Sankranti and Pongal Wishes in 9 Indian Languages
Quick answer: To wish someone well at Makar Sankranti, use the name their family uses and the standard greeting in their language: "సంక్రాంతి శుభాకాంక్షలు" (Sankranti shubhakankshalu) in Telugu, "இனிய பொங்கல் நல்வாழ்த்துகள்" (Iniya Pongal nalvazhthugal) in Tamil, "मकर संक्रांति की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ
Quick answer: To wish someone well at Makar Sankranti, use the name their family uses and the standard greeting in their language: "సంక్రాంతి శుభాకాంక్షలు" (Sankranti shubhakankshalu) in Telugu, "இனிய பொங்கல் நல்வாழ்த்துகள்" (Iniya Pongal nalvazhthugal) in Tamil, "मकर संक्रांति की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ" in Hindi, and so on. Below are short original wishes in nine languages, each in native script, with a Roman transliteration and the English meaning.
Native-speaker review of these lines is pending; if you spot an error, tell us.
One festival, many names
The Sun's entry into Makara (Capricorn in the sidereal zodiac) is kept across India in mid-January, but each language group gives it its own name and its own customs. Telugu families keep Sankranti over three or four days, from Bhogi to Kanuma. Tamil families keep Pongal, with Thai Pongal as the main day. Hindi speakers say Makar Sankranti, Kannadigas say Makara Sankranti, and Marathi speakers say Makar Sankrant. In Gujarat the day is Uttarayan, in Punjab the bonfire night of Lohri comes first and Maghi follows, in Bengal it is Poush Sankranti or Poush Parbon, and in Assam it is Magh Bihu, also called Bhogali Bihu. For how these traditions differ, read Pongal across India: diverse names, one spirit.
In 2027, Bhogi and Lohri fall on Thursday 14 January. Makar Sankranti, Thai Pongal and Magh Bihu fall on 15 January in India per the panchang; some government lists mark 14 January. Gujarat's 2027 list, which fixes the Uttarayan date there, is still awaited. See the Makar Sankranti 2027 guide for timings.
Every greeting below is written by HinduTone. None is a quotation, verse or proverb, except the two well-known Kannada and Marathi sayings, which we mark and source. For English messages, see our Pongal and Sankranti wishes in English.
Telugu: Sankranti (సంక్రాంతి)
Telugu speakers in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana call the festival Sankranti, with Bhogi the day before and Kanuma the day after (Sankranti in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana).
How to say Happy Sankranti: సంక్రాంతి శుభాకాంక్షలు (Sankranti shubhakankshalu), "Sankranti greetings".
| Wish | Say it as | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| మీకు, మీ కుటుంబానికి సంక్రాంతి శుభాకాంక్షలు. | Meeku, mee kutumbaaniki Sankranti shubhakankshalu. | Sankranti greetings to you and your family. |
| కొత్త పంట మీ ఇంట సంతోషం నింపాలి. | Kotta panta mee inta santosham nimpaali. | May the new harvest fill your home with happiness. |
| భోగి శుభాకాంక్షలు! ఇల్లంతా వెలుగు, మనసంతా ఆనందం. | Bhogi shubhakankshalu! Illantaa velugu, manasantaa aanandam. | Happy Bhogi! Light through the house, joy through the heart. |
| ముగ్గులు, గొబ్బెమ్మలు, పిండివంటలతో పండుగ నిండుగా జరగాలి. | Muggulu, gobbemmalu, pindivantalato panduga ninduga jaragaali. | May the festival be full of muggulu, gobbemmalu and festive snacks. |
| కనుమ శుభాకాంక్షలు! రైతన్నలకు, పశువులకు మా కృతజ్ఞతలు. | Kanuma shubhakankshalu! Raitannalaku, pashuvulaku maa krutagnatalu. | Happy Kanuma! Our thanks to farmers and to the cattle. |
Tamil: Pongal (பொங்கல்)
Tamil speakers call the festival Pongal, kept over four days from Bhogi to Kaanum Pongal, with Thai Pongal (தைப்பொங்கல்) as the main day (Pongal guide). As the pot boils over, families call out "Pongalo Pongal!" (பொங்கலோ பொங்கல்), which Hinduism Today renders "It's boiling over!"
