Festival guide
Makar Sankranti / Pongal
Makar Sankranti marks the Sun’s entry into sidereal Capricorn (Makara) and the start of its northward journey, Uttarayana. It is one of the few Hindu festivals fixed by the Sun rather than the Moon, which is why it falls on 14 or 15 January almost every year.
Makar Sankranti / Pongal dates
| Year | Date | Sun’s ingress |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Wednesday 14 January | Sun enters Capricorn 14 Jan, 15:07 |
| 2027 | Friday 15 January | Sun enters Capricorn 14 Jan, 21:10 |
Dates for New Delhi, India; times in Asia/Kolkata.
Also known as: Pongal (Tamil Nadu), Uttarayan (Gujarat), Lohri eve (Punjab), Bihu (Assam), Khichdi (UP and Bihar).
Story and significance
The Mahabharata tells how Bhishma, lying on his bed of arrows, waited for Uttarayana before leaving his body, because the Sun’s northern course was held to be the most auspicious time. Sankranti is also a harvest thanksgiving for the winter crop.
How Makar Sankranti / Pongal is celebrated
- A holy bath at sunrise, ideally in a river such as the Ganga; the Kumbh and Magh melas draw millions on this day
- Offering water (arghya) to the Sun and giving charity — sesame, jaggery, grain, blankets
- Sweets of sesame and jaggery (til-gul, til laddoo), with the Marathi saying “eat til-gul and speak sweetly”
- Kite flying, especially in Gujarat and Rajasthan
- In Tamil Nadu, Pongal is cooked in a new pot and allowed to boil over as a sign of abundance
Customs vary between regions, communities and families. Please follow the guidance of your family priest or local temple for rituals and timings.
Frequently asked questions
When is Makar Sankranti / Pongal 2026?
Makar Sankranti / Pongal 2026 falls on Wednesday, 14 January 2026, for New Delhi. Choose your city above to see the date for your location.
When is Makar Sankranti / Pongal 2027?
Makar Sankranti / Pongal 2027 falls on Friday, 15 January 2027, for New Delhi. Choose your city above to see the date for your location.
Why does the date of Makar Sankranti / Pongal change every year?
Makar Sankranti / Pongal follows the Sun, so it falls on almost the same Gregorian date each year; it can shift by a day because of leap years and the exact time of the solar ingress.