Dwadashi and Magha Shraddha 2026: Sanyasi Shraddha and the Nakshatra of the Pitris
Dwadashi Shraddha and Magha Shraddha both fall on Wednesday, 7 October 2026. Dwadashi is the day kept for ancestors who had taken sanyasa; Magha is the nakshatra whose presiding deities are the Pitris themselves. In 2026 the two coincide through the whole afternoon.
- Date: Wednesday, 7 October 2026
- Dwadashi tithi: 12:35 AM to 11:17 PM on 7 October
- Magha nakshatra: 10:18 PM on 6 October to 9:41 PM on 7 October
- Kutup muhurat: 11:45 AM – 12:31 PM
- Rauhina muhurat: 12:31 PM – 1:18 PM
- Aparahna: 1:18 PM – 3:39 PM
- Times: Delhi
Dwadashi: the shraddha of those who renounced
Every ancestor who passed away on a Dwadashi tithi is honoured on this day. In addition, the tradition sets Dwadashi aside for those who had taken sanyasa — who had formally renounced household life — which is why it is also known as Sanyasi Shraddha or Yati Shraddha. A sanyasi has, in principle, left the family behind; the family's remembrance of him or her is kept on this day rather than on the tithi of passing.
Customs for the shraddha of a renunciate differ between traditions and between monastic orders, and some orders have observances of their own. Where a sanyasi belonged to such an order, or your family has a settled practice, follow it.
Magha: the nakshatra of the Pitris
Magha is the tenth nakshatra, and its presiding deities are the Pitris — the ancestors themselves. When the Moon passes through Magha during Pitru Paksha, the tradition holds a shraddha offered in that window to be especially fruitful, since the offering is made while the ancestors' own nakshatra holds the sky. Like Maha Bharani, Magha Shraddha is observed in addition to the tithi shraddha, not in place of it.
How the 2026 dates were worked out
Dwadashi begins at 12:35 AM on Wednesday, 7 October and ends at 11:17 PM the same day, so it holds Wednesday's whole afternoon (Aparahna), from 1:18 PM to 3:39 PM. The Moon enters Magha at 10:18 PM on Tuesday and leaves it at 9:41 PM on Wednesday — it too holds the whole of Wednesday's Aparahna, and no other afternoon. Both shraddhas therefore fall on Wednesday. Some calendars printed for other cities put Magha a day earlier or later; the shraddha calendar for 2026 gives the complete Delhi fortnight.
The day after Indira Ekadashi
Tuesday, 6 October is Indira Ekadashi, the Ekadashi of Pitru Paksha. Those who keep its fast break it on the Dwadashi morning — the same Wednesday. If you are observing both, complete the parana in the morning and then turn to the shraddha, beginning in the Kutup muhurat at 11:45 AM.
How to perform the shraddha
The rites are those of any shraddha: tarpan facing south with water, black sesame and kusha grass, the pinda, and the meal for the ancestors, with portions for a cow, a dog and the crows. Complete them before the Aparahna ends at 3:39 PM. The full procedure is in the Pitru Paksha 2026 guide; many families close with the Pitra Gayatri mantra.
Frequently asked questions
When is Dwadashi shraddha in 2026?
On Wednesday, 7 October 2026. Dwadashi runs from 12:35 AM to 11:17 PM that day and holds the whole afternoon.
What is Sanyasi Shraddha?
It is the Dwadashi shraddha of Pitru Paksha, which the tradition keeps for ancestors who had taken sanyasa. It is also called Yati Shraddha.
When is Magha Shraddha in 2026?
Also on Wednesday, 7 October 2026. Magha nakshatra runs from 10:18 PM on 6 October to 9:41 PM on 7 October, so it holds Wednesday's afternoon.
Why is Magha nakshatra important for shraddha?
The presiding deities of Magha are the Pitris, the ancestors themselves. A shraddha offered while the Moon is in Magha during Pitru Paksha is held by the tradition to be especially fruitful.
What is the muhurat for 7 October 2026?
In Delhi, Kutup is 11:45 AM to 12:31 PM, Rauhina 12:31 PM to 1:18 PM, and the Aparahna 1:18 PM to 3:39 PM.
