Makar Sankranti (मकर संक्रांति) is a festival falling in the Hindu lunar month of पौष. Its position is fixed by tithi rather than by the Gregorian calendar, so the date moves every year and is computed from the panchang. No fast is prescribed for the day. The observance itself, and its puja vidhi, stay the same each year.
Makar Sankranti
मकर संक्रांति
Hindu month: पौष
Panchang Basis (Tithi Rule)
This is a solar observance — its day is fixed by Surya's entry into a new rashi (Sankranti), which is why it falls on nearly the same Gregorian date every year, unlike tithi-based festivals.
About This Festival
The great solar festival marking Surya's northward turn (Uttarayan) — celebrated with holy- river snan, til-gud sweets, khichdi, daan to the needy, and kite-flying across North and West India.
सूर्य के उत्तरायण होने का महापर्व — पवित्र नदी स्नान, तिल-गुड़, खिचड़ी, दान और पतंगबाज़ी के साथ पूरे भारत में मनाया जाता है।
Significance
Marks the beginning of Uttarayan, the auspicious six-month half of the year when the Sun strengthens and new ventures, griha pravesh, and vivah muhurats resume in many traditions. Bathing at sangams and offering arghya to Surya on this day is believed to dissolve accumulated doshas, while til (sesame) daan is the classical remedy for Shani — Surya's son — making the day doubly remedial. Harvest gratitude gives the festival its second face: Pongal in the South, Magh Bihu in Assam, Lohri's fires the evening before in Punjab.
Puja Vidhi (How to Observe)
Bathe before sunrise, ideally adding til to the water or visiting a river ghat. Offer arghya to the rising Sun with a copper vessel of water, red flowers, and til while reciting the Gayatri or Surya mantras. Donate til-gud, khichdi ingredients, blankets, or warm clothes to those in need — daan is the heart of this festival. Cook and share khichdi and til-gud laddoos with family. Fly kites in the afternoon where the tradition lives, and end the day with Surya namaskar at sunset.
Regional Names
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Makar Sankranti celebrated?
Makar Sankranti is celebrated on Wednesday, 14 January 2026 in 2026 and Thursday, 14 January 2027 in 2027. The date changes each year because it follows the Hindu lunar calendar (Panchang) — every date here is computed from real planetary positions using the Swiss Ephemeris engine, not copied from a fixed list.
Is Makar Sankranti a fasting (vrat) day?
Makar Sankranti is not primarily a fasting day, though many families still keep a light fast or a sattvic diet as part of the observance.
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