Festival guide
Baisakhi / Vishu / Puthandu
Mesha Sankranti — the Sun’s entry into sidereal Aries in mid-April — is the solar New Year across much of India and is celebrated under many regional names.
Baisakhi / Vishu / Puthandu dates
| Year | Date | Sun’s ingress |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Tuesday 14 April | Sun enters Aries 14 Apr, 09:32 |
| 2027 | Wednesday 14 April | Sun enters Aries 14 Apr, 15:28 |
Dates for New Delhi, India; times in Asia/Kolkata.
Also known as: Vaisakhi (Punjab), Vishu (Kerala), Puthandu (Tamil Nadu), Pohela Boishakh (Bengal), Bohag Bihu (Assam), Pana Sankranti (Odisha).
Story and significance
In Punjab, Baisakhi is the spring harvest festival and, for Sikhs, commemorates Guru Gobind Singh’s founding of the Khalsa in 1699. In Kerala, Vishu begins with the Vishukkani, an auspicious arrangement seen first thing in the morning.
How Baisakhi / Vishu / Puthandu is celebrated
- Harvest celebrations and Bhangra in Punjab
- Vishukkani and Vishu kaineetam (gifts of money to children) in Kerala
- New-year feasts and almanac readings in Tamil Nadu and Bengal
- Ritual bathing in rivers
Customs vary between regions, communities and families. Please follow the guidance of your family priest or local temple for rituals and timings.
Frequently asked questions
When is Baisakhi / Vishu / Puthandu 2026?
Baisakhi / Vishu / Puthandu 2026 falls on Tuesday, 14 April 2026, for New Delhi. Choose your city above to see the date for your location.
When is Baisakhi / Vishu / Puthandu 2027?
Baisakhi / Vishu / Puthandu 2027 falls on Wednesday, 14 April 2027, for New Delhi. Choose your city above to see the date for your location.
Why does the date of Baisakhi / Vishu / Puthandu change every year?
Baisakhi / Vishu / Puthandu follows the Sun, so it falls on almost the same Gregorian date each year; it can shift by a day because of leap years and the exact time of the solar ingress.