10th

Paush

पौष

Hindi/Devanagari

Dec 10–Jan 9 Lunar Capricorn (♑)

Major Festivals

Makar Sankranti

मकर संक्रांति

Mid Jan

Sun's transition into Capricorn, celebrated as harvest festival. Known as Makar Sankranti (North), Lohri (Punjab), Pongal (South Tamil Nadu), and Uttarayan. Celebrated with sugarcane, new clothes, and family meals.

Lohri

लोहड़ी

Jan 13

Punjabi harvest festival celebrated the evening before Makar Sankranti. Bonfires (Lohri fires) are lit, and sugarcane, peanuts, and jaggery are offered to the fire and shared as Prasadam.

Auspicious Days for Rituals & Events

✓ Makar Sankranti (around Jan 14) — transition day, mildly auspicious despite Capricorn's general restrictions

✓ Paush month generally — avoided for major new initiatives due to Capricorn's austere nature

About Paush

पौष (Paush) marks winter's peak and the Sun's transition into Capricorn (Makar Sankranti). While Paush month emphasizes austerity and discipline (Capricorn's typical traits), Makar Sankranti itself—the transition day—gains auspiciousness as the Sun begins its northward journey (Uttarayan), considered spiritually significant. Lohri (Punjabi harvest festival) celebrates the harvest with bonfires and sugarcane offerings. The month emphasizes gratitude for harvest abundance and preparation for spring's arrival. Diaspora Punjabi communities celebrate Lohri with bonfire gatherings (where legally permitted), traditional foods (makki di roti—cornbread, sarso da saag—mustard greens), and sugarcane. Many perform Makar Sankranti pujas at home or temples, marking the auspicious solar transition.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Makar Sankranti 2026?

Makar Sankranti 2026 falls on January 14, 2026, marking the Sun's transition into Capricorn. While the lunar date varies yearly, Makar Sankranti is typically celebrated on January 14 or 15 in North India, with South India celebrating Pongal on the same date. This is one of the few all-India festivals celebrated on a fixed solar date rather than lunar date.

What is Lohri and how is it different from Makar Sankranti?

Lohri (Punjabi harvest festival) is celebrated on January 13, the evening before Makar Sankranti. Families light bonfires (Lohri fires), offer sugarcane, peanuts, jaggery, and popcorn to the fire, and share Prasadam. Lohri is specifically Punjabi and has folk traditions distinct from the pan-Indian Makar Sankranti. However, both celebrate the same harvest season and mark the Sun's transition northward.

How do diaspora communities celebrate Makar Sankranti and Lohri?

Diaspora Punjabi communities organize Lohri celebrations with bonfire gatherings in community spaces, traditional food preparation (makki roti, sarso da saag), and folk dances. North Indian communities celebrate Makar Sankranti at temples with pujas and distribution of til-gur (sesame-jaggery sweets). South Indian diaspora celebrates Pongal with special rice cooked in earthen pots and cattle blessings. Diaspora Hindu associations often organize multi-regional harvest festival celebrations, showcasing how different regions celebrate the same solar event.

View Paush in Other Languages

Tamil Telugu Kannada Gujarati Rajasthani