Makar Sankranti is one of India’s most vibrant festivals, and it is the perfect time to explore new destinations through curated India Tour Packages. From colourful kite festivals to peaceful riverbank rituals, the country offers countless places to visit for Makar Sankranti in India for every kind of traveller.
This Makar Sankranti Travel Guide India by Destinations Desire brings together the best cities, cultural experiences, and festive hotspots to help you plan an unforgettable holiday.Whether you enjoy spiritual ghats, bustling local markets, folk performances, or heritage walks, Makar Sankranti in India offers a unique way to see the country come alive with traditions, flavours, and joyful celebrations.
Makar Sankranti Date: 14th January 2026
What to Expect During Makar Sankranti Across India
- Colourful kites filling the sky as families gather on rooftops and open grounds
- Holy dips at rivers and ghats, where locals offer prayers for prosperity and new beginnings
- Bustling festive streets with stalls selling tilgul sweets, popcorn, jaggery treats, and seasonal snacks
- Cultural performances like folk dances, drumming, and traditional games bringing communities together
- Village fairs and local melas where travellers can shop for handicrafts and enjoy authentic local food
A joyful and welcoming atmosphere everywhere you go, perfect for travellers wanting to experience India’s festive spirit up close
Best Places to Celebrate Makar Sankranti in India
Discover the vibrant Makar Sankranti in different states of India:
1. Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Searching for the Makar Sankranti festival near me? Head to Ahmedabad, one of the best places for the Kite Festival in India and a top destination to experience Makar Sankranti in Gujarat.
This is where international kite flyers fill the sky with vibrant colours, and the city comes alive with festive energy, local traditions, and famous flavours like undhiyu and jalebi, making the celebration truly unforgettable. Ahmedabad is among the top places to visit for Makar Sankranti in India.
Makar Sankranti Highlights – Ahmedabad
- Major Event: International Kite Festival at Sabarmati Riverfront with global kite flyers and vibrant skies
- Local Markets: Colourful kites, manjha threads, and street food like undhiyu & jalebi
- Date: Festival celebrations start from 12th January 2026
2. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Visit Varanasi during Makar Sankranti and experience the city like a local, surrounded by deep-rooted traditions and spiritual energy.
Join the crowds along the Ganges River for a sacred holy dip, offer prayers on the ancient ghats, float diyas on the river, and walk through the bustling ghats to enjoy devotional chants, street rituals, and festive snacks. Varanasi is one of the most meaningful places to celebrate Makar Sankranti in India.
Makar Sankranti Highlights – Varanasi
- Dashashwamedh & Assi Ghats: Holy dips, floating diyas, devotional chants
- Ghats & Streets: Peaceful strolls, street rituals, festive snacks, and local interactions
- Date: 14th January 2026
3. Delhi
Delhi offers one of the best Makar Sankranti celebrations in India, with the famous Delhi Kite Festival turning Connaught Place into a lively and colourful celebration hub. Enjoy thrilling kite battles, vibrant sky displays, and festive crowds that bring the city together.
You can also visit Baansera Bamboo Park to experience a calmer side of Makar Sankranti in Delhi, with relaxed kite flying and cultural performances like Bhangra, Bihu, and Ghoomar, making the festival truly memorable.
Makar Sankranti Highlights – Delhi
- Major Event: Delhi Kite Festival at Connaught Place with kite battles, display flying, and festive energy
- Baansera Bamboo Park: Peaceful kite flying and cultural shows including Bhangra, Bihu & Ghoomar
- Date: 14th January 2026
4. Haridwar, Uttarakhand
Haridwar is one of the best places to visit for Makar Sankranti in India, offering a calm, peaceful, and deeply spiritual atmosphere. Visitors gather along the Ganges River for the sacred morning dip, watch priests perform traditional rituals, breathe in the fragrance of incense, and enjoy festive sweets sold near the ghats.
The serene river flow, continuous chanting, and divine surroundings make Makar Sankranti in Haridwar a truly special experience in Uttarakhand.
Makar Sankranti Highlights – Haridwar
- Har Ki Pauri: Holy dip, Ganga aarti, spiritual rituals, peaceful river views
- Mansa Devi & Chandi Devi Temples: Cable-car rides, scenic hill views, divine darshan
- Local Streets & Ghats: Til sweets, festive snacks, prasad stalls, and cultural buzz
Date:14th January 2026
5. Amritsar, Punjab
Punjab’s Lohri celebrations bring a lively festive spirit that many travellers associate with the best Makar Sankranti in India. People gather around glowing bonfires, sing traditional folk songs, perform energetic bhangra and gidda, and share delicious dishes like sarson da saag, makki di roti, and rewri in a warm community setting.
