Sankranti Calendar 1996
The Sankranti festival calendar — the solar-transit festivities including Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Bihu, Lohri, Vishu and Vaisakhi, with the tithi for each day.
Sankranti 1996 lists 12 dates, beginning with Bhogi / Lohri on 14 January.
January 1996
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Bhogi / Lohri
Tithi 2:29 PM, Jan 13 – 2:02 PM, Jan 14
The eve of Makar Sankranti — Maharashtra cooks bhogichi bhaji, while Punjab and the Sindhi community (as Lal Loi) light the Lohri bonfire and offer sesame, jaggery and popcorn to bid winter farewell.
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Makar Sankranti / Uttarayan / Pongal
Tithi 2:13 PM, Jan 14 – 12:58 PM, Jan 15
The Sun begins its northward journey (Uttarayan); a harvest festival of til-gud (sesame and jaggery), with Gujarat's famous kite-flying and Tamil Nadu's Pongal.
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Mattu Pongal
Tithi 1:11 PM, Jan 15 – 11:08 AM, Jan 16
The third day of Pongal, when cattle are bathed, decorated and honoured for their role in farming.
April 1996
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Vishu
Tithi 1:42 PM, Apr 12 – 11:35 AM, Apr 13
The Malayalam astronomical new year; the auspicious Vishukkani is viewed at dawn for a prosperous year.
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Pana Sankranti (Maha Vishuba)
Tithi 1:42 PM, Apr 12 – 11:35 AM, Apr 13
The Odia new year (Maha Vishuba Sankranti), with the sweet pana drink, Jhamu Yatra and Danda Nata.
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Bohag Bihu (Rongali Bihu)
Tithi 1:42 PM, Apr 12 – 11:35 AM, Apr 13
Assam's spring new-year Bihu of Husori song, dance and feasting, as the Sun enters Mesha.
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Vaisakhi
Tithi 1:42 PM, Apr 12 – 11:35 AM, Apr 13
The Punjabi spring harvest new year and the founding of the Khalsa Panth, on Mesha Sankranti.
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Bisket Jatra
Tithi 1:42 PM, Apr 12 – 11:35 AM, Apr 13
Bhaktapur's chariot and pole festival welcoming the Nepali solar new year (Baishakh).
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Jur Sital (Maithili New Year)
Tithi 1:42 PM, Apr 12 – 11:35 AM, Apr 13
The Maithili new year (Mesha Sankranti / Satuani), when elders sprinkle cooling water as blessings.
July 1996
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Karka Sankranti (Dakshinayana Begins)
Tithi 9:44 PM, Jul 15 – 12:08 AM, Jul 17
The Sun enters Karka and begins its southward journey (Dakshinayana) — the night of the gods, opening the holy Chaturmas season of vrats and worship.
October 1996
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Kati Bihu (Kongali Bihu)
Tithi 5:49 PM, Oct 16 – 4:22 PM, Oct 17
The austere Bihu of lamps lit in the paddy fields and before the Tulsi for a good harvest, as the Sun enters Tula.
December 1996
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Dhanurmasam Begins
Tithi 5:51 AM, Dec 16 – 3:41 AM, Dec 17
The month of dawn Vishnu worship (Tiruppavai / Dhanurmasa) begins as the Sun enters Dhanu.
Tithi start and end times are shown in your local time. Festival dates follow the standard Indian (sunrise) calendar and may vary by a day in other regions, and may differ slightly from regional almanacs (especially around an Adhik Maas).
About the Sankranti Calendar
The Sankranti festival calendar — the solar-transit festivities including Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Bihu, Lohri, Vishu and Vaisakhi, with the tithi for each day.
Each entry lists the festival or vrat with its date, the prevailing tithi, and a short note on the observance. Dates are shown for the current and the coming year.