Makar Sankranti 2026 Date, Time, Punya Kaal & Celebration Guide

Makar Sankranti 2026 is one of the most auspicious solar festivals in the Hindu calendar, marking the Sun’s transition into the Capricorn (Makara) zodiac sign. This annual event celebrates the arrival of longer days, the harvest season, and new beginnings across India and beyond.

📅 Makar Sankranti 2026: Exact Date & Day

In 2026, Makar Sankranti falls on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. This date is based on the solar transit of the Sun into Makara (Capricorn), a fixed astronomical event that gives this festival its name and significance.

🕒 Makar Sankranti Timing & Punya Kaal

The precise moment of Sankranti (when the Sun enters Capricorn) this year occurs at 3:13 PM on January 14, 2026 in New Delhi.

The festival also features a sacred period known as Punya Kaal — an auspicious time for rituals, holy baths, prayers, charity, and other spiritual activities. For New Delhi, the Punya Kaal lasts from 3:13 PM to 5:45 PM, giving devotees over two hours of highly favorable time for worship.

🌞 What Makar Sankranti Symbolizes

This harvest festival celebrates several key themes:

• The Sun’s northward journey (Uttarayana), symbolizing warmth, hope, and renewal.
• The end of the winter solstice and the gradual lengthening of days.
• A time of thanksgiving for a successful harvest and prosperous crops.
• An opportunity for spiritual reflection, charity, and cleansing (through rituals like holy dips and offerings).

The festival’s timing in mid-January also marks a transition from the coldest days of winter, encouraging social festivities and community gatherings.

🎉 Regional Celebrations Across India

While the core festival is the same, Makar Sankranti is known by many names and celebrated differently depending on the region:

• Pongal in Tamil Nadu — a multi-day harvest celebration.
• Uttarayana in Gujarat and Rajasthan — famous for kite flying and feasts.
• Maghi in Punjab and Haryana — marked with bonfires and community foods.
• Other regional names and customs highlighting the diversity of Indian culture.

🧘 Significance of Rituals & Traditions

On Makar Sankranti day, devotees often perform:

• Holy dips in rivers like the Ganga to purify the body and soul.
• Offerings to Lord Surya (the Sun God) for blessings and prosperity.
• Charity (daan), feasting with seasonal foods like sesame seeds and jaggery, and social celebrations with family and community.

These practices are believed to bring spiritual merit, good fortune, and harmony in the coming year.

📌 Quick Essentials at a Glance

• Date: January 14, 2026 (Wednesday)
• Sankranti Moment: 3:13 PM
• Punya Kaal: 3:13 PM to 5:45 PM
• Significance: Sun’s entry into Capricorn, start of Uttarayana, harvest festival

Makar Sankranti remains one of the most widely observed and culturally rich festivals in India, blending astronomical precision with deep spiritual and agricultural roots.