Dhanurmasam 2026 USA: Margazhi Start and End Dates City by City, Dhanu Sankranti Times and a Daily Tiruppavai Routine

Quick answer: Dhanurmasam 2026 USA dates: the month (Tamil Margazhi) begins with Dhanu Sankranti on the evening of Tuesday 15 December 2026 in every US time zone, so the first Dhanurmasam dawn is Wednesday 16 December. It ends with Makar Sankranti on the morning of Thursday 14 January 2027. The last Dhanurmasam dawn is Thursday 14 January in most cities and Wednesday 13 January in Seattle.

Dhanurmasam is the solar month when the Sun travels through Dhanu rashi (Sagittarius). In South Indian Vaishnava tradition it is the most sacred month for dawn worship of Vishnu: Andal's Tiruppavai is sung one verse a day, homes draw kolam at the door, and temples offer pongal to the Lord before sunrise. Inside the month this year fall Vaikuntha Ekadashi and the full moon of Margashirsha.

How these dates were made: the US times and dates below are computed with HinduTone's sunrise-tithi calculator (Drik Panchang method, validated to within 1–2 minutes). Please confirm on Drik Panchang for your own city and follow your temple's calendar. All times are local.

Dhanurmasam 2026 dates by US city

Two things stand out. First, Dhanu Sankranti comes after dark everywhere in the continental USA, so Wednesday 16 December is the first dawn of the month in every city. Second, Makar Sankranti arrives on the morning of Thursday 14 January. In most cities that is after local sunrise, so 14 January is still a Dhanurmasam dawn. In Seattle, where winter sunrise comes later, our calculation places Makar Sankranti before sunrise, so Seattle's last Dhanurmasam dawn is Wednesday 13 January.

Counting day one: regional calendars use different rules to decide which day is the first of a solar month. Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayali calendars do not always agree, and US temples follow their own tradition. Use the table to see when the Sun changes sign, then follow your temple's calendar for the day the month is formally counted.

India and USA compared

Never convert India's Sankranti time to a US clock to find your date. The Sun's entry into Dhanu is a single moment worldwide, but whether it falls before or after your sunrise depends on where you live. That is why the table above is worked out city by city.

Festivals inside Dhanurmasam 2026 in the USA

Vaikuntha Ekadashi is the high point of the month. As commonly told, the gates of Vaikuntha open on this day, and Vishnu temples open a symbolic northern "Vaikuntha dwaram" for devotees to pass through. Many Venkateswara and Vishnu temples in the USA hold special programmes; check your temple's website for its plans, as we do not list timings. Read the full Vaikuntha Ekadashi 2026 guide for Hindus in the USA and Gita Jayanti 2026 in the USA, city by city.

The full moon inside the month, kept as Dhanurmasa Pournami, is also Datta Jayanti this year; see Dhanurmasa Pournami 2026 and Datta Jayanti 2026 in the USA. Shaiva families also keep Arudra Darshanam, the festival of Nataraja, in this month; for its meaning and rituals see Dhanurmasa Arudra 2026, and confirm the US date on Drik Panchang or with your temple.

A daily Dhanurmasam routine for American winter mornings

The traditional routine is built around the hours before sunrise. In much of the USA, December sunrise comes late, so there is time for a short puja before work or school even on weekdays. Here is a routine families can adapt:

• 1. Wake before dawn: rise about an hour before your local sunrise. Check the exact time for your city in a sunrise app or on Drik Panchang, since it changes through the month.
• 2. Kolam or rangoli: draw a kolam at the entrance. In New York, Chicago, DC and Seattle, the doorstep is often frozen or wet, so use a board, a mat or a tray indoors near the front door. In Houston, Dallas, Phoenix and Southern California, a small outdoor rangoli with rice flour usually works.
• 3. Lamp and Vishnu puja: light a ghee lamp before an image of Vishnu, Krishna or Venkateswara, offer tulasi and flowers, and chant a few names of the Lord.
• 4. One Tiruppavai pasuram a day: Andal's Tiruppavai has 30 verses, one for each day of the month. The first begins "Margazhi thingal mathi niraindha nannalal". Read the day's verse and its meaning; children can learn one line a day.
• 5. Pongal naivedyam: ven pongal (rice and moong dal with pepper, cumin and ghee) or sakkarai pongal (with jaggery) is the classic Dhanurmasam offering. Make a small batch on weekdays and a larger one on weekends to share.
• 6. Close with an aarti: a short aarti and prasadam for everyone before the day begins.

For the full step-by-step version, see Dhanurmasam daily rituals for families, kids and NRIs. For all 30 verses with meanings, see Tiruppavai 30 pasurams: complete devotional guide, and for India's day-by-day verse schedule, Dhanurmasam 2026 dates and Tiruppavai schedule.

Tiruppavai and Margazhi: why this month matters

As commonly told, Andal, the only woman among the twelve Alvars, imagined herself as a cowherd girl of Vrindavan keeping a vow through the month of Margazhi to win Krishna. Her 30 verses wake her friends before dawn, go to Krishna's door and ask for his grace. Recited in order, they form a month-long journey that ends with surrender to the Lord.

Tamil families also know the month through Margazhi music and bhajan traditions, and Shaiva households sing Manikkavasagar's Tiruvempavai. For the Tamil festival calendar of the month, see Margazhi 2026: Tamil month festivals.

