Kharmas 2026–27: Start and End Dates, What Not to Do and Pujas to Keep

வெளியிடப்பட்டது 02 நவம்பர் 2026 · புதுப்பிக்கப்பட்டது 02 நவம்பர் 2026

Kharmas 2026 begins on Wednesday, 16 December 2026, when the Sun enters Dhanu (Sagittarius) at around 10:20–10:30 AM IST. It ends when the Sun enters Makara (Capricorn) at about 9:10 PM on 14 January 2027, so Makar Sankranti is kept on Friday, 15 January. In tradition weddings pause, while Surya, Vishnu and Satyanarayan worship continues.

Kharmas 2026 date: when it starts and ends

Kharmas lasts for the Sun's month in Dhanu, so its dates follow two sankrantis.

Panchangs differ by a few minutes on the Dhanu Sankranti moment, from 10:21 AM to 10:29 AM. Makar Sankranti punya kaal is on Friday 15 January 2027, as the Sun enters Makara at about 9:10 PM on 14 January. Government calendars and the Haridwar mela list it on 14 January. New Delhi timings; your city may differ by a few minutes.

Some people call this period Malmas. That name is more often used for Adhik Maas, the extra lunar month, so check which one a calendar means. The next Kharmas comes when the Sun is in Meena (Pisces), from mid-March to mid-April 2027.

What is Kharmas

Kharmas, also written Khar Maas, is the solar month when the Sun moves through Dhanu. It comes again when the Sun moves through Meena. Both signs are ruled by Guru (Jupiter). Tradition treats these months as a time for devotion, daan and japa rather than new beginnings.

In South India the same solar month is Margazhi, or Dhanurmasa. Vaishnava temples hold pre-dawn worship, and devotees sing Andal's Tiruppavai through the month.

Kharmas me kya nahi karna chahiye: what tradition pauses

• Weddings (vivah) and, in many families, engagements
• Griha pravesh, entering a new home
• Mundan, a child's first haircut
• Upanayana, the sacred thread ceremony
• Bhoomi pujan to start building a house

Customs vary by region and family, so ask your family priest about any muhurat. Daily worship, vrats and festival pujas are not paused. If a wedding or griha pravesh is planned for winter, families usually fix it before 16 December or after Makar Sankranti. Vivah Panchami falls just before Kharmas, on 14 December. Related: Vivah Panchami 2026 date and Sita Ram vivah puja.

What devotees keep doing during Kharmas

• Surya arghya: Offer water to the rising Sun from a copper lota, with red flowers and akshat. Recite the Aditya Hridayam or chant "Om Suryaya Namah".
• Vishnu worship: Recite the Vishnu Sahasranama and keep the Ekadashi fasts that fall in this month.
• Satyanarayan katha: Many families hold the katha on Purnima.
• Daan: Give food, blankets and warm clothes to those in need during the winter.
• Japa and snan: Chant your ishta mantra daily, and take holy dips on Purnima, Amavasya and Makar Sankranti.

Learn the steps in Surya puja vidhi: arghya and archana. These observances fall within Kharmas 2026–27:

Paush Amavasya is the purnimanta name; amanta calendars call it Margashirsha Amavasya.

Pujas you can book during Kharmas

• Vishesh Surya Puja — Ayodhya: worship of Surya Dev at Suryakund in Ayodhya.
• Surya Namaskaram — Suryanarayana Swamy Temple, Arasavalli: salutations to Surya with mantras and offerings.
• Surya Archana — Suryanar Kovil, near Kumbakonam: archana at the Navagraha temple of Surya.
• Satyanarayan Katha — Chakra Tirth, Naimisharanya: a Purnima katha for two yajmans.
• Vishnu Sahasranama Path — Sakshi Gopal Temple, Sakhigopal: the thousand names of Vishnu, with up to four names in the sankalp.
• Ganga Pujan & Deep Daan — Har Ki Pauri, Haridwar: worship of Maa Ganga with lamps on the river.

Browse Surya and Navgraha pujas and Satyanarayan Katha. When you book, your name and gotra are taken in the sankalp, and video, photos or a receipt are shared as each puja page states. Divine Hindu is an independent service, not affiliated with the temple administration.

In tradition, Makar Sankranti marks the start of Uttarayan, the Sun's northward journey, and the return of muhurats for ceremonies. For the festival that ends Kharmas, read Makar Sankranti 2027: date and puja vidhi. For Surya's place in worship, see Surya puja: meaning and tradition.

Frequently asked questions

Kharmas kab se hai 2026?

Kharmas 2026 begins on Wednesday, 16 December 2026, with Dhanu Sankranti. The Sun enters Dhanu (Sagittarius) at around 10:20–10:30 AM IST, as panchangs differ by a few minutes. It runs until the Sun enters Makara on the night of 14 January 2027, a month later.

When does Kharmas end: 14 or 15 January 2027?

The Sun enters Makara at about 9:10 PM on Thursday, 14 January 2027, after sunset. So the panchang keeps Makar Sankranti punya kaal on Friday, 15 January. Government calendars and the Haridwar mela list 14 January. Families resume ceremonies after Makar Sankranti, as their priest advises.

Kharmas me kya nahi karna chahiye?

In tradition, auspicious ceremonies pause during Kharmas: weddings, griha pravesh, mundan, upanayana and bhoomi pujan for a new house. Many families also avoid engagements. Customs vary by region, so ask your family priest. Daily worship, vrats, festival pujas, daan and japa all continue as usual.

Can we do puja and vrat during Kharmas?

Yes. Kharmas pauses new beginnings, not worship. Devotees offer Surya arghya, worship Vishnu, keep Ekadashi fasts and hold Satyanarayan katha on Purnima. In 2026, Mokshada Ekadashi, Gita Jayanti and Datta Jayanti all fall within Kharmas and are kept as usual.

Is Kharmas the same as Malmas?

Some people call Kharmas Malmas. But the name Malmas is more often used for Adhik Maas, the extra lunar month that keeps the calendar in step with the seasons. Kharmas is a solar month, set by the Sun's time in Dhanu or Meena. Check which one a calendar means.

Is Kharmas the same as Dhanurmasa or Margazhi?

Yes, the December–January Kharmas is the same solar month, when the Sun is in Dhanu. In North India it is called Kharmas and new ceremonies pause. In South India it is Margazhi or Dhanurmasa, when Vaishnava temples hold pre-dawn worship and devotees sing Andal's Tiruppavai.

To explore temple pujas for every occasion, visit Pooja Seva.

Pujas are offered in faith; no outcome is promised.