A good Makar Sankranti offer message is short and specific: a warm festival greeting, one clear offer with a deadline, and one button to act on it. To send it to your customer list on the WhatsApp Business API, it must go out as a Meta-approved Marketing template, so submit your Sankranti, Pongal, Lohri, Uttarayan and Bihu templates early in January 2027.
Below are 40 ready-to-use templates grouped by festival and region, the 2027 dates with send windows, the approval rules that trip up festive templates, and what a campaign costs. If you ran December campaigns, the format matches our Christmas and New Year WhatsApp offer templates.
Key Takeaways
- Lohri is on 13 January 2027. Makar Sankranti and Thai Pongal fall on 14 or 15 January depending on the panchang, and Magh Bihu is on 15 January.
- Every festive template is Marketing category, even a plain greeting with no offer.
- Send offers two to three days before each festival; keep festival mornings for greetings.
- On Client Pay, 5,000 marketing messages cost ₹4,815.50 all-in.
Makar Sankranti 2027 dates and when to send each message
The harvest festival week runs from 13 to 17 January 2027, with a different name and date in each region. Sources differ on whether Makar Sankranti and Thai Pongal fall on 14 or 15 January 2027, because panchangs time the sun's entry into Makara rashi differently. Check your local calendar, or write "this Sankranti" instead of a date.
| Festival | Main region | 2027 date | Best send window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lohri | Punjab, Haryana, Delhi NCR | Wed, 13 Jan | Offers 10 to 12 Jan; greeting on 13 Jan morning |
| Bhogi | Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana | Thu, 14 Jan | 11 to 13 Jan |
| Makar Sankranti | Maharashtra, Karnataka, North India, pan-India | 14 or 15 Jan (varies by panchang) | Offers 11 to 13 Jan; greeting on the day |
| Uttarayan | Gujarat | 14 Jan (Vasi Uttarayan 15 Jan) | 10 to 13 Jan |
| Thai Pongal | Tamil Nadu | 14 or 15 Jan (varies by panchang) | 11 to 13 Jan |
| Magh Bihu | Assam | Fri, 15 Jan (Uruka on 14 Jan) | 12 to 13 Jan |
| Mattu Pongal | Tamil Nadu | Sat, 16 Jan | 15 Jan |
| Kaanum Pongal | Tamil Nadu | Sun, 17 Jan | 16 Jan, last-chance offers |
Offers work best while people are still shopping, so send them early and keep the festival day for greetings. Segment your list by state so a Chennai customer gets Pongal messages and a Ludhiana customer gets Lohri ones. For planning festive sales across the year, see our WhatsApp festival commerce playbook for India.
Makar Sankranti offer templates for retail, jewellery, food and D2C
These suit pan-India lists plus Maharashtra, Karnataka and North India. {{1}} is the customer's first name; other variables hold the amount, code or product, so one approved template serves many campaigns. For more formats, browse these WhatsApp promotional message examples for Indian businesses.
Retail and fashion stores
Template 1: Til-gul flat discount (category: Marketing)
Hi {{1}}, til-gul ghya, god god bola! 🪁 This Makar Sankranti, get flat ₹{{2}} off on purchases above ₹{{3}}. Valid till 15 January. Show this message at billing.
Template 2: Festive collection discount (category: Marketing)
Hi {{1}}, our Sankranti festive collection is in! Enjoy {{2}}% off kurtas and sarees this weekend only. Tap Shop Now or reply to reserve your size.
Template 3: Buy one, get one (category: Marketing)
Sankranti special for you, {{1}}! Buy one, get one free on all {{2}} till 15 January. Tap the button to see the full range.
Jewellery stores
Template 4: Making-charge offer (category: Marketing)
Happy Makar Sankranti, {{1}}! Begin the auspicious season with gold: {{2}}% off making charges on gold jewellery till {{3}}. Tap the button to book a store visit.
Template 5: Silver gifting (category: Marketing)
Hi {{1}}, looking for a Sankranti gift? Silver coins and pooja items start at ₹{{2}}, with free gift wrapping this week. Reply GIFT to get our catalogue.
