Mahalaya Amavasya 2017 Date — Wednesday, September 20, 2017
When is Mahalaya Amavasya in 2017? Mahalaya Amavasya 2017 falls on Wednesday, September 20, 2017.
Observance: Sarva Pitru Amavasya (Mahalaya). City calendars may vary slightly by sunrise and amanta or purnimanta tradition — confirm with your local mandir.
Mahalaya Amavasya 2017 — full list of dates
| Observance | Date & day | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Purnima Shraddha — Pitru Paksha begins | Wed, 6 September 2017 | |
| Sarva Pitru Amavasya (Mahalaya) | Wed, 20 September 2017 | Main day |
| Navratri begins — Ghatasthapana | Thu, 21 September 2017 |
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 |
|---|---|
| 2016 | Fri, 30 September 2016 |
| 2017 | Wed, 20 September 2017 |
| 2018 | Tue, 9 October 2018 |
| 2019 | Sat, 28 September 2019 |
| 2020 | Thu, 17 September 2020 |
Hindu festivals around Mahalaya Amavasya 2017
- Sharad Navratri 2017 date — Thu, 21 September 2017
- Durga Puja 2017 date — Thu, 28 September 2017
- Dussehra 2017 date — Sat, 30 September 2017
- Sharad Purnima 2017 date — Thu, 5 October 2017
- Anant Chaturdashi 2017 date — Tue, 5 September 2017
- Onam 2017 date — Mon, 4 September 2017
- Karva Chauth 2017 date — Mon, 9 October 2017
- Ganesh Chaturthi 2017 date — Fri, 25 August 2017
- Dhanteras 2017 date — Tue, 17 October 2017
- Hartalika Teej 2017 date — Thu, 24 August 2017
- Naraka Chaturdashi 2017 date — Wed, 18 October 2017
- Diwali 2017 date — Thu, 19 October 2017
