 2016 | Main day |
| Navratri begins — Ghatasthapana | Sat, 1 October 2016 |
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 |
|---|---|
| 2015 | Mon, 12 October 2015 |
| 2016 | Fri, 30 September 2016 |
| 2017 | Wed, 20 September 2017 |
| 2018 | Tue, 9 October 2018 |
| 2019 | Sat, 28 September 2019 |
Hindu festivals around Mahalaya Amavasya 2016
- Sharad Navratri 2016 date — Sat, 1 October 2016
- Durga Puja 2016 date — Sun, 9 October 2016
- Dussehra 2016 date — Tue, 11 October 2016
- Anant Chaturdashi 2016 date — Thu, 15 September 2016
- Onam 2016 date — Wed, 14 September 2016
- Sharad Purnima 2016 date — Sun, 16 October 2016
- Karva Chauth 2016 date — Wed, 19 October 2016
- Ganesh Chaturthi 2016 date — Mon, 5 September 2016
- Hartalika Teej 2016 date — Sun, 4 September 2016
- Dhanteras 2016 date — Fri, 28 October 2016
- Naraka Chaturdashi 2016 date — Sat, 29 October 2016
- Diwali 2016 date — Sun, 30 October 2016
