Next: about 16 Dec to 14 Jan 2027
Kharmas, the month without weddings
From mid December to mid January, when the sun is in Sagittarius, many Hindu families hold no weddings, and saree shops turn to winter and trousseau stock.
What is worn for Kharmas, the month without weddings
Kharmas, also called Dhanurmas, is the month when the sun is in the sign Dhanu, Sagittarius, roughly 16 December to 14 January. Many Hindu families, especially in north, west and central India, regard it as unsuitable for weddings and other new beginnings. In Tamil Nadu a similar rule applies to the month of Margazhi, when weddings are not held, although the month is full of temple rites and music. As a result weddings stop for the month and start again after Makar Sankranti, so bridal saree buying is often planned around it. The dates shown run from the day the sun enters Sagittarius to the day before Makar Sankranti and shift by a day from year to year.
The sarees
Written by the EveryPallu desk with AI assistance. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.