Thai 1 – Sun enters sidereal Makara (Capricorn) · All of South India

Pongal & Makara Sankranti 2027

Thai Pongal · Sankranti · Uttarayan

Date
Friday, 15 January 2027
Sunrise (Chennai): 6:35 AM
Sun enters sidereal Makara (Capricorn): Thu 14 Jan, 9:00 PM

About this festival

Pongal, called Makara Sankranti in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka, is the harvest festival held when the Sun enters Makara (Capricorn) in the sidereal zodiac. It marks the start of the Tamil month Thai and of Uttarayan, the Sun's northward journey. Unlike most Hindu festivals it follows the Sun, so its date barely moves: 14 or 15 January.

How it is observed

  • Pongal (rice cooked with milk and jaggery) is boiled in a new pot until it overflows, with shouts of "Pongalo Pongal!".
  • Offerings to the Sun God (Surya) in the morning.
  • Sugarcane, turmeric plants and colourful kolam / muggulu decorate homes.
  • In Karnataka, "ellu bella" (sesame and jaggery) is shared with friends.

All dates

DateNotes
Wednesday, 14 January 2026Sun enters sidereal Makara (Capricorn): Wed 14 Jan, 2:58 PM
Friday, 15 January 2027Sun enters sidereal Makara (Capricorn): Thu 14 Jan, 9:00 PM

Questions people ask

Why is Pongal on 14 January in some years and 15 January in others?

Pongal is the first day of Thai. If the Sun enters Makara before sunset, that day is Thai 1; if it enters after sunset, Pongal moves to the next day. The exact entry time is shown above.

Is Pongal the same as Makar Sankranti?

Yes, both mark the Sun entering Makara. Tamil Nadu celebrates it as Pongal over four days (Bhogi, Pongal, Mattu Pongal, Kaanum Pongal).

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