Makar Sankranti 2026

Why Do We Celebrate Makar Sankranti?

To be celebrated on 14th of January, Makar Sakranti is the first major festival of the year. However, unlike the other Hindu festivities that are celebrated on the basis of the different positions of the Moon, this festival is calculated as per the Solar calendar, rather than the Lunar one.

Moreover, this harvest festival falls in the month of Magha according to the Lunar calendar, and as per the Gregorian calendar, it falls every year either on the 14th or 15th of January. From this day onwards, the days start to get bigger while nights get shorter, making this festival a solstice festival. With the days and nights being equal on this day, spring begins to make its blooming entry.

Makar Sankranti 2026 Puja Vidhi

As mentioned earlier, Makar Sakranti is dedicated to Lord Surya, but no Hindu puja is complete without offering prayers to Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva, Goddess Laxmi, and Lord Vishnu.

That’s why you must clean the house and temple on this auspicious day, and follow the Puja vidhi mentioned below:

• Fill water in the Panch Patra

• Cleanse the puja chowki with Gangajal

• Cover the chowki with a clean yellow cloth

• Place four heaps of raw rice and place the images or idols of Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva, Goddess Laxmi, and Lord Vishnu on each of them.

• Light an oil lamp and incense stick towards the right

• Invoke Lord Ganesha to begin the puja

• Offer fruits, flowers, paan, supari, janeu, and sweets to the deities

• Chant the mantra of Lord Ganesha, followed by offering prayers to Lord Shiva, Goddess Laxmi, and Lord Vishnu

• Perform an Arghya while facing the Sun

• Offer the Naiveidhya prepared by you to the gods

• Perform aarti for seeking the blessings of each of the gods

• Distribute the Naiveidhya as prasad

Makar Sankranti Rituals

The celebrations for this festival reach their peak with the different rituals performed on this auspicious day. Here are the prominent rituals associated with this festival:

Usage of Jaggery and Sesame Seeds

One of the most prominent rituals performed on the day of Sankranti involves the usage of jaggery and sesame seeds or til. There is a deep religious significance behind using these two for charity.

Donating Sweets

As per Hindu mythology, til is used to appease Lord Shani. Donating sweets made out of jaggery and sesame seeds is said to assuage Lord Shani, according to the story. It is believed that Makar Sakranti sweets made with these two have Satvic properties and hence people actively donate and exchange them.

Gifting Utensils

Utensils are gifted to the married women of the family.

Helping the Poor

Charity remains the order of the day as it is believed to bring fortune to the house. Helping the poor and needy makes Shani dev happy, showering you with his blessings.

Taking a Dip in the Holy Waters

On this day, people also go to take a dip in the holy waters of sacred rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, and Godavari. This is done to ensure that they achieve absolution from their sins and gain salvation.

Cooking Makar Sakranti Food

Furthermore, on this day, delectable dishes or Makar Sankranti food are made from the newly harvested crop of the season. Dishes like khichdi, til laddoos, and rice sweets fill both the heart and stomach on this auspicious day.

What are the Different Names of Makar Sankranti?

The harvest season is celebrated across the nation. So, if you’re wondering about makar sankranti festival is celebrated in which state, it has different names that are used to celebrate the new crop of the season:

• Uttarayan: Gujarat

• Suggi Habba: Karnataka

• Maghi Sankrant: Maharashtra

• Makara Chaula: Odisha

• Magh or Bhugali Bihu: Assam

• Poush Songkranti: Bengal

• Thai Pongal: Tamil Nadu

• Lohri: Punjab

• Shishur Saenkraat: Kashmir

• Khichdi: Uttar Pradesh and Bihar

Religious and Cultural Significance of Makar Sankranti

Makar Sakranti holds a special significance for the farmers who celebrate the day to appreciate the bountiful harvest of the season, honoring their hard work and diligence.

Furthermore, the Sankranti festival has a lot of cultural as well as religious significance. According to the Puranas, this day marks the time when the god of the Sun, Surya, went to visit his son, Lord Shani, who is the ruler of Capricorn or Makar Rashi.

The father-son relationship between the two was soiled by feuds in the past, but on this day, they managed to put their differences aside and resolve their conflict. This festival, therefore, celebrates a strong bond between a son and his father. With the two powerful Gods coming together, a happy and auspicious time is just around the corner!

Additionally, the Sankranti date 2026 also celebrates the day when Lord Vishnu attained victory over the Asuras. According to the legends, Lord Vishnu annihilated the demons, putting an end to the misery caused by them on the Earth. He slew each one of them, burying them under the Mandara Parvat, establishing the victory of justice over sacrilege.

Astrological Significance of Makar Sankranti

Apart from the cultural and astrological significance, Makar Sankranti has different astrological significances as well. Take a look:

It is believed that the Sun god, after traveling for six months, finally enters the northern solstice or Tropic of Cancer. From this day onwards, the god Surya starts bestowing the people on Earth with his blessings.

Because the Sun begins its northward journey at this time, it is also called Uttarayan. 'Sankranti' means movement in Hindi, and thus, at this time, the Sun enters Makar Rashi or the Capricorn zodiac.

According to ancient astrology, it is said that during this period, the Sun enters its enemy's house, i.e., the Shani or Saturn sign. Due to this, the inauspicious impact of the Sun is reduced.

As a consequence, items related to Shani dev are donated during this festival.

The movement of the Sun also denotes a change from darkness to light, celebrating the warm blessings of the Sun god.

Celebrating Makar Sankranti: Honoring Nature and Life

A successful harvest is nearly impossible without the animals working on the farms. Hence, this festival is celebrated with great fervor as it pays tribute to the special bond we share with the other species on our planet, as well as with nature. It celebrates the spirit of cooperation that keeps our ecosystem alive.

Due to the huge significance of this day, it is celebrated in almost every part of our diverse country. People look forward to spending a happy Makar Sankranti 2026 to welcome the approaching spring with a smile on their faces and hope in their hearts!