Every year as winter begins to retreat and the days gradually start growing longer, Indians across the country look forward to the vibrant festival of Makar Sankranti—a celebration of sunlight, harvest and renewal. In 2026, this festival takes on special significance as the Sun transitions into the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makara), marking an auspicious shift in the cosmic cycle. Here’s everything you should know: the date, muhurat (auspicious time), and the deeper meaning behind the festival.
Makar Sankranti 2026 Date & Shubh Muhurat
According to the panchāng details on DrikPanchang:
- Observation date: Wednesday, 14 January 2026.
- Sankranti moment: Sun enters Makara Rashi at 03:13 PM (15:13 hrs) on 14 January 2026 (for New Delhi / NCT region).
- The Punya Kaal (auspicious window for puja, charity, holy bath) begins at the same moment and continues for a duration of approximately a few hours.
- As per the same source: Transit’s sign, nakshatra and other astrological details for Makar Sankranti 2026 are provided, reinforcing the date and timing.
- Please note: Local muhurat timings may vary by city, so you may check your regional panchāng for exact times.
Significance of Makar Sankranti
The festival is rich in meaning—both cosmic and cultural.
– Astronomical & Spiritual
Makar Sankranti marks the moment when the Sun enters the Capricorn (Makara) sign in the sidereal zodiac, symbolising the end of the “southward” journey of the Sun and the beginning of its northward (Uttarāyaṇa) course. This transition is interpreted as a shift from darkness to light, from contraction to expansion—making it a potent time for new beginnings.
– Agricultural & Social
Being a solar‐festival (unlike many which follow the lunar calendar), it often falls on 14 January and is widely celebrated as a harvest festival. Farmers thank nature and the Sun for the crops, and communities join together in festivities, sharing sweet treats and flying kites, especially in parts of India like Gujarat and Rajasthan. Regional names vary: in Tamil Nadu it is celebrated as Pongal; in Assam as Magh Bihu; in Gujarat as Uttarāyaṇa.
– Rituals & Customs
- Taking a holy dip in rivers (such as the Ganga) and offering prayers to the Sun God are considered highly meritorious.
- Exchanging sweets made of sesame (til) and jaggery (gur) symbolise warmth, togetherness and the sweetness of relationships.
- Kite flying, feasting and cattle worship (in agrarian communities) are common festive practices, reflecting gratitude for nature’s bounty.
- The moment of Sun’s transit (the Sankranti Moment) is considered a key symbol of time’s unfolding and humanity’s connection to cosmic rhythms.
How to Observe on 14 January 2026
- Plan your puja during the Punya Kaal after 3:13 PM on 14 January (for New Delhi region).
- Begin with a Surya Arghya—offering water to the rising Sun (or soon after Sun’s transit) while chanting gratitude.
- Share sesame-jaggery sweets with family, friends or neighbours, reinforcing the spirit of community and sweet words.
- If feasible, a short dip in a sacred river, or even a symbolic water offering at home or in a clean water body, is recommended.
- Use the festival moment to reflect: The Sun’s northward journey signals hope, growth and the turning of seasons. Use it as an inner metaphor—for letting go of the old and embracing the new.
Why This Festival Matters
In an era of fast change and digital distraction, Makar Sankranti offers a moment of grounding—connecting us with nature’s rhythms and our cultural roots. The precise timing given for 2026 provides us a window to align our inner lives with cosmic order. Whether you are in Delhi or any other part of India, using the festival as a moment of pause, togetherness and gratitude can bring depth to what otherwise might just be another holiday.
May this Makar Sankranti bring you warmth, light and prosperity—rooted in tradition, yet alive with hope for the future. Happy Makar Sankranti 2026! 🎉