15/01/2026
Makar Sankranti is a vibrant Hindu festival celebrated across India to mark the transition of the Sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makara). It usually falls on January 14 each year and signifies the end of the winter solstice and the beginning of longer, warmer days.
The festival is known by different names across regions тАФ Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Uttarayan in Gujarat, Lohri in Punjab, and Magh Bihu in Assam.
Common traditions include:
Flying kites, especially in Gujarat and Maharashtra, symbolizing freedom and joy.
Preparing sweets made of sesame (til) and jaggery (gur), representing warmth and togetherness.
Bonfires and dances, particularly in northern India, to celebrate the harvest season.
Taking holy dips in rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, and Godavari, believed to cleanse sins.
ItтАЩs a festival of gratitude, celebrating natureтАЩs bounty and the spirit of community.