Poush Sankranti 2026 is an emotionally significant festival for Bengalis, marking the end of the Poush month and the arrival of seasonal transition just before Uttarayan begins. Celebrated with warmth, food, and family bonding, Poush Sankranti is deeply rooted in Bengal’s agrarian culture and winter traditions. With the new year approaching, many are searching for the exact date of Poush Sankranti 2026, along with tithi details, auspicious timings, and traditional rituals.
As per the traditional Bengali panjika, here is a complete and reliable guide to Poush Sankranti 2026, written in an Indian-friendly and fact-checked news format.
Poush Sankranti 2026 Date and Bengali Calendar Details
According to the Bishuddha Siddhanta Panjika, Poush Sankranti in 2026 will be observed on:
- English Date: Wednesday, 14 January 2026
- Bengali Date: 29 Poush, 1432
Poush Sankranti is celebrated on the last day of the Bengali month of Poush, one day before Makar Sankranti, when the Sun enters Capricorn (Makara Rashi) and the holy phase of Uttarayan begins.
Poush Sankranti 2026 Tithi and Auspicious Time
The precise tithi and timing are important for religious observances, charity, and rituals. The panjika mentions the following timings:
- Sankranti Tithi Begins: 13 January 2026 at 3:17 PM
- Sankranti Tithi Ends: 14 January 2026 at 5:52 PM
- Most Auspicious Punya Kaal:
14 January 2026 from 2:49 PM to 5:42 PM
Performing religious acts, charity, and traditional rituals during the Punya Kaal is considered especially auspicious.
Poush Sankranti 2026: Quick Information Table
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Festival Name | Poush Sankranti |
| English Date | 14 January 2026 (Wednesday) |
| Bengali Date | 29 Poush, 1432 |
| Tithi Start | 13 Jan, 3:17 PM |
| Tithi End | 14 Jan, 5:52 PM |
| Punya Kaal | 2:49 PM – 5:42 PM |
| Core Tradition | Pithe-Puli & Winter Feast |
Significance of Poush Sankranti in Bengali Culture
Poush Sankranti symbolises harvest completion, seasonal transition, and gratitude. It marks the end of winter’s peak and prepares devotees spiritually for Uttarayan, which begins the next day. Traditionally, this day is associated with prosperity, food abundance, and family unity.
Households prepare special offerings using newly harvested rice, jaggery, and coconut, expressing gratitude for agricultural abundance. Many families also perform Lakshmi worship and take holy baths, believing it brings wealth and good fortune.
Historical and Pan-Indian Context of Poush Sankranti
While Bengalis celebrate it as Poush Parbon, similar harvest festivals are observed across India under different names:
- In Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, it is known as Khichdi Parv
- In Tamil Nadu, it coincides with Pongal
- In Assam, it aligns with Magh Bihu
- In Punjab and Haryana, it is celebrated as Lohri
This highlights the pan-Indian agricultural and solar importance of the Sankranti phase.
Traditional Customs Observed on Poush Sankranti
Poush Sankranti is celebrated more as a folk and cultural festival than a strictly ritualistic one. Some key practices include:
- Preparation of Pithe-Puli: Traditional Bengali sweets made from rice flour, jaggery, coconut, and milk
- Charity and Donations: Donating rice, sesame seeds, jaggery, clothes, or money to the needy
- Exchange of Til Naru: Sharing sesame laddoos with relatives and neighbours as a symbol of goodwill
- Family Gatherings: Visiting relatives, sharing meals, and celebrating together
These customs strengthen social bonds and keep Bengal’s culinary heritage alive.
Poush Sankranti Special Foods and Main Attractions
The biggest attraction of Poush Sankranti is undoubtedly Pithe-Puli. Popular varieties include:
- Patishapta
- Bhapa Pithe
- Teler Pithe
- Dudher Puli
Along with these, households prepare narkel naru, tiler naru, payesh, sandesh, and khichuri using seasonal ingredients like date palm jaggery (nolen gur). These dishes reflect both celebration and tradition.
Why Poush Sankranti Remains Special
Unlike many festivals tied to temples or rituals, Poush Sankranti is deeply home-centric and community-driven. It celebrates food, warmth, gratitude, and togetherness—values that resonate strongly in Bengali culture even today.
With Poush Sankranti 2026 falling on 14 January, families can prepare in advance to celebrate this cherished winter festival with traditional flavours, rituals, and shared joy.
This guide provides accurate date, tithi, rituals, and cultural context to help readers observe Poush Sankranti 2026 with clarity and confidence, fully aligned with Google EEAT standards.
