Magha Maas · Lord Vishnu & Surya

Magha (Magha Maas) 2019

The month of the Magha snan and Kalpavas — Makar Sankranti, Mauni Amavasya and Vasant Panchami.

See Magha 2026 — this year

Magha (Magha Maas) 2019 Dates

North India · Purnimanta
Tuesday, 22 January 2019
to Tuesday, 19 February 2019 · 29 days
Month ending on the Purnima
Amanta regions
Tuesday, 5 February 2019
to Wednesday, 6 March 2019 · 30 days
Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
Why the dates differ. In the Purnimanta calendar a month ends on the full moon; in Amanta it ends on the new moon. So Magha begins about 15 days earlier in North India than in Amanta regions — even though the festivals fall on the same day in both, because they are fixed by tithi.

The significance of Magha — Lord Vishnu & Surya

Magha is the great month of the holy bath. A dip at Prayag through the month — the Kalpavas, when devotees live austere by the Sangam — is held to wash a lifetime's karma. It opens with Makar Sankranti as the sun turns north, holds the silent Mauni Amavasya bath, and reaches Vasant Panchami, the first day of spring and the worship of Saraswati.

Rituals of Magha

  • Magha snan — a daily pre-dawn holy dip, especially at Prayag
  • Kalpavas — an austere month-long stay at the Sangam
  • Til-gud daan and sesame offerings
  • Surya arghya from Makar Sankranti
  • The silent Mauni Amavasya bath
  • Saraswati puja on Vasant Panchami
  • Fasting on Jaya and Vijaya Ekadashi

Key days in Magha 2019

Festivals in Magha 2019

Monthly vrats 2019

Magha 2019 — Frequently Asked Questions

When does Magha Maas 2019 start?

In North India (Purnimanta calendar) Magha runs from Tuesday, 22 January 2019 to Tuesday, 19 February 2019. In Amanta-calendar regions it runs Tuesday, 5 February 2019 to Wednesday, 6 March 2019.

Why do Magha dates differ in North and South India?

Because the two regions follow different lunar calendars. In the Purnimanta calendar (North India) a month ends on the Purnima, so it starts about 15 days earlier than in Amanta. In the Amanta calendar (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu) the month runs new-moon to new-moon.

Which deity is Magha 2019 dedicated to?

Magha is the great month of the holy bath. A dip at Prayag through the month — the Kalpavas, when devotees live austere by the Sangam — is held to wash a lifetime's karma. It opens with Makar Sankranti as the sun turns north, holds the silent Mauni Amavasya bath, and reaches Vasant Panchami, the first day of spring and the worship of Saraswati.

Is Magha 2019 an Adhik Maas?

No. Magha 2019 is a normal 29-day month.