Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti marks the Sun's entry into Capricorn (Makar rashi) — always on or around 14 January. In 2025, 2026, and 2027 it falls on 14 January. It is the only major Hindu festival tied to the solar calendar rather than the lunar calendar — hence the fixed date.
Makar Sankranti Dates 2025, 2026 & 2027
Significance of Makar Sankranti
Sankranti means "transition" — this day marks the Sun's entry into Capricorn (Makara), ending its southward journey (Dakshinayana) and beginning its northward journey (Uttarayana). Uttarayana is considered auspicious in Vedic astrology — the Bhishma Pitamah of the Mahabharata chose to die on Uttarayana, waiting on a bed of arrows for the Sun to cross Capricorn before releasing his life. Uttarayana is also called Devayana — the path of the gods. Bathing in sacred rivers on this day is said to wash away all sins. The Prayagraj Magh Mela (predecessor to Kumbh Mela) begins on this day.
The Story Behind Makar Sankranti
Bhishma Pitamah had the boon of choosing his moment of death (Iccha Mrityu). During the Mahabharata war, he was felled by Arjuna's arrows and lay on a bed of arrows for 58 days during Dakshinayana. He refused to die during the inauspicious southward journey of the Sun. As soon as Makar Sankranti arrived — marking Uttarayana — he surrendered his life force and attained moksha. The Gita Shloka 8.24 also describes Uttarayana as the time when those who die attain the "bright path" (Deva-Marg) and do not return to rebirth, whereas Dakshinayana leads to the "dark path" (Pitru-Marg) and rebirth.
How to Celebrate Makar Sankranti
- 1Wake at dawn and bathe — ideally in a sacred river (Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, or any river)
- 2Donate til (sesame), jaggery, blankets, and food to the poor (the most meritorious action of the day)
- 3Eat til-gur (sesame + jaggery) laddoo — the traditional Makar Sankranti food in North India
- 4Fly kites — especially in Gujarat (Uttarayan) and Rajasthan, where kite festivals are held
- 5Offer water to the Sun at sunrise while facing east
- 6In South India, prepare Pongal (sweet rice cooked in new clay pots) and offer to the Sun
Traditional Foods
Astrological Significance of Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti is the only Hindu festival calculated purely by the solar calendar. The Sun's entry into Capricorn (Shani's sign) is the beginning of Uttarayana — the 6-month period when the Sun moves northward. In Vedic astrology, Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, and the Sun-Saturn relationship is naturally tense (father-son conflict). Worshipping the Sun on this day and donating sesame to Shani (Saturn) is said to resolve this tension and balance the father-son karma in one's own chart.
“In my experience, the most spiritually productive way to observe Makar Sankranti is to align your personal puja timing with the muhurat window for your city — not just the general date. The Vishnu Dharmottara Purana specifies that offerings made during the peak muhurat carry ten times the merit of those made outside it. I have seen this shift outcomes meaningfully for clients who take the time to calculate it properly.”
— Dr. Meenakshi Sharma, PhD Vedic Astrology · 20+ Years Practice · 10,000+ Consultations
Dr. Meenakshi Sharma
PhD in Vedic Astrology • 20+ Years Experience
Distinguished Vedic astrologer specializing in natal chart analysis, predictive astrology, and Vedic remedial measures. Trusted by thousands for accurate Makar Sankranti interpretations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Calculators
Related Festivals
Kundli & Muhurat Report
Know the exact muhurat window for Makar Sankranti in your city, based on your personal birth chart. Prepared by Dr. Meenakshi Sharma.