Mahalaya 2026 falls on Saturday, October 10, 2026. This date marks the end of Pitru Paksha (the fortnight for honoring ancestors) and the start of Devi Paksha, the countdown to Durga Puja.
If you’re planning ancestral rituals, a Bengali festival calendar, or travel around Durga Puja, this is the one date to lock in for the year.
Quick Facts: Mahalaya 2026
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Gregorian Date | Saturday, October 10, 2026 |
| Hindu Date | Krishna Amavasya, Ashwin (Bengali: 23 Ashwin 1433) |
| Also Known As | Sarva Pitru Amavasya, Mahalaya Amavasya |
| Marks the End Of | Pitru Paksha (16-day ancestor remembrance period) |
| Marks the Start Of | Devi Paksha, leading into Durga Puja |
| Durga Puja 2026 | Friday, October 16, 2026 |
Why October 10, 2026?
Mahalaya Amavasya falls on Ashwin Krishna Amavasya, the new moon that concludes Pitru Paksha right before Sharad Navaratri begins. Because it’s tied to the lunar calendar rather than a fixed Gregorian date, Mahalaya shifts each year — in 2025 it fell on September 21, and in 2027 it will move to September 30. samvat
According to tithi timing data, the Amavasya tithi for 2026 begins on October 9 at approximately 9:36 PM and ends on October 10 at approximately 9:20 PM. Since Mahalaya is observed based on the tithi prevailing at sunrise, the day itself is confirmed as October 10. swaaminarayanantemple
What Happens on Mahalaya
Mahalaya carries two distinct but connected meanings depending on the tradition:
1. The final day of Pitru Paksha (Sarva Pitru Amavasya). Families across India perform tarpan — water and food offerings — to honor all ancestors collectively. This day is treated as the safety net for anyone whose ancestor’s exact death tithi is unknown or was missed during the fortnight, making it the most significant single day in the entire Pitru Paksha period. hindutone
2. The pre-dawn welcome of Durga in Bengal. In West Bengal, Odisha, Tripura, and Assam, Mahalaya has a second, more festive identity. Devotees traditionally begin the day before sunrise by listening to the Mahishasura Mardini radio broadcast, a musical invocation that announces the goddess’s arrival on Earth. This broadcast has aired on All India Radio for decades and remains a cultural fixture for Bengali households every autumn. urbanmoney
Is Mahalaya a Public Holiday?
Mahalaya is not a nationally gazetted holiday in India. Banks and government offices generally follow their regular weekend schedule around this date, though some eastern states with large Bengali populations may observe regional closures or reduced business hours, particularly where the date coincides with a weekend. creditmitra
How Mahalaya Connects to Durga Puja and Navaratri
Mahalaya isn’t a standalone event — it’s the starting gun for the biggest festival season in the Hindu and Bengali calendar. Sharad Navaratri begins the following day, on Sunday, October 11, 2026, and the main Durga Puja celebrations (Shashthi through Dashami) run from mid to late October, with Durga Puja beginning Friday, October 16, and concluding around Vijaya Dashami on October 20-21. samvatsamvat
For anyone tracking the full festival window, here’s the sequence:
- October 10 – Mahalaya (end of Pitru Paksha)
- October 11 – Sharad Navaratri begins
- October 16 – Durga Puja / Maha Shashthi
- October 19 – Maha Ashtami / Maha Navami
- October 20 – Vijaya Dashami (Dussehra)
What time does the Amavasya tithi start and end in 2026?
The tithi begins on October 9, 2026, around 9:36 PM and ends on October 10, 2026, around 9:20 PM. The observance is fixed to whichever date the tithi covers at sunrise.
Plan ahead for the full festival season. Download free, printable calendars and planners — including Hindu festival calendars — anytime at Jocalendars.