How to say Happy Pongal: இனிய பொங்கல் நல்வாழ்த்துகள் (Iniya Pongal nalvazhthugal), "Sweet Pongal greetings".
| Wish | Say it as | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| உங்களுக்கும் உங்கள் குடும்பத்தினருக்கும் இனிய பொங்கல் நல்வாழ்த்துகள். | Ungalukkum ungal kudumbaththinarukkum iniya Pongal nalvazhthugal. | Warm Pongal greetings to you and your family. |
| பொங்கலோ பொங்கல்! உங்கள் வீட்டில் மகிழ்ச்சி பொங்கட்டும். | Pongalo Pongal! Ungal veettil magizhchi pongattum. | Pongalo Pongal! May joy rise and overflow in your home. |
| புதுப் பானையில் புது அரிசி; மனதில் புது நம்பிக்கை. | Pudhup paanaiyil pudhu arisi; manadhil pudhu nambikkai. | New rice in a new pot; new hope in the heart. |
| உழவர்களுக்கு நன்றி சொல்லும் நாள் இது. இனிய பொங்கல்! | Uzhavargalukku nandri sollum naal idhu. Iniya Pongal! | This is the day to thank farmers. Happy Pongal! |
| இனிய மாட்டுப் பொங்கல் வாழ்த்துகள்! | Iniya Maattu Pongal vazhthugal! | Happy Mattu Pongal! |
| குடும்பத்துடன் இனிய காணும் பொங்கல்! | Kudumbaththudan iniya Kaanum Pongal! | A happy Kaanum Pongal with the whole family! |
Hindi: Makar Sankranti (मकर संक्रांति)
Hindi speakers across north and central India say Makar Sankranti, a day of til-gud sweets, khichdi, holy dips, charity and kites (Makar Sankranti 2027).
How to say Happy Makar Sankranti: मकर संक्रांति की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ (Makar Sankranti ki haardik shubhkaamnaayen), "Heartfelt good wishes for Makar Sankranti".
| Wish | Say it as | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| आपको और आपके परिवार को मकर संक्रांति की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ। | Aapko aur aapke parivaar ko Makar Sankranti ki haardik shubhkaamnaayen. | Heartfelt Makar Sankranti wishes to you and your family. |
| तिल की मिठास और गुड़ की गर्माहट आपके घर में बनी रहे। | Til ki mithaas aur gud ki garmaahat aapke ghar mein bani rahe. | May the sweetness of sesame and the warmth of jaggery stay in your home. |
| आसमान में पतंगें, थाली में खिचड़ी और घर में अपनों का साथ। | Aasmaan mein patangen, thaali mein khichdi aur ghar mein apnon ka saath. | Kites in the sky, khichdi on the plate and loved ones at home. |
| नई फ़सल आपके जीवन में नई खुशियाँ लाए। | Nayi fasal aapke jeevan mein nayi khushiyaan laaye. | May the new harvest bring new joys into your life. |
| बड़ों का आशीर्वाद और बच्चों की मुस्कान, यही है संक्रांति की पहचान। | Badon ka aashirvaad aur bachchon ki muskaan, yahi hai Sankranti ki pehchaan. | Elders' blessings and children's smiles: that is what Sankranti looks like. |
Kannada: Makara Sankranti (ಮಕರ ಸಂಕ್ರಾಂತಿ)
Kannada speakers call it Makara Sankranti or simply Sankranti, and share ellu-bella, a mix of sesame, jaggery, fried gram, dry coconut and peanuts (Makara Sankranti in Karnataka). Karnataka Tourism records the saying that goes with it, "Ellu Bella thindu olle mathaadi" (ಎಳ್ಳು ಬೆಲ್ಲ ತಿಂದು ಒಳ್ಳೆ ಮಾತಾಡಿ): eat sesame and jaggery, and speak good words.
