Makar Sankranti 2026 is one of the most important Hindu festivals and will be celebrated across India with great devotion, joy, and cultural pride. The festival marks the transition of the Sun into the zodiac sign Capricorn (Makar Rashi), which is considered extremely auspicious in Hindu tradition.
Unlike most Hindu festivals that follow the lunar calendar, Makar Sankranti is based on the solar calendar, which is why it usually falls on January 14 every year.
📅 Makar Sankranti 2026 Date & Time
- Festival Date: 14 January 2026 (Wednesday)
- Makar Sankranti Punya Kaal: Morning to Afternoon
- Sun Enters Capricorn: Early morning on January 14
This period is considered ideal for holy baths, charity, and worship.
🌾 Why Makar Sankranti Is Celebrated
Makar Sankranti marks the end of the winter solstice and the beginning of longer, warmer days. From this day, the Sun begins its northward journey (Uttarayan), which is believed to bring positivity, prosperity, and good fortune.
The festival is also linked to the harvest season, when farmers celebrate their crops and pray for abundance.
🛕 Religious Significance
According to Hindu scriptures, taking a holy bath in rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, and Narmada on Makar Sankranti washes away sins and brings spiritual merit. People also perform:
- Surya Puja (Sun worship)
- Charity (daan) of food, clothes, and money
- Prayers for prosperity and good health
🪁 How Makar Sankranti Is Celebrated in India
Makar Sankranti is known by different names across India:
| State | Festival Name |
|---|---|
| Gujarat & Rajasthan | Uttarayan (Kite Festival) |
| Tamil Nadu | Pongal |
| Punjab & Haryana | Lohri |
| Assam | Magh Bihu |
| West Bengal | Poush Sankranti |
| Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh | Sankranti |
People celebrate by flying kites, cooking traditional food, performing puja, and meeting loved ones.
🍯 Traditional Foods of Makar Sankranti
Special dishes made on this day include:
- Til (Sesame seeds) & Gud (Jaggery) laddoos
- Khichdi
- Pongal
- Chikkis
- Sweet rice and kheer
These foods symbolize warmth, sweetness, and unity.
👨👩👧👦 Social Importance
Makar Sankranti promotes:
- Togetherness
- Gratitude for nature
- Sharing and charity
- Fresh beginnings
Families visit relatives, exchange sweets, and spread happiness.
🌟 Why Makar Sankranti 2026 Is Special
Makar Sankranti 2026 brings new hopes after the winter season and marks a fresh chapter of growth, success, and positivity for everyone.
