Makar Sankranti 2025

Makar Sankranti is devoted to the God Sun or Surya. The festival also symbolises the starting of a six-month auspicious period for Hindus called the Uttarayana period. It is considered as a significant period for spiritual practices. 

On the occasion of Makara Sankranthi, lakhs of people take a holy dip at the Sangam - the confluence of Ganga and Jamuna. The holy dip is considered to result in forgiveness of past sins. People also submit their prayers to God Surya and thank for their wealth and triumph. As per the Hindu calendar, there are 12 Sankranti in a year. Out of all the Sankranti, Makar Sankranti is considered as the most significant one and is celebrated throughout the country. 

List of Sankranti Dates in 2025

Celebrations of Makar Sankranti in India 

1. Tamil Nadu: It is a major festival in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The festival is celebrated for four days, In Tamil Nadu the festival is known as Pongal.
2. Andhra Pradesh: Makar Sankranti is a four-day festival. 
3. Punjab: The eve before Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Lohri. 
4. Madhya Pradesh: Makar Sankranti is celebrated by exchanging programs and sweets. 

1. Odisha: People follow the custom of lighting bonfires and eating all together. 
2. Assam: The festival is celebrated as Bhogali Bihu. 
3. West Bengal: Sankranti is a three-day affair that starts at Sankranti. 
4. Delhi:  In Delhi and Haryana, the festival is known as Sukarat.
5. Gujarat: In Gujarat the festival is known as Uttarayan.
6. Maharashtra: In Maharashtra the festival is known as Makar Sankranti.

How is Makar Sankranti Celebrated in Different Indian States?

During the festival in Assam, youngsters create makeshift huts from leaves and bamboos. They enjoy the feast and burn the huts the next morning. People play traditional games. In Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, the festival is celebrated with khichadi, a mixture of lentil and rice. In Madhya Pradesh, married women are invited to homes for Haldi-Kumkum. In Karnataka, it is the biggest festival. 

In Hinduism, the Sun God, known as Surya Deva, is revered, making Makar Sankranti a highly significant day in the Hindu calendar dedicated to worshipping this deity. While there are a total of 12 Sankrantis in the calendar year, Makar Sankranti holds a paramount position and is marked by widespread spiritual practices and nationwide celebrations. Devotees traditionally engage in a ritualistic bath in the sacred waters of rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, and others. This act symbolises the purification of their souls, the removal of sins, and the ushering in of prosperity. In addition to honouring the Sun God, people also pay respects to livestock and cattle during this occasion. Acts of charity, such as donating food and clothing to the less fortunate, are common expressions of devotion.  

A prevalent belief in Hinduism states that those who pass away on Sankranti attain a special fate – they are believed to go directly to Heaven instead of undergoing the cycle of reincarnation. In some regions, Sankranti is observed as Uttarayana, which is derived from the words 'Uttara', signifying north, and 'Ayana', indicating a period of six months. Uttarayana marks the day of the Winter Solstice when the Sun starts its northward journey. In many other parts of India, the essence of Sankranti is closely associated with the Harvest Festival, as the harvest season aligns with this time of the year.  

Food plays a significant role in Indian festivals, and during Sankranti, til (sesame) and gud (jaggery) laddoos are immensely popular as traditional sweets. Additionally, every twelve years, alongside Makar Sankranti, people gather for the Kumbh Mela, renowned as one of the world's largest mass pilgrimages. The upcoming Kumbh Mela is scheduled to take place in January 2025. 

Significance of Kite Flying During Makar Sankranti 

One of the most vibrant scenes witnessed during the Makar Sankranti festival is the spectacle of colourful kites soaring in the winter morning sky. Kite-flying competitions are also organised in various places. Many regard this enjoyable activity as a form of gratitude toward the Gods, as kites can ascend high into the sky, reaching what some perceive as the heavens. 

Wearing Black Attire on Sankranti 

The colour black is often associated with Makar Sankranti despite its general reputation as an inauspicious colour for festivals and religious observances. However, the connection between blacks and Sankranti is more rooted in customary scientific beliefs than religious ones. Black is recognised as an absorber of the Sun's rays, and since Makar Sankranti marks the commencement of the Sun's journey toward the Northern Hemisphere, people believe that wearing black attire helps them absorb the Sun's positive energy while also providing warmth during the chilly winter celebration days. Although a fading tradition in contemporary times, you may still come across a woman or two donning black sarees of a specific design known as Chandrakala during Sankranti. 

Makar Sankranti Holidays 2026-2030

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