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Festival Profile

Makar Sankranti

Harvest festival marking the Sun's northward journey, celebrated with kites, til and sweets.

All festivals

Makar Sankranti marks the Sun's northward journey (Uttarayana) into the sign of Makara (Capricorn). It is a harvest festival of new beginnings, kites and gratitude.

Stories behind the festival

Bhishma and Uttarayana

Dwapara Yuga
In the Mahabharata, Bhishma waited on a bed of arrows and chose to depart from his body during Uttarayana, the auspicious northward course of the Sun, considered the best time to leave the body.
Mahabharata (Bhishma Parva)

Why we celebrate

Makar Sankranti marks the Sun's northward journey (Uttarayana) into the sign of Makara (Capricorn). It is a harvest festival of new beginnings, kites and gratitude.
Solar-calendar tradition; Mahabharata

When

It falls on the transition of the Sun into Makara, around 14 January each year, on a fixed solar date.

Since when it is followed

The sanctity of Uttarayana is ancient; the Mahabharata places Bhishma's departure in it. The solar festival has been observed from the Dwapara era and earlier.
Mahabharata (Dwapara era); astronomical tradition

Who celebrates / for whom

Celebrated across India under many names: Pongal (Tamil Nadu), Uttarayan (Gujarat), Lohri (Punjab), Bihu (Assam), Maghi (Punjab).

Origin

The origin is astronomical (the Sun's transit) combined with harvest thanksgiving. The Mahabharata mentions the sanctity of Uttarayana.
Mahabharata (Uttarayana); solar-calendar tradition

Key deities

The Sun God (Surya); in some regions Lord Vishnu or Goddess Lakshmi (harvest abundance).
Solar tradition; regional harvest worship

How to celebrate

Take a ritual bath, offer water to the Sun, fly kites, prepare til (sesame) and jaggery sweets, and give charity.
Regional smriti / panchang guides

Rituals & offerings

Kite flying, til-gul sweets, donating til and warm clothes, and holy bathing in rivers.
Regional smriti / panchang guides

Key facts

Makar Sankranti is one of the few Hindu festivals fixed by the solar calendar.
Solar-calendar tradition
In Gujarat the kite festival on this day is world-famous.
Regional tradition