Mesha Sankranti मेष संक्रांती
The solar New Year - the Sun begins a fresh circle of the zodiac.
- Sun enters
- Mesha (Aries)
- Around
- mid-April (~14 Apr)
- Ayana
- Uttarayana (northward)
- Worship
- Surya (the Sun)
Significance
Mesha Sankranti is the solar New Year - the day the Sun enters Mesha (Aries) and begins a fresh circuit of the zodiac. Because so many regional solar calendars start their year on this ingress, it is one of the most widely kept Sankrantis, second only to Makar Sankranti.
How it is observed
It is celebrated across the land under many names - Baisakhi in Punjab, Vishu in Kerala, Puthandu in Tamil Nadu, Pohela Boishakh in Bengal, Bohag Bihu in Assam and Maha Vishuba Sankranti in Odisha - with holy bathing at dawn, temple worship, fresh harvest fare and charity. In the north it coincides with the spring wheat harvest.
Regional names
The same solar moment carries a different name in almost every region: Baisakhi (Punjab), Vishu (Kerala), Puthandu / Tamil New Year (Tamil Nadu), Pohela Boishakh (Bengal), Bohag or Rongali Bihu (Assam), Maha Vishuba Sankranti / Pana Sankranti (Odisha) and Vaisakhi across much of the north.
The Sun’s course
Mesha Sankranti falls in the Sun’s Uttarayana - its northward, brighter half of the year. The year’s two turning points are Makar Sankranti (the turn to Uttarayana, mid-January) and Karka Sankranti (the turn to Dakshinayana, mid-July). See the full Sankranti guide for all twelve solar ingresses of the year.
Frequently asked questions
What is Mesha Sankranti?
Mesha Sankranti is the solar New Year - the day the Sun enters Mesha (Aries) and begins a fresh circuit of the zodiac. Because so many regional solar calendars start their year on this ingress, it is one of the most widely kept Sankrantis, second only to Makar Sankranti.
When is Mesha Sankranti in Mumbai, MH?
Mesha Sankranti falls in mid-April (~14 Apr); the next one for Mumbai, MH is on 14 April 2027. Being set by the solar calendar, its date barely shifts from year to year.
Which sign does the Sun enter on Mesha Sankranti?
On Mesha Sankranti the Sun leaves the previous sign and enters Mesha (Aries), the first sign of the zodiac. This falls in the Sun's Uttarayana (northward) course.
How is Mesha Sankranti observed?
It is celebrated across the land under many names - Baisakhi in Punjab, Vishu in Kerala, Puthandu in Tamil Nadu, Pohela Boishakh in Bengal, Bohag Bihu in Assam and Maha Vishuba Sankranti in Odisha - with holy bathing at dawn, temple worship, fresh harvest fare and charity. In the north it coincides with the spring wheat harvest.
Last updated 26 July 2026