How to say Happy Sankranti: ಮಕರ ಸಂಕ್ರಾಂತಿಯ ಶುಭಾಶಯಗಳು (Makara Sankrantiya shubhaashayagalu), "Makara Sankranti greetings".
| Wish | Say it as | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ನಿಮಗೂ ನಿಮ್ಮ ಕುಟುಂಬಕ್ಕೂ ಸಂಕ್ರಾಂತಿ ಹಬ್ಬದ ಶುಭಾಶಯಗಳು. | Nimagoo nimma kutumbakkoo Sankranti habbada shubhaashayagalu. | Sankranti festival greetings to you and your family. |
| ಹೊಸ ಬೆಳೆ ನಿಮ್ಮ ಮನೆಗೆ ಸಮೃದ್ಧಿ ತರಲಿ. | Hosa bele nimma manege samruddhi tarali. | May the new crop bring plenty to your home. |
| ಎಳ್ಳು ಬೆಲ್ಲದ ಸಿಹಿ ನಿಮ್ಮ ಬಾಳಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಸದಾ ಇರಲಿ. | Ellu bellada sihi nimma baalinalli sadaa irali. | May the sweetness of ellu-bella stay in your life always. |
| ಎಳ್ಳು ಬೀರೋಣ, ನಗುತ್ತಾ ಹಬ್ಬ ಆಚರಿಸೋಣ. | Ellu beerona, naguttaa habba aacharisona. | Let's share ellu-bella and celebrate with smiles. |
| ರೈತರ ಶ್ರಮಕ್ಕೆ ನಮನ. ಸಂಕ್ರಾಂತಿಯ ಶುಭಾಶಯಗಳು! | Raitara shramakke namana. Sankrantiya shubhaashayagalu! | A salute to the farmers' hard work. Sankranti greetings! |
Marathi: Makar Sankrant (मकर संक्रांत)
Marathi speakers say Makar Sankrant and hand out tilgul, sesame-and-jaggery sweets (Makar Sankranti in Maharashtra). The saying spoken while giving tilgul is "तिळगूळ घ्या आणि गोड गोड बोला" (Tilgul ghya ani god god bola), which Maharashtra Tourism translates as "Take this sweet and speak kindly".
How to say Happy Makar Sankrant: मकर संक्रांतीच्या हार्दिक शुभेच्छा (Makar Sankrantichya haardik shubhechchha), "Heartfelt wishes for Makar Sankrant".
| Wish | Say it as | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| तुम्हाला आणि तुमच्या कुटुंबाला मकर संक्रांतीच्या हार्दिक शुभेच्छा. | Tumhala ani tumchya kutumbala Makar Sankrantichya haardik shubhechchha. | Heartfelt Makar Sankrant wishes to you and your family. |
| तिळाची स्निग्धता आणि गुळाचा गोडवा तुमच्या नात्यांत कायम राहो. | Tilachi snigdhata ani gulacha godva tumchya natyant kayam raho. | May the richness of sesame and the sweetness of jaggery stay in your relationships. |
| नवीन वर्षातला पहिला सण गोड जावो. | Navin varshatla pahila san god javo. | May the first festival of the new year go sweetly. |
| संक्रांतीचा हा सण तुमच्या घरी सुख आणि समाधान घेऊन येवो. | Sankranticha ha san tumchya ghari sukh ani samadhan gheun yevo. | May this Sankrant bring happiness and contentment to your home. |
| जुने रुसवे विसरू, नव्याने गोड बोलू. | June rusave visaru, navyane god bolu. | Let's forget old grudges and speak sweetly again. |
Gujarati: Uttarayan (ઉત્તરાયણ)
Gujarati speakers call the day Uttarayan (and also Makar Sankranti) and spend it on rooftops flying kites, with undhiyu and chikki to follow (Uttarayan in Gujarat).
