About Lohri, Pongal, Makar Sankranti

Lohri, Pongal, Maka Sankranti or Uttarayan are fun filled festivals. These are few names of the festival season during mid January across Indian subcontinent. This is end of winter, beginning of spring season, new harvest period and position of Sun moves from Sagittarius (धनु राशि) to Capricorn (मकर राशि) on its celestial path. The harvest festival has different names across Indian subcontinent Lohri, Pongal, Makar Sankranti, Makara Vilakku, Maghi Sangrand, Uttarayan, Bhogi, Hadaga, Magh Bihu, Poki, Tusa / Tusu Puja, Makaravilakku, पोंगल, मकर संक्रान्ति, उत्तरायण, माघ बिहु, भोगी.

The festival is celebrated by all religions Hindu, Sikh, Christian, some sects of Muslims, Jain, Buddhist. For Hindu and Sikh this is one of the main religious celebration.

Various programs are organized across New Zealand to celebrate this festive season. Prayers and feast are organized across temples and Gurudwara in New Zealand

Lohri, Pongal, Makar Sankranti events in New Zealand

• Lohri Mela 2024 Auckland, 13 Jan 2024, 4pm to 10pm at Barry Curtis Park, 163 Chapel Road, Flat bush, Auckland. Stalls, performances, dances, bonfire, fireworks and more.
• Lohri Celebrations 2024 Hamilton, 6 Jan 2024, 6pm at Waikato Indian Association Hall, Building #4/82 Duke Street, Frankton, Hamilton (See banner below for details)
• Indian Kite Festival – 13 Jan 2024, 11am to 6.30pm at Eastdale Reserve, Auckland Kite flying, Food Stalls, Dance and fun.
• Uttarayan 2024 Hamilton at Tauhara Park, Callum Brae Drive, Queenwood, Hamilton 3210. Picnic, Kite flying, food and fun. Organised by Gujarati Pariwar Waikato
• Pongal and Makara SanJyothi prayers at Kurinchi Kumaran Temple
• Auckland Tamil Associations Pongal-Harvest festival
• Christchurch Lohri Mela 2024, 27 Jan 2023 5pm to 10pm at La Vida Conference Centre, Christchurch
• Lohri will be organised at Bhartiya Mandir, Maa Durga Temple and Sai Baba Mandir Auckland

Tithi / Lunar day as per Auckland New Zealand time & coordinates:

• Tritiya / 3rd Lunar day from 13 Jan 6.41pm to 14 Jan 3.29m
• Chaturthi / 4th Lunar day from 14 Jan 3.30m to 15 Jan 12.30pm