Makar Sankranti 2026: Festival of Light, Harvest & New Beginnings

What Makes Makar Sankranti Special?

Unlike most Hindu festivals that follow the lunar calendar, Makar Sankranti is celebrated on the same date every year (January 14th) because it's tied to the Sun's movement.

The festival marks the beginning of Uttarayan – a 6-month auspicious period when the Sun moves northward. This symbolizes the shift from darkness to light, ignorance to knowledge, and hardship to prosperity.

It's a harvest festival where farmers thank the Sun God and Mother Earth for a bountiful crop season. More importantly, it brings people together across India – each region celebrating with unique traditions, foods, and joy.

How Different States Celebrate Makar Sankranti

🪁 Gujarat – Uttarayan (Kite Festival)
Sky filled with colorful kites. Rooftop battles with "Kai Po Che!" (kite cut!). Traditional sweets: Chikki and Gur Rewri.

🍬 Maharashtra – Til-Gud Tradition
Exchange sesame-jaggery sweets with sweet words: "Gud ghyaa, aani god-god bola" (Accept sweets, speak sweetly). Promotes forgiveness and love.

🔥 Punjab – Lohri Festival
Bonfires light up the night. Bhangra dance, Makki Ki Roti (corn bread) with Sarson Ka Saag (mustard greens).

🍚 Tamil Nadu – Pongal (4-Day Festival)

Day 1: Bhogi Pongal – Bonfire of old items
Day 2: Surya Pongal – Cook rice dish, worship Sun
Day 3: Mattu Pongal – Worship cattle & bulls
Day 4: Kaanu – Community celebrations

🎨 Andhra Pradesh – Muggu Art

Intricate rangoli designs made with rice flour outside homes. Cattle processions and new clothes distributed to guests.

🧧 Karnataka – Til Laddu Exchanges

Distribute sesame sweets. Newly married women give bananas to other wives (5-year tradition). Decorated cattle parades.

Simple Home Puja in 6 Steps

Timing: Early morning (7:15-9:00 AM) is best.

Step 1: Take a ritual bath and face East
Step 2: Light a ghee lamp (diya) in front of Sun God's image
Step 3: Perform 12 Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar)
Step 4: Chant "Om Suryaya Namah" 108 times
Step 5: Offer til-gud sweets, flowers, and fruits to the Sun
Step 6: Perform Aarti and distribute sweets as blessings (Prashad)

Bonus: Donate food, clothes, or money to the needy during Maha Punya Kaal – this multiplies your blessings.


Why We Eat Til-Gud on Makar Sankranti?
Ingredient :  Sesame (Til), Jaggery (Gud)
Benefit :Provides warmth in winter; rich in calcium & antioxidants
Aids digestion; provides minerals & energy 

Together Symbolize sweetness in relationships & forgiveness
Exchanging these sweets is a way to say: "Let's strengthen our bond and speak only sweet words to each other."

Traditional Foods You Must Try

Nationwide: Til-Gud Laddoo (the iconic sweet)
North India: Gur Rewri, Gajak, Makki Ki Roti
South India: Pongal (rice+lentil dish), Til Laddoo
East India: Pitha, Laru (sesame-jaggery balls)

All these foods are warm in nature – perfect for winter wellness! 🌞