Makar Sankranti is a religious festival in India that celebrates the Sun God. It marks the end to winter as the Sun enters the Capricorn zodiac (Makara) sign. The festival is deeply rooted in Indian tradition and marks the start of the longer days to come.
This day usually falls the same every year, since it is observed according to the lunar calendar.
- Makar Snan 2025 Date and Time: This year, the Makar Sankranti falls on a Tuesday, 14th January.
- Makara Sankranti Punya Kala – From 9:03 am to 5:46 pm.
- Maha Punya Kala– 9:03 to 10:48.
Makar Sankranti 2025: Rituals
People engage in a variety of spiritual activities during this auspicious event, including:
- Holy dip: Take a holy bath.
- Puja : The Sun God is prayed to by devotees to gain his blessings.
- To express their gratitude, people prepare and present special dishes to the Sun God. These include the til-laddoo, khichdi and Pongal.
- Donations It is good to donate money, clothing and food during the Punya Kaal.
- Breaking Fast (Parana). Many people who fast break their fast during Punya Kal Muhurta.
Makar Sankranti Celebrations 2025
- Tamil Nadu Pongal is a harvest festival celebrated in the south of the state. People make sweet dishes to express their gratitude for the Sun God and nature.
- Punjab: Lohri is celebrated by lighting bonfires and singing folk songs.
- Assam: In the state of northeastern India, Bhogali Bihu is a harvest festival that includes bonfires and feasts as well as cultural performances.
- Magha Sankranti is observed in Himachal Pradesh as well as Punjab. Locally, Sankranti and Magha are both called Saaji.
- In states such as Gujarat and Rajasthan there is also a kite-flying festival called Uttarayana, which brings communities together.
Makar Sankranti 2025 Auspicious Timing (Shubh Muhurat)
The date for this year’s Makar-Sankranti is January 14, 2025.
- At 8 :41 AM, the Sun enters Capricorn (Makar Rashi).
- The Hindu Panchang states that the Punya Kaal (auspicious time) will take place from 9:00 AM until 5:46 PM.
- From 9:00 AM until 10:48 PM , the Mahapunya Kaal will take place.
Makar Sankranti Puja Vidhi (Worship Rituals)
- Prepare for Worship : Get up early and do some cleaning. Take a bath near a holy stream. Mix some Gangajal, or holy water in the bathwater if you can’t find one nearby.
- Attire and Fasting If you intend to fast, make a promise. On this day, wearing yellow clothing is considered auspicious.
- After bathing offer water to the Sun god.
- Chanting : Recit the Suryachalisa, and Adityahriday Stotra.
- Aarti and Charity Perform Aarti and donate to those in need, since charity is of special importance on this particular day.
Makar Sankranti Activities
- Prayers at Sunrise and Sunset : Offer water and pray to the Sun God during sunrise and sunset.
- Donations It is considered auspicious for you to give on this day. Donations include items like jaggery, khichdi and sesame (til).
- Tarpan is considered auspicious. This is said to be a way to rid ancestral doshas, and to bring peace to the souls of those who have passed.
- Holy Bath : It is believed that taking a bath in holy rivers such as the Ganges will cleanse your sins and bring you salvation. Sprinkle Gangajal around your house for extra blessings.
Give these items on Makar Sankranti
This day is a time to give back. You can donate items like black sesame seed, khichdi (black lentils), clarified butter, and foods prepared with black lentils.
Makar Sankranti Regional Names
Makar Sankranti signals the beginning of a new season, and also a change in climate. In India, the festival has many names and different traditions.