Festival · Pausha Krishna Dwadashi
Kinkrant 2026
Kinkrant is the day after Sankranti, when the goddess killed Kinkarasur. No new beginnings today: a quiet day for the family deity, while the haldi-kunku goes on.
Date, tithi and timing
Times are for Indore. The app gives times for your city.
Date by city
The date is the same in every city listed.
Next year, 2027
Quick facts
- Also known asKaridin
- WhereMaharashtra
- Puja forThe goddess Sankranti, and your family deity
- In one lineThe goddess Sankranti's victory over Kinkarasur; a day for no new beginnings.
Kinkrant, in a little more detail
- 01
About the festival
Kinkrant is the day after Sankranti. In the panchang it is a karidin, a day not taken for auspicious work.
So nothing new is started today: no new venture, no long journey. But it isn't a day to fear. The haldi-kunku carries on, a sweet naivedya is offered, and people remember their family deity.
It's a quiet day after a big festival. No quarrels at home, a calm mind, respect for everyone. Pausing to settle after a celebration is part of the festival too.
- 02
The goddess Sankranti and two demons
Makar Sankranti is said to take its name from the goddess Sankranti. A demon called Sankarasur was tormenting people, and on Sankranti she killed him.
But the trouble wasn't over: another demon, Kinkarasur, was still around. The next day the goddess killed him too, and freed the people from his oppression.
That second day is Kinkrant. When one trouble is gone, don't leave the job half done; see it through: that's what the story says.
- 03
In Maharashtra and beyond
The haldi-kunku that began on Sankranti runs until Ratha Saptami, and on Kinkrant too, married women give each other vaan, little gifts.
In these days, in many homes on Kinkrant, small children get a bornhan: puffed rice, ber fruit, chickpeas, sugarcane bits, halwa and these days chocolates are poured over their heads. It's done until a child is about five.
In the south the day after Sankranti belongs to the cattle: Mattu Pongal in Tamil Nadu and Kanuma in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The animals are bathed, their horns painted, garlanded and worshipped, and thanked for their help with the harvest.
How to do the puja
In short: A quiet day: no new start, but the family deity, the haldi-kunku and the children's bornhan.
- 1Light a lamp before your family deity, and offer a sweet naivedya.Sankranti's tilgul or gulachi poli will do.
- 2Put off new buying, new work or a long journey to another day.In the panchang today is a karidin, a day not taken for auspicious work.
- 3Give tilgul and vaan to the married women who come for haldi-kunku.Sankranti's haldi-kunku is still going on today.
- 4Do the small children's bornhan.Pour puffed rice, ber, chana, sugarcane bits and halwa over their heads, and let the children gather them.
- 5Spend the day with the family, calmly.Keep quarrels out of the house: a rest after the big festival.
What you needTick as you go
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Frequently asked questions
What if I can't avoid travelling or new work today?
Holding off new starts is a custom, not something to fear. If you can't avoid it, remember your family deity and go ahead calmly.
Can I hold haldi-kunku today?
Yes. Sankranti's haldi-kunku goes on through Kinkrant, and right up to Ratha Saptami.
Up to what age is a bornhan done?
Usually until about five. Keep the children close, and don't let little ones put chana or ber in their mouths: they can choke.
Is Kinkrant an unlucky day?
There's nothing to fear. Only auspicious beginnings are held off today; the festive mood, the haldi-kunku and everyday work go on as usual.
Set a reminder in the app
The app sends a notice the day before and on the day, even offline.