Makar Sankranti 2027

Makar Sankranti is an ancient Hindu solar festival celebrated across India to mark the Sun's transit into the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makara). Falling on or around 14 January each year, it signifies the end of winter and the arrival of longer, warmer days.

Good to know

Makar Sankranti is a regional public holiday in many Indian states, during which schools, colleges, and government offices remain closed. Bank closures vary by state according to Reserve Bank of India notifications under the Negotiable Instruments Act, though digital banking services remain functional nationwide.

History

Unlike the majority of Indian festivals governed by the lunar cycle, Makar Sankranti follows the solar calendar. Ancient Vedic astronomical texts identify this transition as the beginning of Uttarayan, the Sun's six-month northward journey across the sky. In Hindu cosmology, Uttarayan represents a movement from darkness to light and from winter stillness to agricultural rebirth, making it a particularly auspicious period for spiritual observances.

The festival's cultural roots connect deeply with epic Indian traditions and agricultural gratitude. In the Mahabharata, the patriarch Bhishma famously chose to wait for the arrival of Uttarayan before leaving his mortal body. Over centuries, this astronomical event became tightly woven with the winter harvest, as agrarian communities across the subcontinent offered their first yields of wheat, sugarcane, and sesame to Surya, the solar deity.

How it is observed

Celebrations begin at dawn with ritual dips in holy rivers such as the Ganga, Yamuna, and Godavari, followed by prayers to the Sun god. Families exchange festive treats made of sesame seeds (til) and jaggery (gud), a tradition meant to foster sweet relationships and nourish the body during cold weather. Rooftops in states like Gujarat and Maharashtra fill with vibrant kite-flying battles during Uttarayan, while in southern India, the occasion coincides with Pongal celebrations featuring newly harvested rice cooked in decorated clay pots.

Facts

• It is one of the very few traditional Indian festivals observed on a fixed solar date, almost always falling on 14 January, or 15 January in leap years.
• Sesame seeds and jaggery are eaten traditionally because sesame generates body heat in winter while jaggery supplies essential minerals and energy.
• The festival goes by distinct regional names across India, such as Uttarayan in Gujarat, Magh Bihu in Assam, Sukarat in Bihar, and Pongal in Tamil Nadu.
• The city of Ahmedabad hosts an International Kite Festival during Uttarayan, drawing kite makers and flyers from dozens of countries.

Questions about Makar Sankranti

Why does Makar Sankranti fall on a fixed date unlike other Hindu festivals?

Most Hindu festivals follow the lunar calendar, which shifts dates annually relative to the Gregorian calendar. Makar Sankranti tracks the solar cycle, specifically the exact day the Sun enters the constellation of Capricorn.

What is the significance of flying kites on Makar Sankranti?

Kite flying originated partly as a health practice to encourage people to spend time outdoors in the morning sunlight, soaking up Vitamin D after cold winter months.

What does the phrase 'Til-gul ghya, god god bola' mean?

This popular Marathi greeting exchanged during the festival translates to 'Accept these sesame sweets and speak sweet words,' encouraging goodwill and friendship.

Source: DoPT O.M. dated 03.07.2025 (2026) and 16.07.2026 (2027)