Magha 2026 Start & End Date (Magha Maas)
North India (Purnimanta): Sunday, 4 January 2026 – Sunday, 1 February 2026
Amanta regions: Monday, 19 January 2026 – Tuesday, 17 February 2026
The month of the Magha snan and Kalpavas — Makar Sankranti, Mauni Amavasya and Vasant Panchami.
Magha 2026 at a Glance
- Magha Shivratri
- Sat, 17 Jan
- Purnima
- Sun, 1 Feb
- Amavasya
- Sun, 18 Jan
- Magha Shivratri
- Mon, 16 Feb
- Purnima
- Sun, 1 Feb
- Amavasya
- Tue, 17 Feb
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 2026
Vrat and tithi dates follow whichever month window your calendar uses, so both systems are listed separately below.
North India · Purnimanta
Sun, 4 Jan – Sun, 1 Feb · 29 days
Amanta regions
Mon, 19 Jan – Tue, 17 Feb · 30 days
Festivals in Magha 2026
Within the Purnimanta window (Sun, 4 Jan – Sun, 1 Feb). Festivals are fixed by tithi, so each falls on the same civil day in both systems.
Also inside Amanta Magha (Mon, 19 Jan – Tue, 17 Feb)
Monthly vrats 2026
Magha 2026 — Frequently Asked Questions
When does Magha Maas 2026 start?
In North India (Purnimanta calendar) Magha runs from Sunday, 4 January 2026 to Sunday, 1 February 2026. In Amanta-calendar regions it runs Monday, 19 January 2026 to Tuesday, 17 February 2026.
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 2026 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 2026?
Magha Shivratri 2026 — the Masik Shivaratri of Magha Maas, observed on the Krishna Chaturdashi — falls on Saturday, 17 January 2026 in North India (Purnimanta). In Amanta regions it falls on Monday, 16 February 2026. Night worship and jalabhishek of the Shiva lingam are traditional on this day.
When does Magha 2026 end?
In North India (Purnimanta) Magha ends on Sunday, 1 February 2026, on the Purnima. In Amanta regions it ends on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, 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 2026 an Adhik Maas?
No. Magha 2026 is a normal 29-day month.