Magha 2008 Start & End Date (Magha Maas)
North India (Purnimanta): Wednesday, 23 January 2008 – Thursday, 21 February 2008
Amanta regions: Friday, 8 February 2008 – Friday, 7 March 2008
The month of the Magha snan and Kalpavas — Makar Sankranti, Mauni Amavasya and Vasant Panchami.
Magha 2008 at a Glance
- Magha Shivratri
- Wed, 6 Feb
- Purnima
- Thu, 21 Feb
- Amavasya
- Thu, 7 Feb
- Magha Shivratri
- Thu, 6 Mar
- Purnima
- Thu, 21 Feb
- Amavasya
- Fri, 7 Mar
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 2008
Vrat and tithi dates follow whichever month window your calendar uses, so both systems are listed separately below.
North India · Purnimanta
Wed, 23 Jan – Thu, 21 Feb · 30 days
Amanta regions
Fri, 8 Feb – Fri, 7 Mar · 29 days
Festivals in Magha 2008
Within the Purnimanta window (Wed, 23 Jan – Thu, 21 Feb). Festivals are fixed by tithi, so each falls on the same civil day in both systems.
Also inside Amanta Magha (Fri, 8 Feb – Fri, 7 Mar)
Monthly vrats 2008
Magha 2008 — Frequently Asked Questions
When does Magha Maas 2008 start?
In North India (Purnimanta calendar) Magha runs from Wednesday, 23 January 2008 to Thursday, 21 February 2008. In Amanta-calendar regions it runs Friday, 8 February 2008 to Friday, 7 March 2008.
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 2008 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 is Magha Shivratri 2008?
Magha Shivratri 2008 — the Masik Shivaratri of Magha Maas, observed on the Krishna Chaturdashi — falls on Wednesday, 6 February 2008 in North India (Purnimanta). In Amanta regions it falls on Thursday, 6 March 2008. Night worship and jalabhishek of the Shiva lingam are traditional on this day.
When does Magha 2008 end?
In North India (Purnimanta) Magha ends on Thursday, 21 February 2008, on the Purnima. In Amanta regions it ends on Friday, 7 March 2008, 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 2008 an Adhik Maas?
No. Magha 2008 is a normal 30-day month.