Magh month or Magh maas (January – February) is the most auspicious month for devotees of Lord Shiva. Magh maas is the 11th Hindu month. Magh month 2010 starts on January 1, 2010 and ends on January 30, 2010 as per North Indian calendars followed in Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar and Orissa. As per Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh calendars, Magha Month will start on January 16, 2010 and end on February 13, 2010.
Magh Mela is the major event during the month. The important Hindu festivals like Makar Sankranti, Basant Panchami, Rath Saptami (Surya Jayanti) and Bhishma Ekadasi are observed during the month of Maghi. Magh Mela begins on Magh Pratipada or Magha Padyami day and continues till Maha Shivaratri. In 2010, Hardiwar Maha Kumbh Mela is also observed during Magh Month. It will start in January, 2010 and end in April, 2010.
Magh Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Shakti. It is one of the Gupt Navratri. The other Gupt Navratri is Ashad Navratri.