Magha Maas · Lord Vishnu & Surya

Magha 2004 Start & End Date (Magha Maas)

North India (Purnimanta): Thursday, 8 January 2004Friday, 6 February 2004

Amanta regions: Thursday, 22 January 2004Friday, 20 February 2004

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

See Magha 2026 — this year

Magha 2004 at a Glance

North India · Purnimanta
Thursday, 8 January 2004
to Friday, 6 February 2004 · 30 days
Month ending on the Purnima
Amanta regions
Thursday, 22 January 2004
to Friday, 20 February 2004 · 30 days
Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
North India · Purnimanta
Purnima
Fri, 6 Feb
Amavasya
Wed, 21 Jan
Amanta regions
Magha Shivratri
Thu, 19 Feb
Purnima
Fri, 6 Feb
Amavasya
Fri, 20 Feb
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 2004

Vrat and tithi dates follow whichever month window your calendar uses, so both systems are listed separately below.

Festivals in Magha 2004

Within the Purnimanta window (Thu, 8 Jan – Fri, 6 Feb). Festivals are fixed by tithi, so each falls on the same civil day in both systems.

Also inside Amanta Magha (Thu, 22 Jan – Fri, 20 Feb)

Monthly vrats 2004

Magha 2004 — Frequently Asked Questions

When does Magha Maas 2004 start?

In North India (Purnimanta calendar) Magha runs from Thursday, 8 January 2004 to Friday, 6 February 2004. In Amanta-calendar regions it runs Thursday, 22 January 2004 to Friday, 20 February 2004.

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 2004 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.

When does Magha 2004 end?

In North India (Purnimanta) Magha ends on Friday, 6 February 2004, on the Purnima. In Amanta regions it ends on Friday, 20 February 2004, on the Amavasya.

Are Magha and Magha Maas the same month?

Yes. Magha Maas is the Sanskrit name of this lunar month and Magha is the everyday Hindi form of the same word. They refer to the same period — different names, not different dates.

Is Magha 2004 an Adhik Maas?

No. Magha 2004 is a normal 30-day month.