Makar Sankranti 2026: Date, Rituals, and More

• Makar Sankranti 2026 falls on January 14, marking the Sun's transition into Capricorn.
• Rituals include bathing, offerings to Surya, and celebrating local harvest festivals.
• Punya Kaal for rituals is from 3:13 p.m. to 5:45 p.m., with a focus on spiritual growth.

Makar Sankranti 2026: One of the most auspicious spiritual events in the Hindu calendar, Makar Sankranti marks the celestial event of the Sun transitioning into the zodiac sign Capricorn or Makara. This

year, Makar Sankranti will take place on January 14. The transition from harsh winter to warmer and longer days, signal spiritual transformation, renewal and harvest.

On this day, communities come together to celebrate regional harvest festivals like Poush Parbon (or Poush Sankranti), Magh Bihu and Pongal and Uttarayana, among others.

Makar Sankranti 2026: Date, Muhurats

Makar Sankranti will be marked on January 14 in 2026. The Makar Sankranti Punya Kala will last for 2 hours and 32 minutes, while the Makar Sankranti Maha Punya Kala will have a duration of 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Makar Sankranti Muhurat

According to Drik Panchang, Makar Sankranti rituals should be performed during the ‘Punya Kala’ or auspicious time, which will begin at 3:13 p.m. and end at 5:45 p.m on January 14.

Within this period, there is a ‘Maha Punya kala” or highly auspicious time for the performing of the rituals. This period will start at 03:13 p.m, and end at 04:58 p.m.

Makar Sankranti 2026: Mythology Behind The Festival

It is believed that Sankranti was a deity who put an evil force known as Sankarasur to death on this day. The next day, the deity killed a demon called Kinkarasur. Makar Sankranti also marks the end of an unlucky phase which starts around mid-December, also known as Kharvaans in Hindi.

An episode of the Mahabharata mentions how people regarded the day as auspicious earlier as well. After being injured during the Mahabharata War, Bhishma Pitamah stayed alive until the arrival of Uttarayan so that he could go to heaven at an auspicious time. It is believed that dying on this day leads to Moksha, or salvation.

Makar Sankranti 2026: Puja Vidhi & Rituals

Makar Sankranti centres around the worship of the sun god, Surya. Devotees rise before dawn and take a ritual bath. They offer water from a Kalash to Lord Surya, in addition to sesame seeds, red flowers, and rice.

A tilak of Chandan, or sandalwood paste is applied on the idol or picture of Lord Surya. A mixture of rice flour and vermillion can also be applied. Many devotees offer new clothes in red or yellow colours to the deity. Khichdi is given to the deity as an offering.

Makar Sankranti 2026: Mantras

To seek blessings from the divine, devotees chant the Aditya Hridaya Stotram as well as Surya Gayatri Mantra during the rituals. The Surya Beej mantras, “Om Ghrini Suryaya Namah” and “Om Hreem Hreem Suryaya Namah,” are also chanted for seeking positive energy, good health, success and confidence.

Makar Sankranti 2026: Dos And Don’ts For The Festival

1. Many devotees fly kites on this day.
2. It represents the flight of human aspirations and the desire to touch the divine.
3. Another ancient cultural practice on this day is making Til-Gud or sweet dumplings made of sesame and jaggery.
4. Many devotees also perform charity or Daana on this day.
5. They donate warm clothes, khichdi, sesame seeds, jaggery, essential food grains, metal utensils as well as green fodder for cows.
6. Many people also take a bath in a holy river such as the Ganga.
7. There are some things that must be avoided on Makar Sankranti.
8. Do not wear black clothes.
9. Do not consume food without taking a bath.
10. Many people refrain from consuming alcohol, non-vegetarian food or items with onion and garlic on this day.

Makar Sankranti 2026: Significance

Makar Sankranti is a celebration of the Sun’s life-giving power and nature’s bounty; a boon for human life. It’s a time of expressing gratitude to the divine and seeking spiritual growth. For agrarian communities, the festival is a symbol of  joy and abundance after the harsh winter months.

The occasion is also linked to the end of the harvest season and the beginning of a new crop cycle. The rituals and beliefs attached to Makar Sankranti make it one of the most important festivals in India.

Makar Sankranti 2026: Wishes And Messages

Here are some messages and wishes for the occasion of Makar Sankranti: 

• May today bring prosperity, health, and harmony to your life. Happy Makar Sankranti!
• Let’s celebrate the season of harvest with joy and acceptance. Happy Makar Sankranti!
• Soar high like the kites in the sky. Wishing a happy Makar Sankranti to you and your family.
• May all your wishes be fulfilled and your achievements soar high like a kite. Happy Makar Sankranti!
• May the sun shower blessings and success on you this Makar Sankranti.
• Happy Makar Sankranti! Wishing you lots of fun, laughter, and colourful kites.
• May this Makar Sankranti bring joy, abundance and good health into your life.
• May the occasion of Makar Sankranti lead you down a path of endless opportunities and joy.
• This Makar Sankranti, may your happiness soar like the kites in the sky.
• May your life be filled with the blessings of the Sun God and the abundance of happiness this Makar Sankranti.

Makar Sankranti 2026: FAQs

Why Do We Celebrate Makar Sankranti?

Makar Sankranti marks the transition of the Sun into the zodiac sign Capricorn or Makara, signifying the advent of warmer, longer days.

What Are The Auspicious Timings?

The Punya Kaal will last from  3:13 p.m. and end at 5:45 p.m. on January 14.