The joyful atmosphere, music, and food make Makar Sankranti in Punjab a memorable cultural experience.
Makar Sankranti Highlights – Punjab
- Golden Temple & Surroundings: Bonfires, folk songs, bhangra & gidda dances
- Local Bazaars: Traditional meals, gur-til sweets, makki di roti, and saag
- Date:14th January 2026
- Date: 14th January 2026
6. Udaipur, Rajasthan
Udaipur is one of the most scenic places to celebrate the Makar Sankranti festival in India. With specially curated Rajasthan Tour Packages, travellers can join locals on lakeside rooftops where colourful kites fill the sky throughout the day.
Walk through lively local markets, taste famous Udaipur street food like kachori, gajak, and til sweets, and enjoy festive music echoing around the beautiful lakes.
With grand palaces, Lake Pichola, a cool winter breeze, and warm celebrations, Makar Sankranti in Udaipur offers a rich cultural experience for travellers.
Makar Sankranti Highlights – Udaipur
- Rooftops & Lakeside Spots (Fateh Sagar Lake, Lake Pichola): Kite flying, friendly kite battles, music, and sunset lake views
- Local Markets (Hathipole, Bapu Bazaar): Colourful kites, manjha, festive snacks, and vibrant street shopping
- Date: 14th January 2026
7. Jaipur, Rajasthan
Jaipur easily earns its place among the best places to visit for Makar Sankranti in India. Families gather on colourful rooftops, sharing laughter, friendly kite battles, and festive joy throughout the day. The local markets shine with bright kites and manjha threads, creating a lively atmosphere across the city.
The backdrop of Jaipur’s iconic forts and palaces adds a royal charm to Makar Sankranti in Jaipur, making the celebration even more memorable for travellers.
Makar Sankranti Highlights – Jaipur
- Rooftops & Fort Areas (Nahargarh Fort, Jal Mahal & Polo Grounds): Kite battles, festive events, family gatherings, and colourful skies
- City Markets: Kites, threads, festive treats, and vibrant street shopping
- Date: 14th January 2026
8. Guwahati, Assam
Experience Magh Bihu in Guwahati, one of the best places to celebrate Makar Sankranti in India, where travellers can enjoy glowing bonfires, warm community feasts, traditional bamboo huts (Mejis), lively local markets, and vibrant cultural performances that create a welcoming festive atmosphere.
The blend of rituals, food, and music makes Makar Sankranti in Guwahati a unique cultural experience in Assam.
Makar Sankranti Highlights – Guwahati
- Meji Burning Ceremonies: Early morning bonfires, traditional rituals, and photography moment
- Community Feasts: Pitha, larus, roasted rice, fish dishes, and local sweets
- Local Bihu Performances: Folk dance, drum beats, and community gatherings
- Markets: Handmade bamboo items, local snacks, and festive essentials
- Date: 14th January 2026
9. Kolkata, West Bengal
Celebrate the Makar Sankranti festival in India by visiting Kolkata, where travellers can join local families at Poush Sankranti fairs, taste traditional Bengali sweets like pithe, patishapta, and payesh, and witness sacred rituals at the famous Gangasagar Mela.
Explore the colourful river confluence, interact with locals, and soak in the warm festive spirit that makes Makar Sankranti in Kolkata a unique cultural experience.
Makar Sankranti Highlights – Kolkata
- Gangasagar Mela: Pilgrimage, river rituals, floating lamps
- Poush Sankranti Fairs: Traditional sweets like pithe, patishapta, and payesh
- Festive Stalls & Local Interactions: Cultural buzz and authentic celebrations
- Date: 14th January 2026
10. Nashik, Maharashtra
Visit Nashik during Makar Sankranti to experience the festival like a local. Take a sacred holy dip at the riverside ghats, participate in traditional rituals, exchange tilgul sweets with locals, and explore festive stalls filled with sesame-jaggery treats and regional snacks. For a calm and peaceful experience, plan your visit early in the morning.
The spiritual setting and warm local interactions make Makar Sankranti in Nashik a meaningful celebration in Maharashtra.
