Makar Sankranti 2026 Date & Time: Shubh Muhurat, Significance & Rituals

Makar Sankranti is one of the most important Hindu festivals, marking the transition of the Sun into Capricorn. This change is seen as the beginning of longer days and an auspicious time for new beginnings, gratitude, and harvest celebrations.

Knowing the correct date and shubh muhurat helps devotees perform rituals at the most beneficial time. For 2026, the festival is observed on 14 January, with auspicious timings falling on the same day.

Makar Sankranti 2026 Date and Muhurat

Some panchang variations may show slightly different timings for different cities, but the festival is celebrated on 14 January across India.

Significance of Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti holds deep spiritual, cultural, and seasonal importance across India. The festival marks the Sun’s transition into Capricorn, a moment believed to bring a shift toward positivity, clarity, and renewed energy.

This change signifies the end of the darker winter phase and the start of brighter, longer days filled with hope and progress. It also marks the beginning of the auspicious Uttarayan period, a six-month phase considered ideal for new beginnings, spiritual growth, and meaningful life decisions.

The festival is also closely linked to India’s agricultural heritage, symbolizing gratitude for the harvest season and nature’s abundance. Families prepare traditional foods made from freshly harvested grains, farmers celebrate the success of their crops, and communities come together in harmony.

Regional Celebrations Across India

Makar Sankranti is celebrated with different names and customs across the country. 

Uttarayan in Gujarat

People fly kites, prepare special dishes, and celebrate the spirit of joy and freedom. 

Pongal in Tamil Nadu

A four-day festival that honors the Sun God and celebrates the harvest with traditional dishes and rituals.

Magh Bihu in Assam

A festival of feasting, bonfires, and traditional dances.

Khichdi Parv in North India

Devotees offer khichdi, sesame, and jaggery while performing charity.

Pedda Panduga in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

A cultural celebration filled with traditional foods and community gatherings.

Rituals and Traditions on Makar Sankranti

• Start the day with a bath, ideally during early morning hours.
• Offer Arghya to the Sun during the afternoon, close to the Sankranti moment.
• Perform Surya Puja using water, flowers, sesame, and jaggery.
• Donate food, clothes, and grains during the Punya Kaal for maximum merit.
• Prepare and share festive foods such as tilgul, gajak, pongal, or khichdi.
• Join family and community activities like kite flying or traditional games.

Conclusion

Makar Sankranti is a festival that beautifully blends devotion, cultural heritage, and the joy of harvest. It represents the Sun’s transition toward brighter days, symbolizing hope, positivity, and fresh beginnings.

By observing traditional rituals, offering prayers, and embracing acts of gratitude and charity, devotees invite harmony, abundance, and uplifting energy into their lives.

The festival serves as a reminder to celebrate nature’s gifts, strengthen spiritual connections, and welcome a renewed sense of purpose for the months ahead.