Makar Sankranti 2026: Makar Sankranti is one of India’s most vibrant and widely celebrated harvest festivals, marking the sun’s entry into the Capricorn constellation (the beginning of Uttarayan). It signifies the end of winter, the promise of longer days, warmer weather, and a bountiful Rabi crop. It is deeply rooted in gratitude towards the Sun God (Surya), Mother Earth, and nature for prosperity and good harvests.
In 2026, Makar Sankranti falls on Wednesday, January 14th, with the precise Sankranti moment around 3:13 PM IST (according to sources like Drik Panchang). This day is considered highly auspicious for rituals, charity, and new beginnings.
Main Traditions and Significance
This festival is a blend of astronomical, agricultural, spiritual, and social elements. Common practices across India include:
Holy Baths — Many people take a dip in sacred rivers (such as the Ganges, Yamuna, Godavari, or local ghats) at sunrise or during auspicious times to wash away sins and bring positivity. Places like Prayagraj (Sangam) witness huge crowds.
Worship of the Sun God — Offering water, flowers, and prayers to the sun for health and prosperity.
Charity and Donations — Donating food, clothes, sesame seeds, jaggery, blankets, or money to the needy – is believed to balance karma and bring blessings.
Consumption of Seasonal Foods — Emphasis is placed on the new harvest, especially sesame seeds, jaggery, peanuts, rice, and lentils. These foods provide warmth and nourishment during the winter.
Regional variations add to its colorful nature:
Kite Flying (Uttarayan) — This is very popular in Gujarat, parts of Rajasthan, UP, Maharashtra, and other places. The skies fill with colorful kites, often involving competitive “kite fighting” (with manjha string). It symbolizes rising aspirations and happiness. Gujarat’s International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad is world-renowned.
Bonfires — In northern regions (especially Punjab/Haryana, where it’s linked to Lohri the previous evening), people light bonfires, throw sweets/popcorn/peanuts/sesame seeds into the fire, sing folk songs, and perform Bhangra/Gidda around the fire for warmth and purification.
Sweets and Exchange — Sharing sweets sweetens relationships. Popular sweets include:
Tilgul / Til Ladoo (sesame-jaggery ladoos) in Maharashtra — with the phrase “Tilgul ghya, god god bola” (Eat tilgul and speak sweetly).
Chikki / Gajak / Rewari (peanut/sesame brittle) throughout North India.
Khichdi (rice and lentil dish with ghee) in UP, Bihar, and parts of North India — often referred to as “Khichdi Parv.”
Rangoli / Decorations — Homes and courtyards are decorated with colorful rangoli (floor designs), flowers, and sugarcane stalks for welcome and beauty.
Animal Worship — In rural areas, cows and bulls are decorated, fed sweets, and honored for their role in agriculture.
Regional Names and Unique Customs
Gujarat → Uttarayan — Large-scale kite flying, Undhiyu (mixed vegetable dish), and Jalebi.
Tamil Nadu → Pongal — A 4-day festival; making sweet Pongal (rice-jaggery-milk) in earthen pots, Kolam (rangoli), and animal worship.
Punjab/Haryana → Linked to Lohri (evening of January 13th) with bonfires, followed by Sankranti Khichdi.
Maharashtra/Goa → Til Sankranti — Haldi-Kumkum ceremony for women, exchange of Tilgul. Odisha → Makar Sankranti — Makar Chaula (offering of rice, coconut, and jaggery).
Assam → Magh Bihu — Bonfires, feasts, and community games.
Karnataka → Suggi Habba — Kite flying, rangoli, and procession of cows.
In Uttar Pradesh, it is often called Khichdi or simply Sankranti — families prepare khichdi, bathe in holy rivers (if nearby), fly kites, distribute sesame and jaggery sweets, and enjoy community celebrations. Many Punjabi communities also add the atmosphere of the Lohri bonfire the previous evening. Overall, Makar Sankranti celebrates renewal, unity, gratitude, and the victory of light over darkness. It’s a time to forgive, speak kindly, help others, and welcome positivity!
Happy Makar Sankranti (Happy Makar Sankranti messages)
Wishing you a very Happy Makar Sankranti tomorrow — may your kites fly high, your til-gud be sweet, and your year be filled with warmth and prosperity! 🌞🪁🍯
🌞 Traditional Greeting Messages
🪁 By the grace of the Sun God,
May light fill your life,
And every day be full of happiness.
Heartfelt wishes for Makar Sankranti!
🪁 The sweetness of sesame and jaggery,
The flight of kites,
May it bring happiness to your life
And a new identity.
Happy Makar Sankranti!
🪁 On this auspicious festival,
May all sorrows be far away,
And may your life be filled
With happiness and prosperity.
Happy Makar Sankranti!
🌞 Short and Sweet Messages
🪁 Kites of happiness,
Flights of hope.
Happy Makar Sankranti!
🪁 Eat sesame and jaggery,
Speak sweet words.
Happy Makar Sankranti!
🪁 New beginnings, new light.
Happy Makar Sankranti!
🌾 For Family and Friends
🪁 May the festival of Makar Sankranti
Bring happiness, peace, and prosperity
To your life.
Heartiest congratulations! 🪁 May the sun’s rays
fill your life with energy and joy.
Happy Makar Sankranti!
✨ A few poetic messages
🪁 May every courtyard
be fragrant with the sunlight,
May Makar Sankranti bring
a confluence of happiness.
Happy Makar Sankranti!
🪁 May your dreams soar with the kites,
May your words be as sweet as sesame and jaggery.
Many wishes for Makar Sankranti!