Bhogi Festival 2026 Date and Significance: Bhogi, which marks the beginning of the vibrant four-day Pongal festival, holds immense cultural and spiritual importance across South India, especially in states
like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It is celebrated as a day of renewal, when people symbolically discard old possessions and negative energies by lighting bonfires, called Bhogi Mantalu. It marks the welcoming of prosperity and fresh beginnings in life.
Bhogi 2026: Date and Time
According to Drik Panchang, Bhogi or Bhogi Pandigai will be observed on Tuesday, January 13.
- Bhogi Pandigai: January 13
- Bhogi Sankranti Moment: 03:13 PM on January 14
- Makar Sankranti: Wednesday, January 14.
Bhogi Pandigai: What it mean?
Bhogi Pandigai is dedicated to discarding the old and welcoming the new beginnings in your lives. It precedes Makar Sankranti and is followed by Kanuma Panduga/Mattu Pongal and Mukkanuma/Kaanum Pongal.
Each of the four days in the grand festival holds its own unique rituals and customs, highlighting the cultural diversity and richness of the region.
Bhogi: Significance
Marking a fresh beginning, Bhogi Pandigai is all about positivity. This is the time when people discard old and unused items from their homes, symbolising the removal of negativity and problems.
A key highlight of this day is Bhogi Mantalu, a bonfire that people light using wood and discarded items that are no longer in use. This ritual symbolises removing negativity from your lives and embracing change. This is a way to prepare your homes and lives for fresh beginnings.
Another heartwarming ritual is the Bhogi Pallu for children aged three to six years. On this special occasion, they are dressed in traditional attire and showered with a mix of Regi Pallu (Indian jujube), sugarcane pieces, flower petals, jaggery and coins. This act is performed to protect them from the eyes of evil.
Also, people perform Ariselu Adugulu, under which they make Ariselu – a sweet made of rice and jaggery – and place it on the ground. The toddlers in the house are encouraged to take their first steps over it.
Further, Rangoli or Kolam traditions are held on this occasion. People look forward to creating colourful rangolis outside their houses to further enhance the festive spirit.
Moreover, this occasion sees people making special sweets and sharing them with their family and friends.
