FESTIVALS & OBSERVANCES
Kharmas 2026-27: dates, rules and wedding plans
Kharmas starts on 16 December 2026 and ends around Makar Sankranti in January 2027. See what traditions avoid, what is fine, and how to plan around it.
· 2 min read
Dates
Kharmas, also called Dhanurmas, is the period when the Sun travels through Sagittarius (Dhanu). By our calculation the Sun enters Sagittarius around midday India time on 16 December 2026, which is Dhanu Sankranti. It enters Capricorn (Makar) late in the evening of 14 January 2027, so Makar Sankranti is observed on 14 or 15 January depending on the panchang and your location. Check a local almanac.
There is a separate Kharmas in March and April, when the Sun is in Pisces. Some web pages mix the two up, so make sure a date refers to the December and January one.
Why the period is treated differently
Sagittarius and Pisces are both ruled by Jupiter, the planet of auspicious beginnings. A common explanation in the tradition is that when the Sun, a powerful planet, is in a sign ruled by Jupiter, the usual timing for auspicious ceremonies is considered less supportive. Calendars also differ in how they treat this period, and not all traditions follow the pause.
What traditions typically avoid
Many families avoid starting weddings and engagements, mundan, upanayana (sacred thread ceremony), housewarming and the purchase of a new home during Kharmas. Priests often list the same set of ceremonies, although there is variation.
This is a custom followed by many families, not a rule of law. You are not required to follow it. If a date is fixed for practical reasons, speak to your family and your priest about what is acceptable.
What is fine, and regional differences
Daily life, work, studying, travel and ordinary purchases carry on. Many people treat Kharmas as a time for prayer, reading, charity and quiet reflection. In Tamil Nadu, the month of Margazhi begins around the same time and is considered especially auspicious for devotion, with early-morning prayers and music, even though weddings are traditionally avoided. Regions and families differ, so follow your own custom.
Planning around it
This year the wedding season is short. Dev Uthani Ekadashi on 20 or 21 November reopens it, and Kharmas starts on 16 December, a gap of about three and a half weeks. Read our guide to Dev Uthani Ekadashi and Tulsi Vivah for dates. Venues and priests book up quickly in short seasons, so start early.
If a family cares about both the season and chart compatibility, kundli matching is a separate step, and you can check a match for free. Remember that these are customs, and a long, happy marriage depends on much more than a calendar. If you are unsure, ask the people whose opinion you trust most.
Precautions
Do not pay large sums for a “Kharmas dosha remedy”, and do not cancel deposits or legal commitments without checking what you will lose. For a house purchase or any contract, follow the advice of a lawyer or adviser rather than the almanac. If you are anxious about a date, simple practices such as a daily prayer, a charity donation or time spent with family are the traditional response.
Frequently asked questions
When does Kharmas start in December 2026?
On 16 December 2026, when the Sun enters Sagittarius. It ends at Makar Sankranti, around 14 or 15 January 2027 depending on the panchang.
Can I get married during Kharmas?
Many families avoid weddings and engagements in this period, but it is a custom and not a legal rule. Speak with your family and priest about what is acceptable for you.
Is Kharmas the same as Margazhi?
The two begin at about the same time, with the Sun in Sagittarius. In Tamil Nadu, Margazhi is a month of devotion, although weddings are traditionally avoided in it.
Can I buy a house or car during Kharmas?
Some families wait for the period to end, while others do not follow the custom. For any major purchase, rely on financial and legal advice, and respect your family’s own tradition.
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