Celebrating Makar Sankranti 2026: Auspicious Moments and Rituals
Makar Sankranti Festivities Across India
(January 15, 2026, Thursday – Current Time: 10:50 AM IST)
Today, the auspicious festival of Makar Sankranti is being celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout India! This festival marks the transition of the Sun from Sagittarius to Capricorn (the beginning of Uttarayan), symbolizing the end of winter and the arrival of a new season filled with joy, positive energy, and fresh beginnings. This year, the main celebrations are taking place on January 15, as the Sun entered Capricorn at 9:35 PM on January 14, and the auspicious period is active from this morning.
Key Updates Today (Live Trends)
- Millions of devotees are bathing in sacred rivers (Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, etc.) across the country. Crowds are gathering in Prayagraj, Haridwar, and Nashik.
- Homes are filled with sweets made from sesame and jaggery, khichdi, puri-chana dal, and pongal. Kite flying has begun in many places, especially in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra.
- Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and leaders are extending their greetings. Yogi Adityanath stated: “May everyone be blessed by the Sun God during this auspicious time of Uttarayan.”
- On social media, hashtags #MakarSankranti2026 and #TilGudGhyaGodGodBola are trending as people share sesame and jaggery while saying, “Tilgud ghya, god god bola.”
- Security measures are in place: police and SDRF are deployed at the ghats, and no major incidents have been reported.
- Weather: The sun is shining in most areas, and the cold has lessened – a true start to Uttarayan!
Auspicious Timing and Important Moments (According to Panchang)
- Auspicious bathing and donation time: From 4 AM to 3 PM (with some places observing until 1:39 PM).
- Brahma Muhurat: From 5:27 AM to 6:21 AM – the best time for bathing and offering to the Sun.
- Punya Kaal: From Brahma Muhurat until 7:15-8:00 AM (some sources extend this until noon) – ideal for donations and worship.
- Abhijit Muhurat: From 12:10 PM to 12:52 PM – a good time if morning rituals were missed.
- Significance: With the start of Uttarayan, all auspicious activities (marriages, housewarming, etc.) commence today. Bathing and donations are believed to bring liberation from sins, health, and prosperity. This year also coincides with Shattila Ekadashi, enhancing the benefits of donations.
Brief Overview of Worship Procedures
- Take a bath in the morning (in a river or at home with Ganga water + sesame).
- Wear clean clothes, fill a copper pot with water, add roli, rice, and jaggery, and offer it to the Sun.
- Chant the Sun mantra: “ॐ घृणि सूर्याय नमः” or “ॐ आदित्याय नमः”.
- Worship Vishnu-Lakshmi and offer sesame and jaggery.
- Donate sesame, jaggery, food, blankets, and clothes to those in need – it brings immense merit.
Why is This Sankranti Special?
This festival celebrates the harvest – the joy of the first crop. The combination of sesame and jaggery symbolizes “sweet conversations.” We pray for health and success throughout the year, thanks to the Sun's blessings.