How to say Happy Uttarayan: ઉત્તરાયણની હાર્દિક શુભેચ્છાઓ (Uttarayan-ni haardik shubhechchhao), "Heartfelt Uttarayan wishes".
| Wish | Say it as | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| આપને અને આપના પરિવારને ઉત્તરાયણની હાર્દિક શુભેચ્છાઓ. | Aapne ane aapna parivaarne Uttarayan-ni haardik shubhechchhao. | Heartfelt Uttarayan wishes to you and your family. |
| ધાબા પર મિત્રો, હાથમાં ફીરકી, દિલમાં ઉમંગ. | Dhaaba par mitro, haathma firki, dilma umang. | Friends on the terrace, a spool in hand, cheer in the heart. |
| ઊંધિયું, ચીકી અને પરિવારનો સાથ: ઉત્તરાયણની મજા માણો! | Undhiyu, chiki ane parivaarno saath: Uttarayan-ni maja maano! | Undhiyu, chikki and family together: enjoy Uttarayan! |
| નવી ઋતુ તમારા જીવનમાં નવો ઉત્સાહ લાવે. | Navi rutu tamaara jeevanma navo utsaah laave. | May the new season bring new energy into your life. |
| સૌને મકર સંક્રાંતિની શુભકામનાઓ. | Saune Makar Sankranti-ni shubhkaamnaao. | Good wishes to everyone on Makar Sankranti. |
Punjabi: Lohri and Maghi (ਲੋਹੜੀ, ਮਾਘੀ)
Punjabi speakers light the Lohri (ਲੋਹੜੀ) bonfire on the eve of Sankranti, with rewri, gajak and peanuts; Maghi (ਮਾਘੀ) is the next day (Lohri and Maghi). Maghi also carries a Sikh commemoration at Sri Muktsar Sahib, so keep Maghi wishes simple and respectful.
How to say Happy Lohri: ਲੋਹੜੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਲੱਖ ਲੱਖ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ (Lohri diyan lakh lakh vadhaiyan), "A hundred thousand congratulations on Lohri". For Maghi: ਮਾਘੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ (Maghi diyan vadhaiyan).
| Wish | Say it as | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਅਤੇ ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਪਰਿਵਾਰ ਨੂੰ ਲੋਹੜੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਲੱਖ ਲੱਖ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ। | Tuhanu ate tuhade parivar nu Lohri diyan lakh lakh vadhaiyan. | Warmest Lohri wishes to you and your family. |
| ਧੂਣੀ ਦਾ ਨਿੱਘ ਤੇ ਰਿਉੜੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਮਿਠਾਸ ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਘਰ ਬਣੀ ਰਹੇ। | Dhooni da nigh te riuriyan di mithaas tuhade ghar bani rahe. | May the bonfire's warmth and the rewri's sweetness stay in your home. |
| ਨਵੀਂ ਵਿਆਹੀ ਜੋੜੀ ਨੂੰ ਪਹਿਲੀ ਲੋਹੜੀ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ! | Naveen viahi jodi nu pahili Lohri mubarak! | Happy first Lohri to the newly married couple! |
| ਨਿੱਕੇ ਜਿਹੇ ਮਹਿਮਾਨ ਦੀ ਪਹਿਲੀ ਲੋਹੜੀ ਮੁਬਾਰਕ! | Nikke jihe mehmaan di pahili Lohri mubarak! | Happy first Lohri to the little new arrival! |
| ਖੇਤ ਹਰੇ-ਭਰੇ ਰਹਿਣ ਤੇ ਘਰ ਖ਼ੁਸ਼ੀਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਭਰੇ ਰਹਿਣ। | Khet hare-bhare rehan te ghar khushiyan naal bhare rehan. | May the fields stay green and homes stay full of joy. |
Bengali: Poush Sankranti (পৌষ সংক্রান্তি)
Bengali speakers mark Poush Sankranti, the last day of the month of Poush, as Poush Parbon (পৌষ পার্বণ): new paddy, nolen gur (date-palm jaggery) and pithe-puli such as patishapta (Poush Sankranti in West Bengal).