The holiday season and Dhanurmasam: practical tips

• Christmas and New Year: Dhanurmasam covers the whole American holiday season. A short dawn routine keeps the month's spirit even during office parties, travel and guests.
• Winter break: school winter break in many districts begins around the third week of December. That is a good time for children to take over the kolam and learn a few pasurams.
• Travel to India: if you fly to India in late December, India's calendar takes over when you land. In India too the month began on Wednesday 16 December.
• Snow and ice: in northern cities, do not let early-morning temple visits put you on icy roads in the dark. A home puja is a complete observance.
• Lamps indoors: keep diyas on a metal plate, away from Christmas trees, curtains and smoke alarms, and never leave a flame alone.

For every December festival date in the USA, see our December 2026 Hindu festivals in the USA guide.

Dhanurmasam 2026 USA: frequently asked questions

When does Dhanurmasam 2026 start in New York?

Dhanu Sankranti, the Sun's entry into Sagittarius, falls at 11:41 PM on Tuesday 15 December 2026 in New York. Because that is after dark, the first Dhanurmasam dawn is Wednesday 16 December. Edison, Washington DC and Atlanta have the same times.

When does Margazhi 2026 start in California?

In Los Angeles and the Bay Area, Dhanu Sankranti falls at 8:41 PM on Tuesday 15 December 2026, local time, and the first Dhanurmasam (Margazhi) dawn is Wednesday 16 December. Regional calendars count day one in their own ways, so follow your temple.

When does Dhanurmasam 2026 end in the USA?

It ends with Makar Sankranti on Thursday 14 January 2027: 10:26 AM Eastern, 9:26 AM Central, 8:26 AM in Phoenix and 7:26 AM Pacific. The last Dhanurmasam dawn is Thursday 14 January in every city in our table except Seattle, where it is Wednesday 13 January.

When is Vaikuntha Ekadashi during Dhanurmasam 2026 in the USA?

Sunday 20 December 2026 in New York, Edison, Washington DC, Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Dallas and Phoenix. In Los Angeles, the Bay Area and Seattle, Smarta households keep Saturday 19 December and Vaishnava traditions Sunday 20 December.

Can I recite Tiruppavai after sunrise if I work early?

Yes. Dawn is the traditional time, but devotion matters more than the clock. Many working families recite the day's pasuram before leaving home, or in the evening, and save the full dawn routine for weekends.

Is Dhanurmasam the same as Margazhi?

Yes. Both are the solar month when the Sun is in Dhanu (Sagittarius). Telugu and Kannada families call it Dhanurmasam, and Tamil families call it Margazhi. It is a different reckoning from the lunar month of Margashirsha.

Editor's note

Editor's note (6 October 2026): This guide has been restored at its original address after the earlier version was lost. The US Dhanu Sankranti and Makar Sankranti times, the first and last Dhanurmasam dawns and the festival dates are computed with our sunrise-tithi calculator (Drik Panchang method, validated to 1–2 minutes). Please confirm on Drik Panchang for your city and follow your temple's calendar, especially for how your tradition counts the first day of the month. We do not list temple events, darshan timings or programmes; check your temple directly. Legends are given as commonly told.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Seattle's last Dhanurmasam dawn on 13 January 2027?

Makar Sankranti falls at 7:26 AM on Thursday 14 January 2027 in Seattle, which the calculation places before local sunrise. So the last Dhanurmasam dawn there is Wednesday 13 January, while most other US cities end on Thursday 14 January.

Can I convert India's Dhanu Sankranti time to find my US date?

No. The Sun's entry into Dhanu is one moment worldwide, but whether it falls before or after your sunrise depends on your city. India's Sankranti is about 10:11 AM IST on 16 December 2026, while US cities see it on the evening of 15 December.

When is Vaikuntha Ekadashi during Dhanurmasam 2026 in the USA?

It falls on Sunday 20 December 2026 in New York, Chicago, Houston and several other cities. In Los Angeles, the Bay Area and Seattle, Smarta families keep Saturday 19 December and Vaishnavas keep Sunday 20 December.

How can NRI families do a Dhanurmasam routine on dark winter mornings?

Rise about an hour before local sunrise, light a ghee lamp before Vishnu, offer tulasi and read one Tiruppavai pasuram. In cold northern cities, draw the kolam on a board or tray indoors near the front door.

How many Tiruppavai verses are read in Dhanurmasam?

Andal's Tiruppavai has 30 verses, one for each day of the month. The first begins "Margazhi thingal mathi niraindha nannalal", and children can learn one line a day.

Which pongal is offered during Dhanurmasam?

Ven pongal, made with rice, moong dal, pepper, cumin and ghee, and sakkarai pongal, made with jaggery, are the classic offerings. A small batch on weekdays and a larger one on weekends works well.

Related guides

• Dhanurmasam 2026 dates and Tiruppavai schedule (India)
• Margazhi 2026: Tamil month festivals
• Tiruppavai 30 pasurams with meanings
• Dhanurmasam daily rituals for families
• Vaikuntha Ekadashi 2026 guide for Hindus in the USA
• December 2026 Hindu festivals in the USA
• Margashirsha Masam 2026 in the USA: dates and Thursdays by city