Makar Sankranti
Also known as: Lohri, Uttarayan, Maghi
Dates follow the Indian calendar (IST). If you’re outside India, your local temple may observe a day earlier or later for tithi-based festivals.
Makar Sankranti marks the sun's entry into Capricorn and the start of its northward journey, bringing longer, warmer days. It is a happy harvest festival when people fly kites, take holy dips in rivers, and share sweets made of sesame and jaggery. In Tamil Nadu the same sun transit is celebrated as Thai Pongal, the heart of the four-day Pongal festival — see its own entries.
For your location
Timing Advisory
This festival follows sunrise timings. Local observance may differ by region and timezone. Please check with your local temple or trusted Panchang for exact muhurat.
📋 How to Observe
- 1
Offer water to the rising sun with gratitude
- 2
Share tilgul (sesame-jaggery sweets) with family and friends
- 3
Fly kites and enjoy the winter sunshine
- 4
Give food or warm clothes to those in need
🕉️ Sacred Mantras
ॐ सूर्याय नमः
Meaning: Salutations to the Sun, the source of all energy and life
Pandit ji's Message
Dear devotee, Makar Sankranti is a time for spiritual reflection and community celebration. Whether you're observing traditional rituals or adapting them to your modern life, remember that the sincerity of your devotion matters more than elaborate ceremonies. May this festival bring divine blessings to you and your family.
🙏 - Pandit Bala Krishan
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