Sankranti, Pongal and Lohri 2027 in Charlotte
Makar Sankranti is the day the Sun moves into Makara, and the whole country marks it under different names: Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Sankranti in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka, Uttarayan in Gujarat, Lohri the night before in Punjab and Magh Bihu in Assam. In Charlotte the Sankranti moment in 2027 falls on the morning of Thursday, January 14, so the festival days here are one day earlier than in India.
In Charlotte, Makar Sankranti and Thai Pongal 2027 are on Thursday, January 14: the Sun enters Makara at 10:44 AM Eastern, and the punya kala runs to sunset at 5:33 PM. Bhogi and Lohri are the day before, Wednesday, January 13, and Mattu Pongal and Kanuma are the day after, Friday, January 15. Calendars printed for India show Sankranti on Friday, January 15, because there the Sun enters Makara at 9:14 PM, after sunset.
The dates in Charlotte, 2027
Wednesday, January 13: Bhogi, the bonfire morning in Telugu and Tamil homes, and Lohri, the bonfire night in Punjabi homes. Thursday, January 14: Makar Sankranti, Thai Pongal and Uttarayan. The Sankranti moment is 10:44 AM Eastern and the punya kala runs from then to sunset at 5:33 PM. Friday, January 15: Mattu Pongal and Kanuma. These are Drik Panchang’s dates for Charlotte, and our Charlotte panchangam has the same days.
Why India shows January 15
The festival follows the moment the Sun enters Makara. In 2027 that moment is 9:14 PM on January 14 in India, after sunset, so calendars for New Delhi and Chennai move Sankranti and Pongal to Friday, January 15. In Charlotte the same moment is 10:44 AM on January 14, in daylight, so the day here is Thursday, January 14. If family in India celebrates a day after you, that is the reason. Temples post their own schedule, so check yours.
Indian grocers for pongal, til and jaggery
12 places, swipe →Rice, moong dal, jaggery, sesame and ghee are year round staples. Call ahead about sugarcane stalks and fresh turmeric plants: we have not checked their shelves for Sankranti.
- Patel Brothers8109 University City Blvd, Suite A, Charlotte, NC 28213Charlotte branch of the national Indian grocery chain with produce, spices, lentils, frozen foods and snacks.Visit website ↗Directions
- Triveni Supermarket (Charlotte)9539 Pinnacle Dr, Suite 100, Charlotte, NC 28262Indian supermarket in the University area with groceries, halal meat and a sweets counter, part of the regional Triveni chain.Visit website ↗Directions
- Indian Wholesale8104 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28213Indian grocery and provisions in 8104 University City Blvd.Visit website ↗CallDirections
- Subham Supermarket8630 Camfield St, Charlotte, NC 28277Indian supermarket in Ballantyne with fresh produce, halal meat, pooja items and an in-house food court serving biryanis and dosas.Visit website ↗Directions
- Suvidha International Market10008 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28213Indian grocery and provisions in 10008 University City Blvd.Visit website ↗CallDirections
- Triveni Supermarket (Pineville)300 S Polk St, Pineville, NC 28134Pineville location of the Triveni chain with Indian groceries, fresh meat, in-house bakery, sweets and a food court.Visit website ↗Directions
- Konark Grocers11328 E Independence Blvd, Matthews, NC 28105Indian grocery store on Independence Blvd in Matthews, attached to the Desi Bites restaurant, stocking staples, spices and snacks.View on Yelp ↗Directions
- Triveni Supermarket (Waxhaw)2531 Cuthbertson Rd, Waxhaw, NC 28173Indian supermarket on Cuthbertson Road serving the Weddington and Waxhaw corridor with groceries and fresh produce.Visit website ↗Directions
- Triveni Supermarket (Concord)5985 Thunder Rd NW, Concord, NC 28027Indian supermarket near Concord Mills with groceries, halal meat, sweets and a food court, open daily.View business listing ↗Directions
- Radhe Indian Supermarket9520 Charlotte Hwy, Fort Mill, SC 29707Indian grocery on Charlotte Hwy stocked with fresh vegetables, spices, rice, lentils and pantry staples, open daily 10 to 8:30.View on Yahoo ↗Directions
- Mythri Mart9571 Charlotte Hwy, Indian Land, SC 29707Indian grocery and provisions in 9571 Charlotte Hwy.Visit website ↗CallDirections
- Indian Fresh MartNEW115 J Commons Dr, Mooresville, NC 28117Indian grocery in Mooresville with spices, produce and halal meat plus an attached cafe serving chai and Indian meals.Visit website ↗Directions
Good to know
Lohri
Lohri is the bonfire night before Makar Sankranti: popcorn, peanuts, rewri and gajak go into the fire, with dhol and bhangra. By the Charlotte date that is Wednesday, January 13, 2027. Families who go by an Indian calendar may light it on Thursday, January 14.
Pongal and Sankranti food
Sakkarai pongal of rice, moong dal, jaggery and ghee, ven pongal, til laddoo and ellu bella of sesame and jaggery, and sugarcane. The grocers listed below carry the staples year round.
Events in Charlotte
No 2027 Sankranti, Pongal or Lohri program in the Charlotte area had been announced when this page was written on October 30, 2026. When temples and associations post theirs, they go on the events board and at the top of this page. Running one? Send it from the events page, free.
Questions people ask
When is Makar Sankranti 2027 in Charlotte?
Thursday, January 14, 2027. The Sankranti moment is 10:44 AM Eastern, and the punya kala runs to sunset at 5:33 PM.
When is Pongal 2027 in Charlotte?
Thai Pongal is Thursday, January 14, 2027 in Charlotte, with Bhogi on Wednesday, January 13 and Mattu Pongal on Friday, January 15. Calendars printed for India show Pongal on Friday, January 15.
When is Lohri 2027?
Lohri is the night before Makar Sankranti: Wednesday, January 13, 2027 by the Charlotte date. Families who follow an Indian calendar may mark it on Thursday, January 14.
Why is Sankranti a day earlier in Charlotte than in India?
Because of when the Sun enters Makara. In 2027 that happens at 9:14 PM on January 14 in India, after sunset, so India marks the festival on January 15. In Charlotte it happens at 10:44 AM on January 14, so the day here is January 14.
