मकर संक्रांति (Makar Sankranti)

Makar Sankranti 2027 falls on Friday, 15 January for New Delhi, according to Drik Panchang and Prokerala. The Government of India's restricted-holiday list gives Thursday, 14 January, so both dates are shown. It marks the Sun entering Makara (Capricorn) and is dedicated to Surya; it is also celebrated as Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Uttarayan in Gujarat and Rajasthan, and Maghi in Punjab and Haryana.

मकर संक्रांति 2027 नई दिल्ली के लिए शुक्रवार, 15 जनवरी को है, Drik Panchang और Prokerala के अनुसार। भारत सरकार की प्रतिबंधित अवकाश सूची में गुरुवार, 14 जनवरी है, इसलिए दोनों तिथियाँ दी गई हैं। यह सूर्य के मकर राशि में प्रवेश का पर्व है और सूर्य देव को समर्पित है; तमिलनाडु में इसे पोंगल, गुजरात और राजस्थान में उत्तरायण, और पंजाब व हरियाणा में माघी कहते हैं।

Makar Sankranti 2027 New Delhi ke liye Shukravar, 15 January ko hai, Drik Panchang aur Prokerala ke anusaar. Bharat Sarkar ki restricted holiday list mein Guruvar, 14 January hai, isliye dono tithiyan di gayi hain. Yeh Surya ke Makar rashi mein pravesh ka parv hai aur Surya Dev ko samarpit hai; Tamil Nadu mein ise Pongal, Gujarat aur Rajasthan mein Uttarayan, aur Punjab va Haryana mein Maghi kehte hain.

When is Makar Sankranti?

The day the Sun enters Makara (Capricorn), a solar date. When the transit happens after sunset, the day's observances move to the next sunrise.

जिस दिन सूर्य मकर राशि में प्रवेश करता है, एक सौर तिथि। यदि यह संक्रमण सूर्यास्त के बाद हो, तो उस दिन के अनुष्ठान अगले सूर्योदय पर होते हैं।

Dates can differ by a day in other places and traditions. For your city, check a local panchang or your temple calendar.

What to read

Puja outline

  1. Bathe early; many take a holy dip in the Ganga or another river on Makar Sankranti.
    सुबह जल्दी स्नान करें; मकर संक्रांति पर कई लोग गंगा या किसी अन्य नदी में स्नान करते हैं।
  2. Offer water (arghya) to the rising sun from a copper or brass lota.
    तांबे या पीतल के लोटे से उगते सूर्य को जल (अर्घ्य) अर्पित करें।
  3. Offer food to Surya and read the Aditya Hridaya Stotra or the Gayatri Mantra.
    सूर्य देव को नैवेद्य अर्पित करें और आदित्य हृदय स्तोत्र या गायत्री मंत्र का पाठ करें।
  4. Give charity; donating food, sesame and warm clothes is a common custom.
    दान करें; अन्न, तिल और गर्म कपड़ों का दान एक आम परंपरा है।
  5. Do these observances during the day, in the Punya Kaal given by your panchang for your city.
    ये अनुष्ठान दिन में, अपने शहर के पंचांग में दिए पुण्य काल में करें।
  6. Share the festive food of your region, such as til-gud sweets or khichdi.
    अपने क्षेत्र का पर्व भोजन, जैसे तिल-गुड़ की मिठाई या खिचड़ी, बाँटें।

A simple household outline. Customs differ by family, region and tradition; follow your own tradition or priest where it differs.

Samagri for this puja

Practical items for the puja, linked to Valkala product guides.

Browse all pooja essentials

These product guides contain Amazon affiliate links. Valkala may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Read the full affiliate disclosure.

What is Makar Sankranti?

A Sankranti is the Sun's move from one zodiac sign to the next, and there are twelve in a year. Makar Sankranti, the Sun's entry into Makara (Capricorn), is the most widely celebrated. Drik Panchang describes it as dedicated to Lord Surya and especially auspicious for charity, homa and bathing in holy rivers.

Why 14 or 15 January

Makar Sankranti follows the Sun, not the Moon, so it stays close to the same date each year. The exact day depends on the moment of the Sun's transit: Drik Panchang explains that if it happens after sunset, the Punya Kaal observances move to the next day's sunrise. For 2027, Drik Panchang and Prokerala give 15 January for New Delhi, while the Government of India's restricted-holiday list gives 14 January.

Punya Kaal

Drik Panchang explains that the period after the Sankranti moment, called Punya Kaal, is the time for the day's bath, offerings to Surya, charity and shraddha. Punya Kaal differs from city to city, so take it from a panchang set to your location. No clock times are shown here.

One festival, many names

Drik Panchang notes that Makar Sankranti is known as Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Uttarayan in Gujarat and Rajasthan, and Maghi in Haryana and Punjab. The celebrations span several days in some regions, including the Ganga Sagar Mela in Bengal and Makaravilakku in Kerala.

How these dates were checked

The date is for New Delhi and was checked on 29 September 2026. Drik Panchang and Prokerala give 15 January 2027; the Government of India's 2027 restricted-holiday list (DoPT) gives 14 January, shown as an alternate.

Frequently asked questions

When is Makar Sankranti in 2027?

Friday, 15 January 2027 for New Delhi, according to Drik Panchang and Prokerala. The Government of India's restricted-holiday list gives 14 January.

Why is Makar Sankranti on a fixed date?

Because it follows the Sun's entry into Makara, a solar event, rather than a lunar tithi. It usually falls on 14 or 15 January, depending on the time of the transit.

Are Pongal and Makar Sankranti the same?

Pongal is the Tamil Nadu celebration of the same Sankranti. Gujarat and Rajasthan call it Uttarayan, and Punjab and Haryana call it Maghi.

What is done on Makar Sankranti?

Bathing in a holy river, offering arghya and food to Surya, charity and sharing festive food. Drik Panchang advises doing these during the day, in the Punya Kaal for your city.

What should I read on Makar Sankranti?

Aditya Hridaya Stotra and the Gayatri Mantra are complete Surya readings on Valkala.