Why Do All Auspicious Events Stop During Kharmas?

Details	Date and Duration	Sampradaya	Main Worship Items	Core Rules
Kharmas (Malamas)	Dhanu Sankranti to Makar Sankranti (One Month)	Sanatana and Vedic	Tulsi Leaves, Yellow Clothes, Ganges Water, Lamp	Self-Study, Name Chanting, Sattvic Conduct
Main Deity	Lord Shri Hari Vishnu and Lord Surya	All	Jaggery, Sesame, Fruits, Gopi Chandan	Auspicious Events Forbidden, Celibacy
Spiritual Benefit	Soul Purification, Destruction of Sins, Guru-Surya Grace	Sanatana	Grain, Clothes, Lamp and Sesame Donation	Renounce Arrogance, Pilgrimage Bath

As soon as the visible deity Lord Surya completes his journey through the watery sign of Scorpio and transits into the fiery sign of Sagittarius governed by Jupiter, the period of Kharmas or Malamas begins across the entire Sanatana tradition for a duration of one month. This phase starts every year in mid-December and continues uninterrupted until Makar Sankranti in mid-January. According to Vedic scriptures, a unique inward transformation occurs within solar energy and natural frequencies during this single month. For this reason, all worldly and material auspicious ceremonies such as marriages, tonsures, housewarmings, naming rituals and inaugurations of new businesses are completely halted and individuals are advised to shift their focus from external celebrations toward inner purification.

What Is The Legendary And Vedic Secret Of Kharmas?

A deeply fascinating lore explaining the onset of Kharmas is described in Vedic literature and the Puranas. Lord Surya, yoking seven horses to his divine chariot, continuously encircles the entire universe without stopping so that the operations of creation run smoothly. During his endless and uninterrupted journey, a time arrives when the horses of Lord Surya become excessively fatigued and their pace slows down. Seeing his horses deeply distressed and exhausted, the compassion of Lord Surya awakens and he stops near a sacred lake to grant his horses rest.

On the bank of that lake stood two khara, meaning donkeys. Lord Surya unyokes his exhausted horses from the chariot, leaving them to drink the lake water and yokes those two donkeys to his chariot to maintain the continuity of his journey. The gait of the donkeys is extremely slow and erratic, causing the speed of the chariot of the Sun to drop significantly. This reduced speed of the Sun is known by the name of Kharmas. When Lord Surya enters the sign of Capricorn after one month, he re-yokes his powerful horses to the chariot and his radiance and velocity return to their full capacity, allowing auspicious activities to resume once again.

What Is The Astrological And Scientific Perspective Of Kharmas?

In astrology, the Sun is regarded as the significator of king, soul and radiance, while Jupiter symbolizes wisdom, spiritual teacher, virtue and opulence. When Lord Surya enters the sign of Sagittarius or Pisces belonging to his supreme friend Jupiter, he renounces worldly and material desires to immerse himself in service to the Guru and spiritual contemplation. In this state, the worldly radiance of the Sun diminishes and he becomes introverted. For any auspicious activity such as marriage or housewarming, both the Sun and Jupiter are required to be strong in position.

Planet / Element	Position and Influence	Astrological and Practical Outcome
Lord Surya Deva	Positioned in Jupiter's sign with service attitude	Reduced worldly radiance, possibility of lack of success in material deeds
Devaguru Jupiter	Overlaid by the influence of the Sun	Enhancement of wisdom but indifference toward worldly pleasures
Natural Environment	Influence of Hemanta season, reduction in solar energy	Favorable time for health conservation and introverted practice

From a scientific and environmental standpoint as well, solar rays strike the northern hemisphere of the Earth at an angle during this period, reducing the intensity of solar energy. Extreme cold sets into the weather, making physical energy sluggish. Organizing grand auspicious celebrations or commencing new construction during such a time is considered practically unfavorable. therefore ancient sages designated this period for yoga, meditation and bodily purification rather than external festivities.

What Are The Worship Procedures And Rules Of Practice In Kharmas?

Although material and worldly auspicious activities are forbidden during Kharmas, this period is considered exceptionally supreme and rewarding for spiritual practice, mantra chanting, Shrimad Bhagavatam recitations and Sun worship. During this month, one should rise during Brahma Muhurta every morning, bathe and perform combined worship of Lord Surya Deva and Lord Shri Hari Vishnu.

1. Rise before sunrise in the early morning and bathe in a holy river or at home using Ganges water.
2. Offer Arghya to Lord Surya using a copper vessel containing water, kumkum, unbroken rice and red flowers.
3. Light a cow ghee lamp before Lord Vishnu and chant the mantra Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya.
4. Daily recite the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita or Vishnu Sahasranama with devotion.
5. Light a ghee lamp near the Tulsi plant during the evening hours.
6. The practitioner should consume pure sattvic food only once a day throughout this month.
7. Reverently donate sesame seeds, jaggery, clothes and warm garments to needy people.

Chanting, penance and charity performed during this period yield a hundred times more spiritual merit compared to regular days. Seekers who regularly recite the Vishnu Sahasranama during Kharmas find all types of afflictions removed from their lives.

What Should And Should Not Be Done During This One Month?

• Daily offer water to Lord Surya Deva and recite the Vishnu Sahasranama.
• Donate grain, sesame seeds, jaggery and warm clothes to poor and needy people.
• Study holy scriptures and adhere strictly to a pure sattvic lifestyle.
• Undertaking pilgrimages and bathing in holy rivers is considered highly auspicious.
• Do not perform activities like marriages, engagements or bridal entries even by mistake during this period.
• Starting construction of a new building or performing a housewarming is strictly forbidden.
• Avoid inaugurating new business ventures or purchasing new property and vehicles.
• Do not conduct child tonsure ceremonies or ear-piercing rituals during this month.

FAQ

How long does Kharmas last? Kharmas lasts for a duration of approximately one month, starting from Dhanu Sankranti in mid-December until Makar Sankranti in mid-January.

Why are auspicious events like marriages not conducted during Kharmas? During this period, the radiance of the Sun becomes introverted and the power of Jupiter weakens, due to which auspicious deeds do not yield beneficial results.

Can worship and religious rituals be performed during Kharmas? Yes, the time of Kharmas is considered highly auspicious for spiritual practice, name chanting, Sun worship and recitation of the Vishnu Sahasranama.

Which items are considered most auspicious to donate during Kharmas? Donating sesame seeds, jaggery, wheat, copper utensils and warm garments during Kharmas is considered immensely rewarding.

Which festival is celebrated upon the conclusion of Kharmas? Kharmas concludes with the holy festival of Makar Sankranti, after which all auspicious and sacred activities resume once again.