Odia Calendar Magha (JANUARY-FEBRUARY) 2025

Magha month in the Hindu calendar is the period between January and February. It is an important month in Hinduism for many reasons.

Basanta Panchami is celebrated in India on the fifth day of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the month of Magha. Basanta Panchami festival is dedicated to the Goddess Saraswati-Goddess of knowledge, music, language, and arts.

In the state of Odisha, the festival is also known as Sri Panchami and Saraswati Puja. Pujas and Homas (fire sacrifice) are performed in schools and colleges throughout the state. Students observe Saraswati Puja with utmost dedication and devotion.

In Odisha, Magha Saptami is observed in Magha on the seventh day (Saptami) of the bright half (Shukla Paksha). A holy day dedicated to the Sun God. The popular and colorful festival at Chandrabhaga occurs during this time, attracting a great assembly of pilgrims from different corners of the globe. These pilgrims take a dip in the waters of Chandrabhaga Tirtha near the beach and welcome the rising Sun with prayers. The belief surrounding the dip is that it cures illnesses; in spiritual terms, it is said to equate to dipping oneself in the holy Ganges.

Makara Sankranti is celebrated in the month of Magha. This festival of the Sun God Surya celebrates when Sundarkar will have its transition into Makara Rashi (Capricorn). Hence, from this day, the days begin to lengthen and become warmer, and so the long winter recedes. On this day, the people from Odisha would prepare ‘Makara chaula’ and offer it to the Gods and Goddesses. These are, however, incompletely prepared with newly harvested uncooked rice mixed with bananas, coconut, jaggery, sesame, rasagola, and Khai or Lia.

Maha Shivaratri takes place on the Chaturdashi Tithi during the dark fortnight of the month of Magha. On this day, devotees fast, perform Rudra Abhishek, and worship Lord Shiva to receive his blessings. In Odisha, the festival is known as ‘Jagara’. For the devotees of Lord Shiva, the day is one of fasting to fulfill their wishes.

The fast is broken after the great diya is lit at the top of Shiva temples-usually held at midnight. Shivaratri is celebrated as the anniversary of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It celebrates the victory of Lord Shiva in saving the world by gulping down the pot of poison. It is also believed that those who do puja, fast, and invoke Lord Shiva during this auspicious night are granted good fortune.

Written below is the Odia calendar for January and February of the current year. You can check here for the timings of Sunrise and Sunset, dates of Purima and Amavasya, all the important dates for marriages, thread ceremony and also the other festivals and all.