14 जनवरी
Makar Sankranti
Marking the sun's northward journey
See all Surya content →History
Makar Sankranti marks the day the sun enters Capricorn (Makar Rashi), beginning its northward journey (Uttarayana). It is one of the few Hindu festivals based on the solar calendar, so its date remains roughly fixed (14-15 January) each year, unlike most festivals that follow the lunar calendar.
Significance
Uttarayana is considered an auspicious period as days gradually grow longer. The festival also marks the harvest season and is celebrated across India under regional names like Pongal, Bihu, and Lohri.
Puja Vidhi
Bathe in a sacred river in the morning and offer arghya (water) to the Sun. Prepare and share til-gud (sesame-jaggery) sweets, with the spirit of "eat sweet, speak sweet." Charitable giving is considered especially auspicious on this day.
Mantra
ॐ सूर्याय नमः॥
Om Suryaya Namah॥
This simple mantra is dedicated to the Sun god, chanted for health, vitality, and inner radiance.
Muhurat
Bathing and giving charity at sunrise is considered ideal. The exact moment of Sankranti shifts slightly each year — check our Panchang page for it.
Check today's Panchang →Do's & Don'ts
✅ Do
- • Bathe in a sacred river at sunrise
- • Offer arghya (water) to the Sun god
- • Share and eat til-gud (sesame-jaggery) sweets
- • Give food, clothes, or sesame seeds in charity as per your means
❌ Don't
- • Avoid tamasic food on this day
- • Don't turn away someone in need without giving something
- • Avoid using Chinese/glass-coated kite string (manja) — it's dangerous
- • Don't oversleep past sunrise and miss the bathing/charity window