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Mahalaya Amavasya 2023 Date — Saturday, October 14, 2023

When is Mahalaya Amavasya in 2023? Mahalaya Amavasya 2023 falls on Saturday, October 14, 2023.

Observance: Sarva Pitru Amavasya (Mahalaya). City calendars may vary slightly by sunrise and amanta or purnimanta tradition — confirm with your local mandir.

Mahalaya Amavasya 2023 — full list of dates

Mahalaya Amavasya 2023 key dates and days
ObservanceDate & dayNotes
Purnima Shraddha — Pitru Paksha beginsFri, 29 September 2023
Sarva Pitru Amavasya (Mahalaya)Sat, 14 October 2023Main day
Navratri begins — GhatasthapanaSun, 15 October 2023

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

  1. Wake early, bathe, and offer tarpan to ancestors (pitru) if it is a pitru-related Amavasya.
  2. Light sesame oil lamp; offer water (tarpan) facing south with black sesame if doing shraddha.
  3. Visit Shiva or Vishnu temple; Amavasya is sacred to both.
  4. Charity of food, clothes, or sesame to the needy.
  5. Avoid starting major new ventures; focus on introspection and pitru seva.
  6. Evening deepam and simple sattvic meal after puja if not fully fasting.

Mahalaya Amavasya dates by year

When is Mahalaya Amavasya — 2022 to 2026
YearDate & day
2022Sun, 25 September 2022
2023Sat, 14 October 2023
2024Wed, 2 October 2024
2025Sun, 21 September 2025
2026Sat, 10 October 2026

Hindu festivals around Mahalaya Amavasya 2023