Restaurants and sweet shops
Template 6: Til-gul family pack (category: Marketing)
Til-gul ghya, god god bola, {{1}}! 🍬 Our family pack of til ladoo, gul poli and chikki is ₹{{2}}. Pre-order today and pick it up fresh on festival morning.
Template 7: Khichdi thali delivery (category: Marketing)
Happy Sankranti, {{1}}! Our festive khichdi and til thali is back at ₹{{2}}, with free home delivery above ₹{{3}}. Tap Order Now to book your slot.
Template 8: Family table booking (category: Marketing)
Hi {{1}}, celebrate Sankranti with family at our restaurant. Tables of four or more get a free dessert platter. Reply BOOK with your preferred time.
D2C and online stores
Template 9: Sale code with free delivery (category: Marketing)
Hi {{1}}, our Sankranti sale is live! Use code {{2}} for {{3}}% off plus free delivery. Ends 15 January at midnight. Tap Shop Now to order.
Template 10: Festive cart nudge (category: Marketing)
Hi {{1}}, your cart is still waiting. Complete your order before Sankranti and get an extra ₹{{2}} off with code {{3}} at checkout.
Pongal offer templates for Tamil Nadu
Pongal runs four days, so you can spread your messages: Bhogi for exchange and clear-out sales, Thai Pongal for the main offer, Mattu Pongal for farm audiences and Kaanum Pongal for outings and last-chance deals. The Tamil greetings below are in Roman script.
Bhogi and Thai Pongal
Template 11: Pongalo Pongal flat offer (category: Marketing)
Pongalo Pongal, {{1}}! 🌾 Celebrate the harvest with flat ₹{{2}} off on orders above ₹{{3}}, valid till 17 January. Tap Shop Now to start shopping.
Template 12: Silk saree collection (category: Marketing)
Iniya Pongal Nalvazhthukkal, {{1}}! Our Pongal silk saree collection is here with {{2}}% off and free blouse stitching. Reply SAREE to see the latest designs.
Template 13: Bhogi exchange offer (category: Marketing)
Hi {{1}}, out with the old this Bhogi! Exchange your old {{2}} and get up to ₹{{3}} off a new one until Thai Pongal. Reply EXCHANGE for a quote.
Template 14: Pongal grocery kit (category: Marketing)
Your Pongal kit is ready, {{1}}! Raw rice, jaggery, cardamom, ghee and cashews in one combo at ₹{{2}}. Order by 13 January for delivery before Thai Pongal.
Mattu Pongal and Kaanum Pongal
Template 15: Mattu Pongal farm supplies (category: Marketing)
Happy Mattu Pongal, {{1}}! Thank you for trusting us with your farm needs. Get {{2}}% off cattle feed and farm supplies this week. Reply ORDER to buy.
Template 16: Kaanum Pongal family outing (category: Marketing)
Kaanum Pongal outing planned, {{1}}? Every family table of four at our restaurant gets a free sweet pongal on 17 January. Reply BOOK to reserve.
Template 17: Last day of Pongal offers (category: Marketing)
Last day of Pongal offers, {{1}}! Our {{2}}% festive discount ends tonight at midnight. Tap Shop Now before the sale closes.
Lohri offer templates for Punjab and Delhi NCR
Lohri is an evening bonfire festival on 13 January, so send offers by the 12th and greetings on the morning of the 13th. Light Hinglish and Punjabi greetings land well; keep the offer itself in plain words.
Template 18: Lakh lakh vadhaiyan offer (category: Marketing)
Lohri di lakh lakh vadhaiyan, {{1}}! 🔥 Enjoy flat ₹{{2}} off on orders above ₹{{3}}, valid till 14 January. Tap Shop Now to celebrate.
Template 19: Rewri and gajak hamper (category: Marketing)
Lohri ki taiyari shuru, {{1}}? Our rewri, gajak, peanut and popcorn hamper is ₹{{2}} with free delivery. Order by 12 January to get it on time.
