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Mesha Sankranti

Also known as Puthandu (Tamil New Year), Vishu, Baisakhi / Vaisakhi, Pohela Boishakh (regional rule differs)

Calculated – not yet reviewed

Tuesday 14 April 2026

Observance date and times for Auckland, New Zealand.

Sankranti (solar ingress)4:00 pm

About Mesha Sankranti

Mesha Sankranti is the Sun’s entry into Mesha (Aries) and marks the solar new year in many regions — Puthandu (Tamil New Year), Vishu (Kerala), Baisakhi/Vaisakhi (Punjab) and Pohela Boishakh (Bengal).

How it is observed

Customs vary: Vishu begins with the Vishukkani (an auspicious first sight), Puthandu with a festive meal, and Vaisakhi with harvest celebrations and gurdwara and temple visits.

About the time shown: Regional rules for which day to observe differ when the sankranti falls near sunset or midnight; check with your community.

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Calendar basis

Sun enters sidereal Mesha (sankranti); moved to next day if after local sunset

Tradition: Tamil / Malayali / Punjabi / Bengali / Odia. Customs differ between regions and families — follow your family tradition or temple where it differs.

Across New Zealand

CityDateTime
AucklandTue 14 Apr—
HamiltonTue 14 Apr—
TaurangaTue 14 Apr—
WellingtonTue 14 Apr—
Palmerston NorthTue 14 Apr—
ChristchurchTue 14 Apr—
DunedinTue 14 Apr—

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