Pausha
पौष
December – JanuaryAlso spelled: Paush, Pous
Coldest month. Sun begins its northward journey at Makar Sankranti (transitioning from Pausha to Magha). Tamil Pongal and Punjabi Lohri fall around the same time.
Nakshatra
Pushya
Where the full moon falls in this month
Presiding deity
Surya — the sun
Seasonal element
Cold / dormant
Agricultural rhythm
Coldest month; rabi crops in growing phase; days shortest.
Spiritual character
Pausha is traditionally the year's most austere month — many auspicious actions pause until Makar Sankranti (when the sun begins its northward journey). On Sankranti the energy reverses: Uttarayana begins, days lengthen, and ritual life resumes.
Key observances this month
- •Makar Sankranti (sun enters Capricorn) — Pongal, Bihu, Lohri, Uttarayan
- •Pausha Purnima — sacred bathing day, especially at Prayag
- •Shakambari Purnima — goddess of vegetables / abundance
Auspicious for
- ✓Pitru tarpana
- ✓Donation
- ✓River bathing on Sankranti
Traditionally avoided
- ✗Marriage (until after Makar Sankranti — Dakshinayana ends)
- ✗Gruha pravesh
- ✗Major auspicious sankalpa
Festivals in Pausha
Vikram Samvat 2083
Lohri
13 Jan 2027 · Wed
Solar (eve of Makar Sankranti)
Punjab's harvest bonfire festival — celebrated on the eve of Makar Sankranti.
Bhogi Pandigai
14 Jan 2027 · Thu
Solar (eve of Thai Pongal)
The first day of the Tamil 4-day Pongal harvest festival — old things go on the bonfire.
Makar Sankranti
14 Jan 2027 · Thu
Sun enters Capricorn (solar — not lunar tithi)
The sun begins its northward journey — the most auspicious solar event.
Thai Pongal
15 Jan 2027 · Fri
Sun enters Capricorn (solar)
Tamil Nadu's harvest festival — sweet pongal cooked in a new clay pot facing the rising sun.
Magh Bihu
15 Jan 2027 · Fri
Sun enters Capricorn (solar — Magh Sankranti)
Assam's harvest festival — Uruka feast, Meji bonfire, and 7 days of feasting.
Mattu Pongal
16 Jan 2027 · Sat
Solar (day after Thai Pongal)
Cattle worship — the third day of Pongal honours the bulls and cows that work the fields.
Vikram Samvat 2084
Bhogi Pandigai
14 Jan 2028 · Fri
Solar (eve of Thai Pongal)
The first day of the Tamil 4-day Pongal harvest festival — old things go on the bonfire.
Lohri
14 Jan 2028 · Fri
Solar (eve of Makar Sankranti)
Punjab's harvest bonfire festival — celebrated on the eve of Makar Sankranti.
Thai Pongal
15 Jan 2028 · Sat
Sun enters Capricorn (solar)
Tamil Nadu's harvest festival — sweet pongal cooked in a new clay pot facing the rising sun.
Makar Sankranti
15 Jan 2028 · Sat
Sun enters Capricorn (solar — not lunar tithi)
The sun begins its northward journey — the most auspicious solar event.
Mattu Pongal
16 Jan 2028 · Sun
Solar (day after Thai Pongal)
Cattle worship — the third day of Pongal honours the bulls and cows that work the fields.
Magh Bihu
16 Jan 2028 · Sun
Sun enters Capricorn (solar — Magh Sankranti)
Assam's harvest festival — Uruka feast, Meji bonfire, and 7 days of feasting.