Makar Sankranti 2026 — Wednesday 14 January
మకర సంక్రాంతి 2026
Pausha Sankramana (Sun enters Makara Rashi) · Sankranti / Pongal / Uttarayan · Punya Kaal 07:13 – 12:31 IST · Maha Punya Kaal 07:13 – 09:24 IST (Hyderabad)
Makar Sankranti 2026 (also called Sankranti / Pongal / Uttarayan) falls on Wednesday, 14 January 2026. Marks the Sun's transit (Sankramana) into Capricorn (Makara Rashi). End of Dakshinayana (southern movement) and start of Uttarayana (northern movement). One of the few solar-calendar festivals in Hinduism. Primary observance: Pre-dawn til-snan (sesame bath), Surya namaskara, til-gud (sesame-jaggery) sweet offering and exchange, gopuja, donation of til + warm clothing + blankets, Bhishma Ashtami (8 days later), bonfires (Bhogi the previous day). Recommended muhurat: Punya Kaal 07:13 – 12:31 IST · Maha Punya Kaal 07:13 – 09:24 IST (Hyderabad).
Makar Sankranti 2026 — Date & Muhurat
| Festival Date | Wednesday, 14 January 2026 |
| Telugu Masa & Tithi | Pausha Sankramana (Sun enters Makara Rashi) |
| Primary Muhurat | Punya Kaal 07:13 – 12:31 IST · Maha Punya Kaal 07:13 – 09:24 IST (Hyderabad) |
| Alternative Names | Sankranti / Pongal / Uttarayan |
All timings computed using Lahiri Ayanamsa Swiss Ephemeris for Hyderabad (17.385°N, 78.486°E). For exact local timings in other cities use our Today's Panchangam tool.
Significance of Makar Sankranti 2026
Marks the Sun's transit (Sankramana) into Capricorn (Makara Rashi). End of Dakshinayana (southern movement) and start of Uttarayana (northern movement). One of the few solar-calendar festivals in Hinduism.
Key Rituals on Makar Sankranti 2026
Pre-dawn til-snan (sesame bath), Surya namaskara, til-gud (sesame-jaggery) sweet offering and exchange, gopuja, donation of til + warm clothing + blankets, Bhishma Ashtami (8 days later), bonfires (Bhogi the previous day).
Makar Sankranti 2026 Puja Samagri Checklist (Shopping List)
Items to procure 1-2 days before Makar Sankranti 2026:
| # | Item |
|---|---|
| 1 | Til (sesame seeds — black + white) |
| 2 | Jaggery (bellam) |
| 3 | Pongal rice + new harvest grain |
| 4 | Surya Yantra/photo |
| 5 | Red flowers + saffron |
| 6 | Ghee lamp + camphor |
| 7 | Coconut + bananas |
| 8 | New clothes (light cotton) |
| 9 | Sugarcane stalks |
| 10 | Til-gud laddoos for distribution |
Regional Variations of Makar Sankranti 2026
4-day Telugu festival: Day 1 Bhogi (bonfire + Bhogi-mantulu), Day 2 Sankranti proper (sun worship + til-gud), Day 3 Kanuma (cattle festival), Day 4 Mukkanuma. Tamil Nadu: Pongal (4 days). Gujarat: Uttarayan kite festival. North India: Lohri (previous evening) + Khichdi. Punjab: Lohri bonfire.