Makar Sankranti Highlights – Nashik
- Riverside Ghats: Holy dips, traditional rituals, and peaceful morning atmosphere
Festive Stalls: Exchange tilgul, enjoy sesame-jaggery sweets, and explore local snacks - Date: 14th January 2026
11. Hyderabad, Telangana
In Hyderabad, Telangana, the celebration of Makar Sankranti in India transforms into a vibrant three-day festival called Sankranti Sambaralu. The city and nearby regions come alive with colourful muggulu (rangolis), warm evening bonfires, and traditional village bull races.
Families prepare festive dishes like pongal, exchange sesame-jaggery sweets, and gather together to celebrate warmth, unity, and age-old customs, making Makar Sankranti in Hyderabad a joyful and memorable cultural experience.
Makar Sankranti Highlights – Hyderabad
- Major Event: International Kite & Sweet Festival at Parade Grounds and community rooftop zones with kite flying, neighbourhood rituals, and colourful rangolis
- Sankranti Sambaralu Events: Bonfires, bull races, and cooking & sharing festive sweets
- Date(s): 13th–15th January 2026
12. Mysore, Karnataka
Experience a peaceful and cultural Makar Sankranti festival in Mysuru (Mysore), where traditions are celebrated in a calm and welcoming way. Enjoy festive temple visits, taste local sweets, watch gentle kite flying, and explore charming old-city streets glowing in soft winter light.
The relaxed pace, heritage surroundings, and warm local interactions make Makar Sankranti in Mysore a beautiful experience for travellers.
Makar Sankranti Highlights – Mysuru
- Chamundi Hill & Temple Areas: Traditional prayers, temple rituals, and scenic sunrise views
- Old-City Streets & Local Markets: Local snacks like sakkare acchu and jaggery sweets, festive shopping, and community warmth
- Rooftop & Open-Ground Kite Flying (Select Neighbourhoods): Small kites, calm skies, and local interactions
- Cultural Walks & Heritage Tours: Lakes, palaces, and old temples with winter-friendly sightseeing
- Date: 14th January 2026
13. Madurai, Tamil Nadu
In Tamil Nadu, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Pongal, a warm four-day harvest festival full of traditions and local charm. Families cook sweet rice in new clay pots for Thai Pongal, while villages come alive with Jallikattu and other age-old customs that showcase the state’s rich cultural spirit. Madurai is one of the most beautiful places to visit for Makar Sankranti in India.
Makar Sankranti Highlights – Madurai
- Temple Areas & Streets: Thai Pongal celebrations, sweet rice cooking, and harvest rituals
- Village-style Fairs: Folk traditions, cultural activities, and local festive treats
- Date(s): 14th–17th January 2026
14. Puri, Odisha
Puri’s Makar Mela beautifully combines devotion and local festive joy, creating a truly memorable experience. Visitors flock to the Jagannath Temple for prayers, enjoy the festive offerings, and explore lively fair stalls filled with regional delights.
The warm and welcoming atmosphere draws travellers from across Odisha, making Puri one of the best places to visit for Makar Sankranti in India.
Makar Sankranti Highlights – Puri
- Jagannath Temple & Mela Grounds: Devotional prayers and temple festivities
- Coastal Fairs & Stalls: Handicrafts, sweets, seafood, and vibrant seafront atmosphere
- Date: 14th January 2026
Celebrate the Spirit of Makar Sankranti Across India
Makar Sankranti is more than just a festival—it is a vibrant celebration of culture, tradition, and togetherness. Exploring the best places to visit for Makar Sankranti in India lets travellers witness colourful kite-filled skies, sacred river rituals, lively local fairs, bustling markets, and delicious regional delicacies.
Every state in India brings its own unique charm to the festival. From spiritual ghats and temple visits to folk performances and harvest traditions, Makar Sankranti in India offers something for everyone. Whether you are seeking adventure, spirituality, or cultural immersion, the festival promises an unforgettable journey through India’s rich and festive landscapes.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Ans:- Makar Sankranti is a traditional Indian festival that marks the harvest season and the sun’s transition into Capricorn (Makar). It is celebrated with kite flying, river rituals, fairs, and festive food across India.
Ans: In 2026, Makar Sankranti falls on 14th January. Some regions, like Telangana, celebrate it for multiple days with events like Sankranti Sambaralu.
Ans: India’s diverse cultures celebrate the harvest festival in unique ways. While northern states focus on kite festivals, eastern states emphasize temple rituals and fairs, southern states celebrate Thai Pongal, and northeastern states have Magh Bihu festivities.
Ans: Yes! India Tour Packages for Makar Sankranti are available in most states, offering travelers the chance to experience cultural, spiritual, and festive activities across the country.
