Magh

Magh, also written Maagh or Maag, is a month used in several South Asian calendars, including the Hindu lunar calendar and the Nepali calendar. It is named after the nakshatra Magha, one of the 27 lunar mansions in Indian astrology, and the name is reflected in various regional calendars such as Nepali, Bengali, and other Indian traditions. In the Nepali calendar, Magh is the tenth month of the year. The month is also recognized in Bengal and other parts of the region, where it roughly corresponds to the mid-winter period.

Timeframe and correspondences can vary by calendar system, but Magh generally falls in January and February of the Gregorian calendar. The exact dates shift with local calculations of lunar and solar cycles.

Cultural and religious observances associated with Magh vary by community. The full moon day of Magh is observed as Magh Purnima by Hindus and Buddhists in parts of South Asia, often marked by pilgrimages, rituals, and prayers at sacred rivers. In Nepal and northern India, Magh is linked with the observance of Maghi, a festival that centers on communal gatherings and religious rites. The month also aligns with winter festivities and various regional traditions, with practices differing across communities and regions.

Magh is thus a calendarmatic month with religious, cultural, and seasonal significance that shifts in date and form across Nepal, India, and Bangladesh, reflecting the diversity of regional calendars and traditions.