| Magha | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Native name | माघ (Sanskrit) |
| Calendar | Hindu calendar |
| Month number | 11 |
| Number of days | 29 or 30 |
| Season | Shishira (Winter) |
| Gregorian equivalent | January–February |
| Significant days | |
Magha (Māgha) is the eleventhmonth of theHindulunar calendar and theIndian national calendar.[1] The name of the month is derived from the position of theMoon near theMaghanakshatra (star) on thefull moon day.[2] The month marks thewinter (Shishira) season and falls in January–February of theGregorian calendar.[3][4][5]
In the Hindusolar calendar, it corresponds to the month ofMakara and begins with theSun's entry intoCapricorn.[6][7][8] It corresponds toMagh, the tenth month in theBengali calendar.[8] In theTamil calendar, it corresponds to the eleventh month ofMasi, falling in the Gregorian months of February–March.[8][9] In theVaishnav calendar, it corresponds to the eleventh month ofMadhava.[10][11]
In the Hindu lunar calendar, each month has 29 or 30 days. The month begins on the next day afterAmavasya (new moon) orPurnima (full moon) as peramanta andpurnimanta systems respectively. A month consists of two cycles of 15 days each,Shukla Paksha (waning moon) andKrishna Paksha (waxing moon). Days in each cycle is labeled as athithi, with each thithi repeating twice in a month.[12][13]
Bhishma Ashtami is observed on theAshtami (eighth lunar day)thithi ofShukla Paksha (waning moon) of the month. It commemorates the death anniversary ofBhishma, one of the central characters from theHindu epicMahabharata, who chose his time of death during the auspiciousUttarayana period.[14][15] On the day, people perform rituals at river banks to honour him and their ancestors.[16]
Makar Sankranti is aharvest festival that marks the transition of the Sun toCapricorn (Makara), beginning its northward journey (Uttarayana).[17] People celebrate the festival by thanking the Sun and nature for a good harvest.[18] Rituals including river bathing, preparation of sweets, kite flying, and social activities.[19]
Ratha Saptami falls onSaptami (seventh lunar day) of Shukla Paksha, and is dedicated to theSun godSurya.[20] As perHindu mythology, it marks the day when Surya rides his chariot (ratha) drawn by seven horses, and marks the coming of spring.[21] People bathe early in the morning and offer prayers to theSun for prosperity and health.[22]
Vasant Panchami is celebrated onPanchami (fifth lunar day) thithi of Shukla Paksha. The festival marks the end of winter and welcomes the impending arrival ofspring season (Vasanta).[23] It is dedicated to the worship of goddessSaraswati, the patron deity of knowledge, learning and arts.[24] People wear bright coloured clothes, symbolising the onset of spring, and often flykites.[25]
Magha Purnima, observed on thefull Moon day, marks the start of the annualMagh Mela,[26] and theKumbh Mela, held once in twelve years.[27]
The main festival is celebrated among four sacred sites in India, each located along the banks of a holy river, in a 12-year cycle.
