Makar Sankranti 2026 will be celebrated on 14 January as the Sun enters Capricorn. Learn shubh muhurat, rituals, timings and why it isn’t on 15 Jan.
- If there’s a festival that feels like sunshine in your heart, it’s Makar Sankranti — even if the weather still feels like winter.🌞
- 🌅 What Is Makar Sankranti?
- 📅 Makar Sankranti 2026: Official Date
- 🤔 Why Some People Think It’s on 15 January
- 🌞 What Happens on Makar Sankranti?
- 🕘 What Is Puṇya Kaal and Why It Matters
- 🌐 How Different States Celebrate Makar Sankranti
- 🎈 1. Gujarat and Rajasthan
- 🍚 2. Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
- 🪁 3. Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh
- 🎉 4. Maharashtra and Goa
- 📆 Shubh Muhurat and Ritual Timings (2026)
- 🪁 Why Makar Sankranti Is So Special
- 📊 Quick Snapshot: Makar Sankranti 2026
- 🧠 FAQs (Featured Snippet Friendly)
- 📌 Suggested Related Post
If there’s a festival that feels like sunshine in your heart, it’s Makar Sankranti — even if the weather still feels like winter.🌞
When the Sun starts its northward journey, it feels like nature is throwing a welcome-back party!
🌅 What Is Makar Sankranti?
Makar Sankranti is one of India’s oldest and most meaningful festivals. Unlike most Hindu festivals tied to the lunar calendar, this celebration follows the solar cycle, marking the exact moment the Sun moves into Makara (Capricorn) and begins its northward journey (Uttarayan).
This astronomical transition symbolizes:
- New beginnings
- Renewal of life
- Prosperity and blessings
According to astronomical calculations, in 2026 the Sun enters Makara Rashi around 3:13 PM IST, which means all rituals and celebrations fall on 14 January 2026 — not the 15th.
For a deeper understanding of the solar entry and its importance in festivals, you can explore this overview of Indian astronomy’s role in calendar observances:
👉 Astronomy in India and celestial events
📅 Makar Sankranti 2026: Official Date
Makar Sankranti 2026 Date: Wednesday, 14 January 2026
The key moment happens when the Sun enters Capricorn (Makara) at approximately 3:13 PM IST on 14 January. As this shift occurs well before sunset, the festival and all major rituals are observed on the same day — 14 January.
🤔 Why Some People Think It’s on 15 January
There is often confusion about whether Makar Sankranti should be celebrated on the 14th or 15th of January. The misunderstanding happens because:
- Some traditional Panchangs (almanacs) use sunrise-based rules.
- If the Sun enters Makara very late in the evening, rituals can be shifted to the next day.
- In some regions, local customs give importance to next-day observances.
However, in 2026, the transition happens in daylight. So there is no reason to shift celebrations to 15 January. All the key rituals and shubh muhurats fall comfortably on 14 January itself.
🌞 What Happens on Makar Sankranti?
Makar Sankranti is more than just a date on the calendar. It is a festival of joy, hope, and renewal. Here’s what people commonly do:
🌊 1. Take Holy Baths
Devotees take holy dips in sacred rivers like the Ganges, Yamuna, Godavari and others to cleanse body and soul.
🔥 2. Perform Surya Puja
People offer water to the rising Sun as a gesture of respect and gratitude.
💖 3. Charity and Daan
Giving food, clothes, and sesame seeds (til) to the needy is considered extremely auspicious.
🍬 4. Traditional Foods
Enjoying meals made with til (sesame) and jaggery, khichdi, and sweets that symbolize warmth and harmony.
These rituals aim to honor nature, celebrate harvest, and invite prosperity.
🕘 What Is Puṇya Kaal and Why It Matters
On Makar Sankranti, there’s a special period called Puṇya Kaal, which is considered very auspicious for performing rituals like holy baths, Surya puja, charity, and giving water to the Sun.
In 2026, since the Sun enters Capricorn in the afternoon, this auspicious window starts the same day — 14 January. That means people don’t have to wait or shift celebrations to another date.
🌐 How Different States Celebrate Makar Sankranti
While the heart of the festival is the same across India, local traditions add unique charm:
🎈 1. Gujarat and Rajasthan
Colorful kite festivals light up the sky as people compete playfully overhead.
🍚 2. Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
Delicious til ke laddu and puri-khichdi mark family feasts.
🪁 3. Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh
Folk dances, village fairs, and community feasts bring vibrant energy.
🎉 4. Maharashtra and Goa
Special sweet dishes and early morning Surya puja at beaches and riverbanks.
Each region adds its cultural flavor to the same cosmic moment, making Makar Sankranti a truly national festival.
📆 Shubh Muhurat and Ritual Timings (2026)
While exact timings can vary by location and local Panchangs, here’s a general guide for ritual planning on 14 January 2026:
- Sun enters Capricorn (Makara) –: ~3:13 PM IST
- Puṇya Kaal –: Begins shortly after Sun transition
- Surya Puja: Sunrise to a few hours after Puṇya Kaal
- Holy Baths: Morning and Puṇya Kaal windows
Before performing any rituals, devotees may consult their local temple or trusted astrologer for precise timings based on their city.
🪁 Why Makar Sankranti Is So Special
Makar Sankranti stands out from other festivals because:
🌌 1. It’s Linked to the Sun
Most Hindu festivals follow the lunar calendar. This one follows the solar cycle, making its date more predictable.
✨ 2. It Marks Nature’s Cycle
It signals the Sun’s return toward the northern hemisphere — a transition called Uttarayan, believed to bring light, hope, and fresh beginnings.
🌾 3. It Celebrates Harvest
Traditionally, it’s a festival of gratitude for nature’s bounty and the end of the winter crop season.
These layers make it one of India’s most enduring celebrations, recognized across communities and cultures.
📊 Quick Snapshot: Makar Sankranti 2026
| Festival | Makar Sankranti |
|---|---|
| Official Date | 14 January 2026 |
| Key Moment | Sun enters Makara ~3:13 PM IST |
| Main Rituals | Holy bath, Surya puja, charity, special foods |
| Puṇya Kaal | Afternoon on 14 Jan |
🧠 FAQs (Featured Snippet Friendly)
Q1: What is the Makar Sankranti 2026 date?
A: Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on 14 January 2026 as the Sun enters Capricorn that afternoon.
Q2: Why is Makar Sankranti not on 15 January in 2026?
A: Because the transition of the Sun into Makara happens in the afternoon of the 14th, all rituals are observed that same day.
Q3: What are the key rituals of Makar Sankranti?
A: Holy baths, Surya puja, charity, and enjoying traditional foods like til sweets and khichdi.
Q4: What is Puṇya Kaal?
A: It’s the auspicious time for performing rituals, starting shortly after the Sun enters Makara.
Q5: How do states celebrate Makar Sankranti differently?
A: Celebrations vary — kite festivals in Gujarat, feasts in Maharashtra, river rituals in the north, and community fairs in the south.
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Let’s spread light, warmth and understanding — just like Uttarayan itself.
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