Mahalaya Paksha begins 2026 – Date
Mahalaya Paksha begins (Pitru Paksha) in 2026 falls on Sunday 27 September 2026 in the Telugu states (Hyderabad, IST).
Mahalaya Paksha (Pitru Paksha) is the dark fortnight of Bhadrapada, from Bahula Padyami to Amavasya, when tarpanam and shraddha are offered to the ancestors; each day is matched to the tithi on which a forebear died, and Mahalaya Amavasya is the day for all. The fortnight ends the day before Sharad Navaratri begins. Shraddha is performed at aparahna, so the first day is fixed by the tithi present in the afternoon.
Tithi timing
Bahula Padyami begins 26 September 2026 at 10:19 PM IST and ends 27 September 2026 at 8:59 PM IST.
How the date is decided
Bhadrapada bahula padyami at aparahna (shraddha kala) opens the fortnight.
Date by city
| Cities | Date | |
|---|---|---|
| Hyderabad | Telangana, India | Sunday 27 September 2026 |
| Vijayawada | Andhra Pradesh, India | Sunday 27 September 2026 |
| Visakhapatnam | Andhra Pradesh, India | Sunday 27 September 2026 |
| Tirupati | Andhra Pradesh, India | Sunday 27 September 2026 |
| Bengaluru | Karnataka, India | Sunday 27 September 2026 |
| Chennai | Tamil Nadu, India | Sunday 27 September 2026 |
| Mumbai | Maharashtra, India | Sunday 27 September 2026 |
| Delhi | Delhi, India | Sunday 27 September 2026 |
| Los Angeles | California, USA | Saturday 26 September 2026 |
| San Francisco Bay Area | California, USA | Saturday 26 September 2026 |
| Chicago | Illinois, USA | Saturday 26 September 2026 |
| Dallas | Texas, USA | Saturday 26 September 2026 |
| New York | New York, USA | Saturday 26 September 2026 |
| Atlanta | Georgia, USA | Saturday 26 September 2026 |
| London | United Kingdom | Sunday 27 September 2026 |
| Sydney | Australia | Sunday 27 September 2026 |
| Dubai | United Arab Emirates | Sunday 27 September 2026 |
| Singapore | Singapore | Sunday 27 September 2026 |
Different date in: Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, Chicago, Dallas, New York, Atlanta — the tithi is judged against each city's own sunrise and local time (daylight saving included), so the day can shift for cities west of India.
FAQ
When is Mahalaya Paksha begins in 2026?
Mahalaya Paksha begins 2026 is on Sunday 27 September 2026 in India (Hyderabad, IST). In Los Angeles it is on Saturday 26 September 2026.
Which tithi is Mahalaya Paksha begins?
Bahula Padyami of Bhadrapada masa (amanta).
How is the date of Mahalaya Paksha begins decided?
Bhadrapada bahula padyami at aparahna (shraddha kala) opens the fortnight.
What day of the week is Mahalaya Paksha begins 2026?
Sunday.
Related
- Shravana Somavaram – Monday 7 September 2026
- Mangala Gauri Vratam – Tuesday 8 September 2026
- Polala Amavasya – Friday 11 September 2026
- Shravana Sukravaram – Friday 11 September 2026
- Bhadrapada Masam begins – Saturday 12 September 2026
- Vinayaka Chavithi – Monday 14 September 2026
- Anantha Chaturdashi (Anantha Padmanabha Vratam) – Friday 25 September 2026
- Undralla Taddi – Tuesday 29 September 2026
- Bathukamma begins (Engili Pula Bathukamma) – Saturday 10 October 2026
- Mahalaya Amavasya – Saturday 10 October 2026
- Ashwayuja Masam begins – Sunday 11 October 2026
- Sharad Navaratri (Dasara) begins – Sunday 11 October 2026
- Saraswati Puja (Mula Nakshatram) – Saturday 17 October 2026
Mahalaya Paksha begins 2027 · Festivals 2026 · Festivals September 2026 · Calendar September 2026