Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti (Sankramana, Pongal, Uttarayan) 2026 The Makar Sankranti festival, unlike other Hindu festivals, is not dependent on the tithi (position of the moon) but on position of the sun. On this day, the sun enters the zodiac sign of Capricorn. Usually, Makar Sankranti is celebrated on 14th January. But, to compensate for the difference that occurs due to the revolution around the sun, sometimes sankranti gets pushed ahead by one day. In 2026, Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on 14th January. Sankranti is considered as a Deity. According to a legend Deity Sankranti killed a demon named Sankarasur. Kinkrant is the day after Sankrant. On this day a Deity killed the demon Kinkarasur. This is the biggest festival of the Sun God, the bestower of Life. This day is most important to also worship Shri Vishnu and Goddess Mahalakshmi. Makar Sankranti is celebrated to shed differences and increase love Importance of Makar Sankranti Uttarayan Dakshinayan Makar Sankranti The northward movement (Uttarayan) of the sun begins on this day. The period from Karka sankrant (the passage of the sun into the zodiac sign of Cancer) till Makar Sankranti is called the Dakshinayan. A person who dies in the Dakshinayan period has a greater chance of going to Yamalok (southward region), than one who dies during Uttarayan (northward revolution).