How to say Happy Poush Sankranti: পৌষ সংক্রান্তির শুভেচ্ছা (Poush Sankrantir shubhechchha), "Poush Sankranti greetings".
| Wish | Say it as | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| আপনাকে ও আপনার পরিবারকে পৌষ সংক্রান্তির আন্তরিক শুভেচ্ছা। | Apnake o apnar paribarke Poush Sankrantir antorik shubhechchha. | Heartfelt Poush Sankranti greetings to you and your family. |
| নতুন ধান, নলেন গুড় আর পিঠেপুলিতে ভরে উঠুক আপনার ঘর। | Notun dhan, nolen gur ar pithepulite bhore uthuk apnar ghor. | May your home fill with new paddy, nolen gur and pithe-puli. |
| পৌষ পার্বণের মিষ্টি দিনগুলো কাটুক আপনজনদের সঙ্গে। | Poush Parboner mishti dingulo katuk apnojonder shonge. | May the sweet days of Poush Parbon be spent with your loved ones. |
| শীতের রোদ আর পাটিসাপটার স্বাদে কাটুক এবারের সংক্রান্তি। | Shiter rod ar patishaptar shade katuk ebarer Sankranti. | May this Sankranti pass in winter sunshine and the taste of patishapta. |
| ঘুড়ি ওড়াও, পিঠে খাও, হাসিখুশি থাকো! | Ghuri orao, pithe khao, hashikhushi thako! | Fly kites, eat pithe, stay cheerful! |
Assamese: Magh Bihu (মাঘ বিহু)
Assamese speakers call the festival Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu (ভোগালী বিহু): a feast on Uruka night and the Meji bonfire at dawn (Magh Bihu in Assam). Assamese script uses ৰ for "r" and ৱ for "w", which Bengali script does not.
How to say Happy Magh Bihu: ভোগালী বিহুৰ শুভেচ্ছা (Bhogali Bihur shubhechchha), "Bhogali Bihu greetings". In Assamese the "sh" sounds close to a soft "kh" or "x".
| Wish | Say it as | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| আপোনাক আৰু আপোনাৰ পৰিয়ালক ভোগালী বিহুৰ আন্তৰিক শুভেচ্ছা জনালোঁ। | Aponak aru aponar poriyalok Bhogali Bihur antorik shubhechchha janalo. | Heartfelt Bhogali Bihu greetings to you and your family. |
| উৰুকাৰ ভোজ আৰু মেজিৰ জুইয়ে আপোনাৰ ঘৰ উজলাই ৰাখক। | Urukar bhoj aru mejir juiye aponar ghor ujolai rakhok. | May the Uruka feast and the Meji fire keep your home bright. |
| পিঠা-লাড়ু আৰু জলপানেৰে ভৰি থাকক আপোনাৰ ঘৰ। | Pitha-laru aru jolpanere bhori thakok aponar ghor. | May your home stay full of pitha, laru and jolpan. |
| নতুন শস্যই সকলোৰে জীৱনলৈ আনন্দ কঢ়িয়াই আনক। | Notun shoshyoi sokolore jiwonoloi anondo korhiyai anok. | May the new crop bring joy into everyone's life. |
| বন্ধু-বান্ধৱৰ সৈতে আনন্দেৰে মাঘ বিহু পালন কৰক। | Bondhu-bandhowor soite anondere Magh Bihu palon korok. | Celebrate Magh Bihu joyfully with your friends. |
Tips for sending wishes
- Use their festival's name. Pongal for Tamil friends, Sankranti for Telugu and Kannada friends, Uttarayan for Gujarati friends, Lohri for Punjabi friends, Bihu for Assamese friends.
- Send the native script, not only the transliteration. It shows care, and most phones display all these scripts. Add the transliteration if the person reads only Roman script.
- Check the day. Bhogi and Lohri come a day before the main festival; Kanuma and Mattu Pongal come a day after.
- Keep it short. One line in their language plus one in English is enough for a text.
- Don't forward unchecked "quotes". A plain wish you wrote yourself beats a verse nobody can trace.
- Ask a native speaker if unsure. Spelling and vowel signs change meaning; a quick check with a friend is worth it.
