Kanuma is the third day of Sankranti and belongs to the cattle. The oxen that ploughed the fields and the cows that fed the house are bathed, their horns painted and hung with bells and garlands, and they are fed the new harvest before anyone works them again. It is also the day of the largest family meal of the festival.
The story
The story told is Krishna's. When the cowherds of Gokulam stopped their yearly offering to Indra and honoured the hill Govardhana instead, Indra sent seven days of rain, and Krishna held the hill up on one finger to shelter people and cattle alike. Kanuma keeps that turn, from the rain god to the animals and the land themselves.
There is a firm custom that no one sets out on a journey on Kanuma; the saying goes that on this day not even a crow leaves its place. Visitors stay one more day, and Mukkanuma, the day after, is when they go.
How the day goes
- Dressing the cattleHorns are painted, foreheads marked with turmeric and kumkum, and the animals are garlanded and led through the village.
- The feastAfter two days of sweets and offerings, Kanuma is the day for meat in many households, and for garelu in almost all.
- PrabhaluIn Konaseema, tall decorated frames carrying images of Shiva are borne on men's shoulders across fields and canals to meet at Jaggannathota, the Prabhala Teertham.
- Food for the fieldIn many villages cooked rice is scattered at the edge of the fields for the birds and for the land.
- Staying putJourneys are not begun on Kanuma.
Why this date
Kanuma is the day after Makara Sankranti, and like it follows the Sun: 15 or 16 January in almost every year.
Kanuma in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Friday | |
| 2027 | Saturday | |
| 2028 | Sunday | |
| 2029 | Monday | |
| 2030 | Wednesday | |
| 2031 | Thursday |
More Telugu festivals
14 JanuaryBhogiభోగి
15 JanuaryMakara Sankrantiమకర సంక్రాంతి
13 FebruaryRatha Saptamiరథ సప్తమి
6 MarchMaha Sivaratriమహా శివరాత్రి
20 December 2026Vaikuntha Ekadasiవైకుంఠ ఏకాదశి
22 MarchHoliహోళీ
Where to see Kanuma
In the Telugu states
- Jaggannathota, KonaseemaAndhra PradeshThe Prabhala Teertham, where the prabhalu of eleven villages are carried through standing crops and across a canal without being set down.
- Venkateswara Temple, TirumalaAndhra PradeshThe Lord rides out to a mock hunt, the Paruveta Utsavam, on the day after Sankranti.
- OngoleAndhra PradeshHome of the Ongole bull, one of the great cattle breeds of the world; bull shows and strength contests gather in the district at Sankranti.
Across India
- MaduraiTamil NaduTamil Nadu keeps the same day as Mattu Pongal, the Pongal of the cattle.
- Brihadisvara Temple, ThanjavurTamil NaduThe great stone Nandi is dressed for the day in vegetables, fruit and sweets by the tonne.
- GovardhanUttar PradeshThe hill of the story, near Mathura, walked round by pilgrims throughout the year.