Mahalaya Amavasya 2018 Date — Tuesday, October 9, 2018
When is Mahalaya Amavasya in 2018? Mahalaya Amavasya 2018 falls on Tuesday, October 9, 2018.
Observance: Sarva Pitru Amavasya (Mahalaya). City calendars may vary slightly by sunrise and amanta or purnimanta tradition — confirm with your local mandir.
Mahalaya Amavasya 2018 — full list of dates
| Observance | Date & day | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Purnima Shraddha — Pitru Paksha begins | Tue, 25 September 2018 | |
| Sarva Pitru Amavasya (Mahalaya) | Tue, 9 October 2018 | Main day |
| Navratri begins — Ghatasthapana | Wed, 10 October 2018 |
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 |
|---|---|
| 2017 | Wed, 20 September 2017 |
| 2018 | Tue, 9 October 2018 |
| 2019 | Sat, 28 September 2019 |
| 2020 | Thu, 17 September 2020 |
| 2021 | Wed, 6 October 2021 |
Hindu festivals around Mahalaya Amavasya 2018
- Sharad Navratri 2018 date — Wed, 10 October 2018
- Durga Puja 2018 date — Wed, 17 October 2018
- Dussehra 2018 date — Fri, 19 October 2018
- Sharad Purnima 2018 date — Wed, 24 October 2018
- Anant Chaturdashi 2018 date — Sun, 23 September 2018
- Karva Chauth 2018 date — Sun, 28 October 2018
- Ganesh Chaturthi 2018 date — Thu, 13 September 2018
- Dhanteras 2018 date — Mon, 5 November 2018
- Hartalika Teej 2018 date — Wed, 12 September 2018
- Naraka Chaturdashi 2018 date — Tue, 6 November 2018
- Diwali 2018 date — Wed, 7 November 2018
- Govardhan Puja 2018 date — Thu, 8 November 2018
