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Makar Sankranti 2026

मकर संक्रांति

📅 Wednesday, 14 January 2026

📖 About Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti marks the sun's transition into Capricorn (Makara) and the beginning of Uttarayan - the northward journey of the sun. In 2026, it falls on Wednesday, January 14.

✨ Significance

Makar Sankranti is one of the few Hindu festivals based on the solar calendar rather than the lunar calendar. It marks the sun's entry into Capricorn (Makara Rashi), ending the winter solstice and beginning the harvest season. The festival is known by different names across India: Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Lohri in Punjab (celebrated the day before), Bihu in Assam, and Uttarayan in Gujarat. Despite regional variations, the core celebration of the sun, harvest, and new beginnings remains constant. Spiritually, the day is considered highly auspicious for charity and good deeds, with the belief that those who die during Uttarayan achieve Moksha (liberation).

📜 Mythology & Stories

According to Hindu scriptures, the sun god Surya visits his son Shani (Saturn), who is the lord of Capricorn, on this day, setting aside their differences. This represents the importance of family bonds. In the Mahabharata, Bhishma Pitamah, who had the power to choose the time of his death, waited on his bed of arrows for the sun to enter Uttarayan before leaving his mortal body. The festival also celebrates the goddess Sankranti, who is believed to have killed a demon named Sankarasur on this day.

🪔 Rituals & Practices

  • ●Taking an early morning holy bath, preferably in a river
  • ●Offering prayers to the Sun God (Surya Puja)
  • ●Preparing and distributing til-gud (sesame and jaggery sweets)
  • ●Flying kites as a symbol of reaching towards the sun
  • ●Charity and donations (Daan) - considered highly meritorious
  • ●Eating seasonal foods like khichdi and til ladoos
  • ●Exchanging gifts and sweets with neighbors and friends
  • ●Visiting temples and holy rivers

🎭 Traditions Across India

Kite flying competitions in Gujarat and Rajasthan

Til-gud exchange with the saying "Til-gud ghya, god god bola"

Holy dips at river confluences like Kumbh Mela sites

Bonfire celebrations in North India (Lohri)

Pongal preparation in Tamil Nadu

🍲 Traditional Foods & Sweets

Til Ladoo

Sesame and jaggery balls

Chikki

Brittle made with peanuts/sesame and jaggery

Khichdi

Rice and lentil preparation

Puran Poli

Sweet flatbread with lentil filling

Gajak

Sesame brittle popular in North India

Undhiyu

Mixed vegetable dish from Gujarat

Quick Info

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Date

Wednesday, 14 January 2026

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Deity

Surya (Sun God)

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Moon Phase

Varies (Solar festival)

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Type

major Festival

🎉 Greetings

Happy Makar Sankranti!

मकर संक्रांति की शुभकामनाएं!

Til-gud ghya, god god bola

तिळ-गूळ घ्या, गोड गोड बोला

May the sun bring you warmth and prosperity

सूर्य आपके जीवन में गर्माहट और समृद्धि लाए

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