January 2026 Hindu Temples & Festivals: Complete Guide

January 2026 Hindu Temples & Festivals: Complete Guide to Dates, Rituals, Significance & Temple Celebrations

January 2026 marks the transition from the end of winter to the auspicious Uttarayan period in the Hindu calendar (Vikram Samvat 2082-2083). This month features solar-based festivals like Makar Sankranti and regional harvest celebrations like Pongal, alongside key vrats (fasts) and purnima observances. Devotees visit prominent temples for special pujas, aartis, and rituals during this time.

Key Hindu Festivals & Vrats in January 2026

• Pausha Purnima – January 3, 2026 (Saturday) Tithi: Pausha Shukla Purnima Significance: Full moon day dedicated to charity, Satyanarayan Puja, and bathing in holy rivers. It marks the end of Shakambari Navratri in some traditions and begins Magh Mela preparations in Prayagraj. Rituals: Holy dips, donations, fasting, and pujas to Lord Vishnu. Temple Celebrations: Grand at Triveni Sangam (Prayagraj), Kumbh-related sites, and Vishnu temples like Tirupati Balaji or Padmanabhaswamy Temple.
• Sakat Chauth / Sankashti Chaturthi – January 6, 2026 (Tuesday) Tithi: Magha Krishna Chaturthi Significance: Vrat for Lord Ganesha to remove obstacles, especially for children’s well-being and family prosperity. Rituals: Fast until moonrise, Ganesha puja with modak offerings, and sighting the moon. Temple Celebrations: Special at Ashtavinayak temples (Maharashtra), Siddhivinayak (Mumbai), and local Ganesha shrines with evening aartis.
• Lohri – January 13, 2026 (Tuesday) Significance: Punjabi harvest festival marking the end of winter, with bonfires symbolizing warmth and prosperity. Rituals: Bonfire (lohri), dancing, sesame-jaggery sweets, and prayers for good crops. Temple/Regional Celebrations: Community events in Punjab, Haryana; some link to solar worship in temples.
• Makar Sankranti / Uttarayan – January 14, 2026 (Wednesday) Tithi/Solar Event: Sun transits from Dhanu to Makara Rashi (Sankranti moment ~3:13 PM IST) Significance: Auspicious start of Uttarayan (sun’s northward journey), harvest thanksgiving, and spiritual merit. It symbolizes positivity, longer days, and new beginnings. Rituals: Holy baths, Surya puja, til (sesame) + jaggery donations, flying kites, charity, and khichdi/sweets preparation. Avoid inauspicious activities before Punya Kaal. Temple Celebrations: Massive at Kumbh Mela sites (if ongoing), Triveni Sangam, Gangasagar, Rameshwaram, and Surya temples like Konark Sun Temple. Devotees offer arghya to the sun.
• Pongal (Thai Pongal) – January 14–17, 2026 (Main day: January 14–15) Significance: Tamil harvest festival thanking the sun god and cattle for abundance (4 days: Bhogi, Thai Pongal, Mattu Pongal, Kaanum Pongal). Rituals: Boiling rice in milk (pongal dish) facing east, cattle worship, kolam drawings, and family feasts. Temple Celebrations: Vibrant at Meenakshi Temple (Madurai), temples in Tamil Nadu with special abhishekams and processions.
• Vasant Panchami / Basant Panchami / Saraswati Puja – January 23, 2026 (Friday) Tithi: Magha Shukla Panchami Significance: Welcomes spring, honors Goddess Saraswati for knowledge, arts, music, and wisdom. Yellow is the theme color. Rituals: Saraswati puja with books/instruments, yellow attire, vegetarian food, and no non-veg/lemon. Students seek blessings. Temple Celebrations: Special at Saraswati temples (e.g., Basar Saraswati Temple in Telangana, Dakshineswar Kali Temple traditions), schools, and cultural events.
• Ratha Saptami – January 25, 2026 (Sunday) Tithi: Magha Shukla Saptami Significance: Dedicated to Surya Dev as the day he rides his chariot northward. Believed to cure ailments and grant health. Rituals: Arghya to sun at sunrise, fasting, and chariot processions in some places. Temple Celebrations: Prominent at Surya temples like Konark, Arasavalli, and local sun shrines.

Other notable vrats include Pradosh Vrat (twice monthly), Ekadashi (Saphala on Jan 10, Putrada on Jan 25), and Masik Shivratri (mid-month).

Famous Temples & Special Events in January 2026

January is ideal for temple visits due to Uttarayan’s auspicious energy. Key spots include:

• Tirupati Balaji Temple (Andhra Pradesh): Enhanced daily sevas, Pongal/Sankranti special laddus.
• Meenakshi Temple (Madurai): Pongal celebrations with grand processions.
• Konark Sun Temple (Odisha): Ratha Saptami & Sankranti special rituals.
• Siddhivinayak Temple (Mumbai): Sankashti Chaturthi crowds.
• Prayagraj (Triveni Sangam): Pausha Purnima baths and Magh Mela start.

Spiritual Tips for Devotees: Perform Surya Namaskar daily during Uttarayan, donate food/clothes on Sankranti, and maintain purity during vrats. Consult local panchang for exact muhurats as tithis vary slightly by region.

Celebrate these festivals with devotion for blessings of health, prosperity, and knowledge. Visit www.hindutone.com for updated panchang, live darshan links, and temple travel guides.

Jai Shri Ram! Har Har Mahadev!

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