Kharmas / Dhanurmas

Kharmas is the roughly thirty-day period when the Sun enters a sign ruled by Jupiter (Guru) — either Sagittarius or Pisces — and it occurs twice a year. When the Sun sits in Sagittarius, this period is called Dhanurmas (lasting until Makar Sankranti), and when the Sun sits in Pisces, it is called Meen Kharmas (lasting until the Aries transition). In Maharashtra, "Dhanurmas" is the more familiar name. Per the 2026 panchang, Dhanurmas begins on 17 December and ends on 13 January.

During this period, auspicious events like weddings, housewarmings, and naming ceremonies are avoided, but it is considered an excellent time for worship, charity, and spiritual practice.

Significance

Kharmas is a concept rooted in solar reckoning, not lunar tithi. It is determined by the Sun's transition into Sagittarius or Pisces, so it falls around the same calendar dates every year.

Both Sagittarius and Pisces are ruled by Jupiter, the guru of the gods; when the Sun sits in Jupiter's sign, its own brilliance and auspicious influence are believed to weaken — which is why auspicious events don't receive their full benefit during this time.

Even though auspicious events pause, this period is considered excellent for worship of Vishnu and Surya, charity, and sattvik living — so it is seen not just as an "inauspicious" period, but also as a time for self-purification and devotion.

Dhanurmas mostly falls within the Margashirsh-Paush months, so devotional observances from Margashirsh — such as the Thursday Mahalakshmi vrat and Datta Jayanti — occur within this same window. However, Dhanurmas is a solar period while Margashirsh is a lunar month — the two aren't identical, they simply overlap in timing.

Where the name comes from

At least two folk explanations are given for the name Kharmas.

One version holds that the Sun god travels endlessly in a chariot drawn by seven horses; when the horses grow tired and thirsty, the Sun releases them to rest near a pond and yokes the chariot to donkeys (khar) instead. Because of the donkeys' slow pace, the chariot moves sluggishly and the Sun's brilliance dims — this, according to folklore, is where the name Kharmas comes from.

A second version gives only an astrological reason — that the Sun's auspicious influence and brilliance weaken when it sits in Jupiter's own sign — without any accompanying story.

In South India, this period is also called Dhanurmasam or Margazhi, and Andal's Tiruppavai (thirty verses, one recited each day) is sung during this time — this is mainly a South Indian/Tamil tradition, and is not part of Maharashtra's mainstream practice.

Who it applies to

Kharmas is a general calendar period that applies to everyone, not a personal vrat — anyone planning a wedding, housewarming, or a new beginning keeps this period in mind. For devotees, it is regarded as a special time for devotion to Vishnu and Surya, and for charity.

What to avoid and what's auspicious

This astrological/traditional guidance can vary by local custom.

Generally avoided: weddings and engagements; housewarming ceremonies; tonsure (mundan), ear-piercing, and thread ceremonies; naming ceremonies; starting a new business, buying a new home or vehicle, and major contracts.

Considered auspicious: worship of the Sun — an early-morning bath followed by offering arghya to Surya; worship of Vishnu/Krishna/Narayan, and Tulsi puja; japa, mantra chanting, and reading the Gita/Bhagavatam/Vishnu Purana; charity (food, grain, jaggery, clothing); sattvik food and conduct.

Some sources connect Tulsi puja during this period with the Katyayani vrat, though how widely this is practised in Maharashtra specifically is not established.

Kharmas vs. Adhik Maas

Kharmas and Adhik Maas (Malmas) are two separate concepts and should not be confused. Kharmas is a solar period that recurs every year (the Sun in Jupiter's sign, twice a year). Adhik Maas, on the other hand, is an extra lunar month that occurs roughly once every three years. The two are governed by entirely different rules.

Dates (2026)

Dhanu Kharmas / Dhanurmas

Makar Sankranti falls the very next day after Dhanurmas ends.

The two dates in the table above aren't the start and end of the same Dhanurmas. Dhanurmas begins each December and ends the following January, so the Dhanurmas that begins on 17 December 2026 will end in January 2027, while the one that ended on 13 January 2026 had begun in December 2025.

The panchang records Dhanurmasarambh on 17 December; the Sun itself enters Sagittarius a day earlier, on 16 December.

Meen Kharmas / Meenmas

The panchang does not separately record this March-April window under the name "Kharmas" — this date range follows from the panchang's own sun-sign entries showing the Sun's presence in Pisces.

Good to know

• Rather than a hard statement like "don't marry on this date," decisions during Kharmas are best guided by your family priest or family tradition.
• For the exact clock time of any festival or muhurat, check that day's panchang page.

FAQ

What is Kharmas?

The roughly thirty-day period when the Sun sits in Jupiter's sign — Sagittarius or Pisces; it occurs twice a year, during which auspicious events are avoided and worship is emphasised instead.

Are Kharmas and Dhanurmas the same thing?

Dhanurmas is the Kharmas period when the Sun is in Sagittarius — one of the two phases. The other is Meen Kharmas (Sun in Pisces). Kharmas is the broader term covering both.

How many times a year does Kharmas occur?

Twice — Dhanu Kharmas roughly in December-January, and Meen Kharmas roughly in March-April.

What should be avoided during Kharmas?

Weddings, housewarming ceremonies, tonsure, naming ceremonies, starting a new business, and major purchases — these are traditionally avoided.

Why are weddings avoided during Kharmas?

Because the Sun's auspicious influence is believed to weaken while sitting in Jupiter's sign, so auspicious events don't receive full benefit — this is an astrological belief.

What's the difference between Kharmas and Adhik Maas (Malmas)?

Kharmas is an annual solar period (Sun in Jupiter's sign); Adhik Maas is an extra lunar month that comes roughly every three years — these are two separate concepts.

When is Kharmas in 2026?

Dhanurmasarambh on 17 December, ending 13 January. Meen Kharmas runs roughly from 15 March to 14 April.

What does "Khar" mean in Kharmas?

"Khar" means donkey — one folk story holds that the Sun's chariot is pulled by donkeys during this period, which is said to be where the name comes from; another version gives only an astrological reason (the Sun in Jupiter's sign), with no accompanying story.

What should you do during Kharmas?

Worship of the Sun (an early-morning bath followed by offering arghya), worship of Vishnu/Krishna/Narayan, Tulsi puja, japa and mantra chanting, reading the Gita/Bhagavatam, and charity are all considered especially auspicious during this period.