Template 20: First Lohri gifting (category: Marketing)
Pehli Lohri in the family, {{1}}? Make it special with gift hampers and baby outfits at {{2}}% off. Reply GIFT to see the collection.
Send these messages on WhatsApp, from your own number
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Template 21: Bonfire night thali (category: Marketing)
Lohri night at our place, {{1}}! Bonfire, live dhol and a makki di roti with sarson da saag thali at ₹{{2}}. Reply BOOK with your group size.
Template 22: Phulkari outfits (category: Marketing)
Lohri outfits sorted, {{1}}! Phulkari dupattas and festive suits are {{2}}% off this week only. Tap the button to shop or visit our store.
Template 23: Lohri combo deal (category: Marketing)
Hi {{1}}, our Lohri combo is here: buy any {{2}} and get a {{3}} free. Valid till 13 January while stock lasts. Reply YES to hold one.
Uttarayan kite festival templates for Gujarat
In Gujarat, Uttarayan on 14 January and Vasi Uttarayan on the 15th mean kites, terraces and undhiyu. Shoppers stock up days ahead, so start kite and food offers from 10 January.
Template 24: Kai Po Che sale (category: Marketing)
Kai Po Che, {{1}}! 🪁 Our Uttarayan sale is live with flat ₹{{2}} off on orders above ₹{{3}}, valid till 15 January. Tap Shop Now.
Template 25: Kite and manja combo (category: Marketing)
Terrace ready, {{1}}? Our Uttarayan combo of {{2}} kites and a manja firki is just ₹{{3}}, with free home delivery. Reply ORDER to book yours.
Template 26: Undhiyu pre-order (category: Marketing)
Undhiyu and jalebi for Uttarayan, {{1}}? Pre-order a family pack at ₹{{2}} per kg and pick it up fresh on festival morning. Reply BOOK to confirm.
Template 27: Terrace party essentials (category: Marketing)
Terrace party sorted, {{1}}! Caps, sunglasses, speakers and snacks are up to {{2}}% off this Uttarayan. Tap the button before stock runs out.
Template 28: Chikki and ladoo (category: Marketing)
Happy Uttarayan, {{1}}! Fresh til chikki, sing chikki and mamra ladoo are now {{2}}% off. Reply CHIKKI to order on WhatsApp.
Template 29: Terrace skincare (category: Marketing)
A full day on the terrace, {{1}}? Get {{2}}% off sunscreen and lip care this Uttarayan week with code {{3}} on our website.
Magh Bihu templates for Assam
Magh Bihu, also called Bhogali Bihu, is a feasting festival. Uruka, the community feast night, falls on 14 January and Bihu on the 15th, so food, pitha, gamosa and clothing offers fit best.
Template 30: Magh Bihu sale (category: Marketing)
Happy Magh Bihu, {{1}}! 🌾 Celebrate the harvest with {{2}}% off all orders till 16 January. Tap Shop Now to start your Bihu shopping.
Template 31: Pitha and laru boxes (category: Marketing)
Planning the Uruka feast, {{1}}? Til pitha, narikol laru and jolpan packs are ₹{{2}} per box. Order by 13 January for delivery before Uruka.
Template 32: Gamosa and mekhela chador (category: Marketing)
Hi {{1}}, our Bihu collection of gamosa and mekhela chador is here, with free shipping across Assam. Reply BIHU to see the catalogue.
Template 33: Bihu grocery offer (category: Marketing)
Bihu shopping list ready, {{1}}? Get flat ₹{{2}} off rice, jaggery, sesame and more on orders above ₹{{3}}, valid till 15 January.
Wishes-only festival greetings (still Marketing category)
Sometimes you just want to say thank you without a sales pitch. Meta still classifies festive greetings as Marketing, even with no offer or link, so these follow the same approval rules and pricing as the offers above.
Template 34: Makar Sankranti wish (category: Marketing)
Happy Makar Sankranti, {{1}}! 🪁 May this harvest season bring warmth, sweetness and new beginnings to your family. Thank you for being part of ours.
