Mesha Sankranti 2027: Date, Tithi, Muhurta & Significance
In 2027, Mesha Sankranti falls on Thursday, 15 April 2027.
History & Mythology
Mesha Sankranti marks the Sun's entry into Aries (Mesha), the first sign of the zodiac—the true astronomical new year in the Hindu tradition. In Assam and Northeast India it is celebrated as Rongali Bihu (Bohag Bihu), the most joyous of the three Bihu festivals, coinciding with the planting season when new paddy seedlings go into the earth.
The celebration lasts seven days beginning with Goru Bihu, where cattle are bathed, anointed with turmeric and mustard oil, and honoured for their role in tilling the land. Young men and women dress in traditional attire—women in mekhela chadar—and perform the graceful Bihu dance to the beat of the dhol, pepa, and gogona. It is a season of renewal, courtship, and joy, a celebration of the earth's fertility and gratitude for nature's generosity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are Hindu festival dates calculated?
Hindu festival dates are calculated using the Panchang — the Vedic almanac based on Tithi (lunar day), Nakshatra (Moon's asterism), and other astronomical factors. Most festivals fall on specific Tithis in particular lunar months. AstroJanamPatrika calculates these with the Swiss Ephemeris, making dates accurate to the minute rather than relying on pre-printed almanacs.
Why do Hindu festival dates change every year?
Hindu festivals follow the lunisolar calendar, not the Gregorian solar calendar. Because the lunar year is about 11 days shorter than the solar year, festivals drift earlier each year, and an intercalary month (Adhika Masa) is added roughly every 2–3 years to realign the two. This is why Diwali, Navratri and other festivals fall on different Gregorian dates each year.
What is Tithi in the Hindu calendar?
Tithi is the lunar day, determined by the angular distance between the Moon and Sun in multiples of 12°. There are 30 Tithis in a lunar month — 15 in the waxing Shukla Paksha and 15 in the waning Krishna Paksha. Most festivals are tied to a specific Tithi, which is why their Gregorian dates shift each year.
What is Shubh Muhurta for festival rituals?
Shubh Muhurta is the auspicious time window for performing rituals, determined by combining Tithi, Nakshatra, Yoga, Vara and Choghadiya. AstroJanamPatrika computes the precise muhurta for each festival from your local sunrise, Tithi end times and auspicious Nakshatras.
What are Purnima and Amavasya?
Purnima is the full-moon day (15th Tithi of Shukla Paksha), when Moon and Sun are 180° apart; Amavasya is the new-moon day, when they are conjunct. Both are highly significant — Purnima for celebrations, Amavasya for ancestral rites (Pitru Tarpan).