FAQ
How do you say Happy Pongal in Tamil?
Say "இனிய பொங்கல் நல்வாழ்த்துகள்" (Iniya Pongal nalvazhthugal), which means "Sweet Pongal greetings". On the main day you can also say "இனிய தைப்பொங்கல் வாழ்த்துகள்" (Iniya Thai Pongal vazhthugal).
How do you say Happy Sankranti in Telugu?
Say "సంక్రాంతి శుభాకాంక్షలు" (Sankranti shubhakankshalu). For the first and third days, use "భోగి శుభాకాంక్షలు" (Bhogi shubhakankshalu) and "కనుమ శుభాకాంక్షలు" (Kanuma shubhakankshalu).
How do you say Happy Lohri in Punjabi?
The common greeting is "ਲੋਹੜੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਲੱਖ ਲੱਖ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ" (Lohri diyan lakh lakh vadhaiyan), literally "a hundred thousand congratulations on Lohri".
What does "tilgul ghya, god god bola" mean?
It is the Marathi saying spoken while giving tilgul at Makar Sankrant. Maharashtra Tourism translates "Tilgul ghya ani god god bola" as "Take this sweet and speak kindly".
Is Magh Bihu the same as Makar Sankranti?
Magh Bihu, or Bhogali Bihu, is Assam's harvest festival kept at the same time as Makar Sankranti, with its own customs: the Uruka feast and the Meji bonfire.
Have these wishes been checked by native speakers?
Not yet. Native-speaker review is pending. The greetings are written in standard forms, but if you find a mistake, please tell us and we will correct it.
Sources
- Maharashtra Tourism (Government of Maharashtra), "Makar Sankranti" (tilgul and the saying "Tilgul ghya ani god god bola"): https://maharashtratourism.gov.in/festivals/makar-sankranti/ (accessed 12 November 2026).
- Karnataka Tourism (Government of Karnataka), "Sankranti in Karnataka" (ellu-bella and the saying "Ellu Bella thindu olle mathaadi"): https://karnatakatourism.org/sankranti-in-karnataka/ (accessed 12 November 2026).
- Hinduism Today, "Sankranti or Pongal" (the "Pongalo Pongal!" call): https://www.hinduismtoday.com/2010-04-festivals-sankranti-or-pongal/ (accessed 12 November 2026).
- Drik Panchang, Bhogi, Kanuma and Pedda Panduga 2027, Hyderabad (Telugu festival days): https://www.drikpanchang.com/festivals/sankranti/kanuma-panduga/kanuma-panduga-date-time.html?year=2027&geoname-id=1269843 (accessed 12 November 2026).
- Drik Panchang, Makar Sankranti 2027, via HinduTone's 2027 date file: https://www.drikpanchang.com/sankranti/makar-sankranti-date-time.html?year=2027 (accessed 11 November 2026).
- Gujarat Tourism, International Kite Festival, "About" (Uttarayan rooftop kite flying): https://ikf.gujarattourism.com/about.html (accessed 12 November 2026).
- Incredible India (Ministry of Tourism), "Celebrating Lohri the Punjabi way": https://www.incredibleindia.gov.in/en/punjab/amritsar/celebrating-lohri-the-punjabi-way (accessed 12 November 2026).
- Incredible India (Ministry of Tourism), "Maghi Mela, Sri Muktsar Sahib": https://www.incredibleindia.gov.in/en/festivals-and-events/punjab/maghi-mela-sri-muktsar-sahib (accessed 12 November 2026).
- Deccan Chronicle, "Kites, sweets and togetherness: Poush Parbon's link to pan-Indian Sankranti", 12 January 2026: https://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/culture-and-society/kites-sweets-and-togetherness-poush-parbons-link-to-pan-indian-sankranti-1929949 (accessed 12 November 2026).
- All India Radio News, "Assam celebrates Magh Bihu" (Bhogali Bihu, Uruka, Meji): https://newsonair.gov.in/assam-celebrates-magh-bihu (accessed 12 November 2026).
Last reviewed: 12 November 2026.
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