Makar Sankranti 2026 is a joyous Hindu festival celebrated every January to honor the Sun God’s journey from the Southern to the Northern Hemisphere. Unlike most Hindu festivals based on the lunar calendar, Makar Sankranti follows the solar calendar, making it unique, auspicious, and widely celebrated across India.
The word “Makar” means Capricorn, and “Sankranti” means transition, marking the sun’s movement into Capricorn. This celestial shift brings longer days and signals the start of the harvest season.
During the festival, families come together to pray, take holy dips in rivers, and express gratitude to Mother Earth as winter fades. Traditional sweets made with sesame seeds (til) and jaggery symbolize warmth, prosperity, and togetherness.
It is a time of renewal, thanksgiving, and celebration of nature’s blessings. Explore the cultural richness and festive beauty of Makar Sankranti 2026 with our curated India Holiday Packages, and witness India come alive with rituals, fairs, kite flying, and joyous traditions.
When is Makar Sankranti 2026?
Makar Sankranti 2026 will be celebrated on Wednesday, 14th January, at 2:49:42 PM IST. This marks the sun’s sacred entry into Capricorn (Makar), symbolizing new beginnings, divine blessings from Lord Surya, and the harvest season across India.
Auspicious Timings (Punya Kala) for Makar Sankranti 2026
- Full Auspicious Window: 2:49 PM – 5:45 PM IST
- Mahapunya Kaal (Most Auspicious): 2:49 PM – 3:13 PM IST
The Mahapunya Kaal is considered the most powerful period for performing rituals, holy dips, prayers, and seeking prosperity. Celebrating Makar Sankranti during these sacred hours ensures maximum blessings and spiritual energy.
Makar Sankranti: Significance & Astrological Importance
Makar Sankranti is a festival that celebrates a good harvest and welcomes prosperity and new beginnings. It marks the Sun’s northward journey, called Uttarayana, which is considered highly auspicious in Hindu traditions. Here’s why it is so important:
- Celebrating the Harvest: Farmers express gratitude to the Sun and Earth for a healthy crop yield and a successful farming season.
- Auspicious Timing: This period is believed to be perfect for starting new ventures, making major decisions, and seeking divine blessings.
- Bringing People Together: Each state in India celebrates Makar Sankranti uniquely, highlighting the country’s diverse culture, traditions, and unity.
The festival is a beautiful combination of spirituality, tradition, and community, making Makar Sankranti in India a truly meaningful celebration.
Traditional Practices of Makar Sankranti | Destinations Desire
During Makar Sankranti, several meaningful traditions are followed across India, reflecting gratitude, spirituality, and community:
- Sun Worship (Surya Puja): Devotees offer prayers and thanks to the Sun God for good health, prosperity, and well-being.
- Holy River Baths: Taking a dip in sacred rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, or Godavari is believed to purify the soul and bring blessings.
- Charity and Giving: Donating food, clothes, and money to those in need is a key part of the festival, promoting kindness and social harmony.
These traditions make Makar Sankranti in India not just a celebration, but also a festival of spiritual renewal, gratitude, and community bonding.
Why Kite Flying Is a Big Part of Makar Sankranti?
Flying kites during Makar Sankranti is a joyful and symbolic tradition that represents new beginnings. It reflects letting go of old worries and embracing positive energy for the year ahead.
The festival is also ideal for kite flying, as it falls during clear skies and pleasant winter sunshine, creating perfect outdoor conditions. Families and friends gather on rooftops, open grounds, and riversides, enjoying fun-filled moments and friendly kite battles.
This colorful tradition makes Makar Sankranti in India a lively, energetic, and memorable celebration for people of all ages.
Traditional Foods of Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti is not just about rituals and celebrations—it’s also a festival of delicious traditional foods that vary across India:
- Til-Gud Laddoos: Sweet balls made from sesame seeds and jaggery, believed to keep the body warm and healthy during winter.
- Puran Poli: A soft and flavorful sweet flatbread enjoyed in Maharashtra during the festival.
- Khichdi: A simple and comforting dish made with rice and lentils, especially popular in North India.
- Pongal: A special rice dish from Tamil Nadu, prepared either sweet or savory to mark the festive season.
