India’s timezone & time reference

10th

Paush

పౌష

Telugu

Dec 10–Jan 9 Lunar Capricorn (♑)

Major Festivals

Makar Sankranti / Bhogi

మకర సంక్రాంతి / భోగి

Mid Jan

Harvest festival marking the Sun's transition into Capricorn. Celebrated with bonfires (Bhogi), new clothes, and family meals. Known as Pongal in Tamil Nadu and Lohri in Punjab.

Paush Pournami

పౌష పౌర్ణమి

Late Dec–Early Jan

Full moon day of Paush, considered auspicious for charitable giving and ancestral rituals.

Auspicious Days for Rituals & Events

✓ Makar Sankranti (around Jan 14) — transition day, considered auspicious despite Capricorn's typically restrictive nature
✓ Paush Pournami — auspicious for Daan (charitable giving) and gratitude rituals

About Paush

Paush is winter's peak, marked by Makar Sankranti—the Sun's entry into Capricorn. While Paush month itself avoids major new beginnings (Capricorn's austerity), Makar Sankranti itself (the transition day) is highly auspicious. The month emphasizes endurance, discipline, and gratitude. Bhogi fires are lit to burn away negativity and old year's remnants. The harvest season's conclusion brings gratitude rituals and family feasts. Post-Makar Sankranti is considered slightly auspicious for minor ventures. Diaspora communities celebrate with Bhogi bonfire gatherings, exchanging new clothes, and preparing sugarcane-based sweets. Many participate in Makar Sankranti melas (fairs) organized by temples, viewing it as a harvest celebration and spiritual renewal point as the year transitions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of Makar Sankranti?
Makar Sankranti marks the Sun's astronomical transition into the Capricorn zodiac (Makara Rashi). It is celebrated across India as a harvest festival signifying the Sun's northward journey (Uttarayan), considered spiritually auspicious despite Capricorn's typically restrictive nature. The day is marked by bonfires (Bhogi), new clothes, charitable giving, and family feasts. It is one of the few all-India festivals celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, and others under different regional names (Pongal, Lohri, Makar Sankranti).
Why do people light Bhogi fires?
Bhogi fires symbolize the burning away of negativity, past year's remnants, and karmic impurities. The practice is rooted in agrarian cycles: farmers would clear fields post-harvest by burning stubble (Bhogi Jalikaranam). Spiritually, this translates to cleansing old patterns, releasing grudges, and starting fresh. Families gather around Bhogi fires, sing, and share meals, making it a communal purification ritual.
How do diaspora communities celebrate Bhogi and Makar Sankranti?
Diaspora Hindu organizations organize Bhogi celebrations in parks and community centers, arranging bonfires (where legally permitted) for symbolic participation. Families exchange new clothes and prepare traditional Makar Sankranti foods (sesame-jaggery sweets, sugarcane pieces). Temple celebrations include pujas followed by festive meals. Some diaspora immigrants video-call family in India, coordinating meal timings to celebrate together across time zones, maintaining cultural continuity.

View Paush in Other Languages

Tamil Hindi Kannada Gujarati Rajasthani
All Telugu Months