Today is January 14, 2026 Makar Sankranti. Usually, in Indian tradition, this is a day of huge relief for families planning a wedding. It marks the end of "Kharmas," that one-month period where auspicious ceremonies are put on hold.Typically, the moment the sun enters Capricorn (Makar Rashi) today, the wedding invitations start flying out. But this year? There is an eerie silence on the wedding front. If you have been frantically calling your priest to set a date for late January, you have probably already heard the bad news: "No auspicious dates available right now."The "Venus" ProblemSo, why the delay? The Sun has done its job and moved to a good position, but another key player is missing from the field.The planet Venus (Shukra)—which represents love, luxury, and marital bliss in Vedic astrology is currently "combust" or, as we say in Hindi, Shukra Asta. Think of it like this: the planet responsible for blessing your marriage is currently powered down.In Hindu tradition, getting married while Venus is combust is a strict no-go. The belief is that you need the full power and brightness of Venus to ensure a happy, prosperous married life. So, even though Kharmas technically ends today, the doors for weddings are still shut.So, When Does the Fun Begin?You don’t have to wait too long, but you do have to write off the rest of January. The wedding season officially re-opens in the first week of February.According to the 2026 astrological calendar (Panchang), the "star" will rise again at the beginning of next month, and the first valid wedding date (Muhurat) falls on February 5, 2026.Your Wedding Cheat Sheet for 2026If you are currently stressed about picking a date, don't worry. Once the window opens in February, it stays open for quite a while. Here is a quick breakdown of when the "Lagan" is strong this year:The Bottom LineIt’s a bit frustrating to wait, especially when today feels like the "finish line" of Kharmas. But think of it this way: You just bought yourself a few extra weeks to finalize that menu, fix the guest list, and maybe take a breather before the madness of an Indian wedding kicks in.
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