These traditional foods make Makar Sankranti in India a feast for the senses, adding flavor, warmth, and cultural richness to the celebrations.
How India Celebrates Makar Sankranti: Regional Traditions
Makar Sankranti is celebrated differently across India, with each state adding its unique flavor, traditions, and cultural touch to the harvest season. Here’s a look at some of the most famous regional celebrations:
- Gujarat – Uttarayan & Kite Festival: In Gujarat, Makar Sankranti (Uttarayan) fills the skies with colourful kites. The Ahmedabad Kite Festival features rooftop competitions, traditional foods like undhiyu and chikki, and a lively, all-day festive atmosphere. Place To Visit In Makar Sankranti in India
- Tamil Nadu – Thai Pongal: Tamil Nadu celebrates Thai Pongal, a four-day harvest festival. Families cook sweet rice (Pongal) in clay pots, create decorative kolam designs, and honour cattle for their contributions to agriculture.
- Maharashtra – Til-Gud Exchange: In Maharashtra, the festival includes exchanging til-gud sweets with the phrase “Til-gud ghya, god god bola,” symbolizing warmth, love, and togetherness in relationships.
- Assam – Bhogali Bihu: Assam celebrates with grand feasts (bhoj), bonfires (meji), traditional games, and pithas (rice cakes), allowing families and communities to enjoy the harvest bounty together.
- Punjab – Lohri: Punjab’s Lohri is marked by bonfires, folk songs, and energetic dances. Families gather to pray for prosperity while enjoying festive treats like rewri, gajak, and popcorn.
Things You Can Do on Makar Sankranti Festival in India
Makar Sankranti is a festival full of joy, traditions, and togetherness. Here are some simple and fun ways to celebrate this special festival with your family and friends:
- Fly Kites: Gather on rooftops or open grounds to fly colourful kites. Enjoy friendly kite battles, watch the sky fill with vibrant colours, and celebrate the festival spirit together.
- Light Bonfires: Sit around warm bonfires in the evening with your community. Sing traditional songs, dance, and let go of negativity while welcoming fresh beginnings and positivity.
- Create Colourful Rangolis: Decorate the area outside your home with rangoli designs using coloured powders, flowers, or rice. Show your creativity and invite good luck and prosperity with these bright patterns.
- Cook Traditional Foods: Prepare delicious festival dishes like Tilgul, Undhiyu, Makki di Roti, or sesame laddoos. Use fresh ingredients and enjoy these special meals with your loved ones.
- Visit Fairs and Cultural Shows: Attend local fairs, melas, and cultural programs to enjoy music, dance, and folk performances. Experience the festive energy and support local artists and traditions.
Want to know where to celebrate Makar Sankranti 2026? Check out our guide to the best places to visit in India during Makar Sankranti. Before planning, make sure to check the Makar Sankranti weather in India to enjoy outdoor activities like kite flying and bonfires comfortably.
Makar Sakranti – Festival of Joy & Traditions
Makar Sankranti is a heartwarming festival that celebrates sunshine, gratitude, and fresh beginnings. People welcome the day with prayers, traditional foods, and joyful family gatherings. Homes are adorned with bright rangolis and festive decorations, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for the celebration.
While Makar Sankranti in Ahmedabad is famous for its vibrant kite-filled skies, the spirit of kite flying and festive cheer extends far beyond Gujarat. Many other states across India host their own colourful Makar Sankranti celebrations, each with unique traditions, fairs, and cultural events.
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Wherever you celebrate, Makar Sankranti brings families together to share sweets, enjoy rituals, and embrace the harvest season. It is a wonderful time to experience India’s rich culture, warmth, and festive energy with your loved ones.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Ans: Makar Sankranti is a Hindu festival celebrated in January, marking the Sun God’s entry into Capricorn and the start of the harvest season.
Ans: In 2026, Makar Sankranti falls on 14th January, with auspicious timings for prayers and rituals.
Ans: Celebrations vary by state: kite festivals in Gujarat, Thai Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Lohri in Punjab, Bhogali Bihu in Assam, river rituals in Varanasi & Haridwar, and fairs across India.
Ans: Popular foods include Til-Gud laddoos, Pongal, Khichdi, Puran Poli, Makki di Roti & Sarson da Saag depending on the region.
