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 2023 Auckland, 14 Jan, 4pm to 10pm at Barry Curtis Park, 163 Chapel Road, Flat Bush, Auckland. Stalls, performances, dances, bonfire, fireworks and more.
• Indian Kite Festival – Postponed as per organizer’s FB page Vaishnav Parivar. Kite flying, Food Stalls, Dance and fun.
• Pongal and Makara SanJyothi prayers at Kurinchi Kumaran Temple, 15 Jan, 7am Thai Pongal celebrations, 8.30am morning Pongal pooja, 6.30pm (evening) Swami Ayyappan Makara Jyothi visesha pooja
• Auckland Tamil Associations Pongal-Harvest festival, 21 Jan 2023, 10am to 4pm at Mound Eden War Memorial, Dominion Road / Balmoral, Auckland. Traditional Pongal Cooking, Kolam Competition, Debate Show, Tamil Cultural Programs, Fun Games and Activities
• Christchurch Lohri Mela 2023, 21 Jan 2023 5pm to 10pm at La Vida Centre, Christchurch
• Due to unforeseen circumstances Ashburton Lohri Mela 2023 is cancelled, interested people can visit Christchurch Lohri Mela is on 21 Jan
• 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:

• Saptami / 7th Lunar day from 14 Jan 1.47am to 15 Jan 2.54am
• Ashtami / Astami / 8th Lunar day from 15 Jan 2.55am to 16 Jan 3.15am