Template 35: Pongal wish (category: Marketing)
Iniya Pongal Nalvazhthukkal, {{1}}! Wishing your family a harvest full of joy, health and prosperity. Thank you for choosing us this year.
Template 36: Lohri wish (category: Marketing)
Lohri di lakh lakh vadhaiyan, {{1}}! May the bonfire burn away the cold and fill your home with warmth and happiness.
Template 37: Uttarayan wish (category: Marketing)
Happy Uttarayan, {{1}}! May your kites fly high and your year soar even higher. Kai Po Che from all of us.
Template 38: Magh Bihu wish (category: Marketing)
Happy Magh Bihu, {{1}}! Wishing you a joyful Uruka feast and a bright harvest season with your loved ones.
Template 39: B2B client thank-you (category: Marketing)
Dear {{1}}, warm Sankranti wishes from all of us at {{2}}. Thank you for your trust this year, and here's to growing together in 2027.
Template 40: All-India harvest wish (category: Marketing)
Hi {{1}}, whether you celebrate Lohri, Sankranti, Pongal, Uttarayan or Bihu, we wish you a happy harvest festival and a sweet start to 2027.
How to get your Sankranti templates approved by Meta
Most festive templates get rejected for avoidable reasons: the wrong category, badly placed variables or missing sample values. Our guide to WhatsApp message template categories explains the Marketing, Utility and Authentication rules in detail. Check these before you submit:
- Category: choose Marketing for every greeting and offer. A festive greeting submitted as Utility will be re-categorised or rejected.
- Variables: number them in order ({{1}}, {{2}}, {{3}}), never start or end the message with one, and add realistic sample values such as "Priya" and "200".
- Image header: a kite, pongal pot or product photo helps the message stand out. Submit with an image you own; you can swap it for each campaign.
- Buttons: a "Shop Now" URL button plus a "Stop promotions" quick reply is enough. An easy opt-out is better than a block.
- Opt-in: send only to customers who agreed to WhatsApp updates, for example at checkout, through a click-to-chat ad or at your store counter.
- Languages: submit Tamil, Punjabi, Gujarati or Assamese versions as separate templates with the matching language selected.
- Timing: submit by 8 January 2027 so a rejection leaves time to edit and resubmit before Lohri.
After sending, watch your number's quality rating in WhatsApp Manager and pause if blocks or reports rise. No one can guarantee delivery, but opt-in lists, relevant offers and a cap of two messages per customer across the festival week keep your rating healthy.
What a Sankranti WhatsApp campaign costs, and when to send it
On RichAutomate's Client Pay model, you pay a ₹0.10 platform fee per message, and Meta bills your business directly: ₹0.8631 per marketing message and ₹0.1150 per utility or authentication message. A marketing template therefore costs about ₹0.9631 all-in.
| Messages | Category | Platform fee | Meta charge | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 offers | Marketing | ₹100 | ₹863.10 | ₹963.10 |
| 5,000 offers | Marketing | ₹500 | ₹4,315.50 | ₹4,815.50 |
| 10,000 offers | Marketing | ₹1,000 | ₹8,631 | ₹9,631 |
| 2,000 order confirmations | Utility | ₹200 | ₹230 | ₹430 |
When customers reply with questions, you can answer inside the 24-hour customer-service window; since 1 October 2026, the first 1,000 such replies per month per number are free.
Plans are optional: Starter at ₹499 a month (499 credits), Pro at ₹899 (999 credits) and White-label at ₹1,199 (1,399 credits). The plan fee comes back as wallet credits and setup is ₹0. Compare the details on our WhatsApp Business API pricing page.
Suggested send schedule for January 2027
- By 8 January: submit all templates and get them approved.
- 10 to 12 January: Uttarayan offers for Gujarat and Lohri offers for Punjab and Delhi NCR.
- 11 to 13 January: Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Bihu offers.
- Festival mornings: greetings only.
- 16 to 17 January: one last-chance reminder, only to people who clicked or replied.
Ready to run your harvest festival campaign? Start your 14-day free trial with 100 free credits and ₹0 setup, submit these templates this week, and have them approved before the first kite goes up.