Makar Sankranti is an important event, observed each year on January 15th. It is different from other Indian festivals in the way that while the specific dates for those are governed by the Hindu lunar calendar, that for Makar Sankranti is decided by the Gregorian solar calendar. Falling in the Hindu month of Magh, it is primarily an astrological event, wherein the sun moves into the Capricorn (Makara) constellation. It also marks the end of the Hindu winter solstice and the beginning of longer and warmer days. Further, Makar Sankranti holds immense significance for the agrarian community as it is harvest time, when the crops sown in the winter start maturing. Owing to all these reasons, it is a time of celebrations.
Meaning of Makar Sankranti
The festival of Makar Sankranti is the celebration of the sun’s journey from the Southern to the Northern Hemisphere. Makar translates as ‘Capricorn’ and Sankranti means ‘transition’. It is also known as Uttarayana and is considered to be an auspicious day. This day marks the end of the winter solstice and people believe in praying the Sun on this auspicious day. Uttarayana signifies a new beginning and this is why we celebrate Makar Sankranti Festival.
Is Makar Sankranti on the 14th or 15th of January?
Every year, the Makar Sankranti date falls on 14th January, if it’s a non-leap year and on 15th January, when it’s a leap year.
Makar Sankranti 2024 Tithi and Muhurat
Makar Sankranti 2024 date and time is January 15th, Monday and 07:15 AM to 05:46 PM . The muhurta for Makar Sankranti Maha Punya Kala is 07:15 AM to 09:25 AM.
Makar Sankranti History and Significance
15-January-2024 | Makar Sankranti 2024
Makara Sankranti is regarded as a spiritual day and people take a holy dip in rivers, especially Ganga, Godavari, Yamuna, Krishna and Kaveri. The dip is believed to attain absolution of past sins. The event is dedicated to Surya, the sun god; therefore, he is prayed to in the early hours of the day. It also marks the period when auspicious events, such as prayer ceremonies and weddings, can be performed. It is also mentioned in the Mahabharat as the day when Bhishma died by his own will.
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Makar Sankranti Celebrations across India
15-January-2024 | Makar Sankranti Celebrations 2024
While the celebrations are varied across the country, taking a holy dip in rivers and making special sweets from jaggery and sesame seeds are common. Huge fairs are hosted in various cities; the largest and most famous being the Magh Mela held at Sangam in Allahabad.
Another common ritual is married women applying turmeric and vermillion on the foreheads of other married women, and offering each other household items as gifts. Further, five earthen pots with freshly harvested grains, betel nuts and acacia nuts are offered at temples. People exchange the Makar Sankranti wishes by saying ‘Happy Makar Sankranti’ to each other. On the day of the Makar Sankranti festival, people fly kites and make Makar Sankranti rangoli along with other decorations.
Best Places to Observe the Celebrations of Makar Sankranti 2024
Makar Sankranti is celebrated across India with joy. There are regional variations and customs in different states to celebrate Makar Sankranti, like Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Uttarayan in Gujarat and Rajasthan, and Magh Bihu in Assam. Here are some famous places to observe Makar Sankranti 2024:
1. Prayagraj
Prayagraj host the Magh Mela on the day of Makar Sankranti. People take a dip in the holy Sangam of three sacred rivers (Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati). As the sun rises prayers are offered, and pilgrims span out along a ‘bridge of boats’ allowing them to immerse themselves in the water as close as possible to the actual point of the Sangam.
2. Ahmedabad and Jaipur
The festivities in Ahmedabad and Jaipur revolve around the International Kite Festival, which attracts participants from all over the world. Some people choose to fly their kites in peace, while others engage in a competition to cut the string of others.
3. Guwahati
In Assam, it is celebrated as Magh Bihu, with feasting lasting an entire week. On this day, locals build temporary huts of bamboo, thatch and leaves. After eating the food prepared as part of the feast inside, they burn these huts the next day. Ethnic games like buffalo fighting and Tekeli Bhonga are also organised in villages.
4. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka
Tamil Nadu celebrate the occasion as Pongal. In Karnataka, girls exchange plates full of offerings with each other; offerings generally contain sugarcane, red berries and bananas. In certain places within the state, a newlywed woman gifts bananas to other married women for five years, increasing the number of bananas each consecutive year.
Makar Sankranti Wishes
Here are some popular Makar Sankranti wishes:
- This Makar Sankranti, the sun rises with hope, kites fly in the sky with vigour, and the crops are ready to be harvested – all signifying hope, joy and abundance. Happy Makar Sankranti 2024!
- Hope this festive season brings joy to you and your loved ones; and may all your wishes come true this year. Happy Makar Sankranti 2024!
- May this Makar Sankranti 2024 bring warmth, happiness, and positivity your way.
- May this year you get new opportunities to turn all your dreams into reality and all your efforts into tremendous achievements. Happy Makar Sankranti 2024!
- Enjoy this Makar Sankranti to its best and spread the sweetness of love with Rewri, Moongfali, and popcorn. Happy Makar Sankranti 2024!
Other Festivals in India with Holiday Type
| Festivals in India | Day | Date | Holiday Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Mon | 01-Jan | Restricted Holiday |
| Lohri | Sat | 13-Jan | Restricted Holiday |
| Makar Sankranti | Sun | 14-Jan | Restricted Holiday |
| Pongal | Mon | 15-Jan | Restricted Holiday |
| Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti | Wed | 17-Jan | Restricted Holiday |
| Republic Day | Fri | 26-Jan | Gazetted Holiday |
| Losar | Sat | 10-Feb | Restricted Holiday |
| Basant Panchmi | Wed | 14-Feb | Restricted Holiday |
| Guru Ravidas Jayanti | Sat | 24-Feb | Gazetted Holiday |
| Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti | Wed | 6-Mar | Restricted Holiday |
| Mahashivratri | Fri | 8-Mar | Gazetted Holiday |
| Holi | Mon | 25-March | Gazetted Holiday |
| Good Friday | Fri | 29-Mar | Gazetted Holiday |
| Easter Day | Sun | 31-Mar | Restricted Holiday |
| Gudi Padwa | Tue | 9-Apr | Restricted Holiday |
| Eid-ul-Fitr | Wed | 10-Apr | Gazetted Holiday |
| Vaisakhi (Vishu) | Sat | 13-Apr | Restricted Holiday |
| Rama Navami | Wed | 17-Apr | Gazetted Holiday |
| Mahavir Jayanti | Sun | 21-Apr | Gazetted Holiday |
| Rabindra Jayanti | Wed | 8-May | Restricted Holiday |
| Buddha Purnima (Vesak) | Thu | 23-May | Gazetted Holiday |
| Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid) | Mon | 17-Jun | Restricted Holiday |
| Rath Yatra | Sun | 7-Jul | Gazetted Holiday |
| Muharram (Ashura) | Wed | 17-Jul | Gazetted Holiday |
| Independence Day | Thu | 15-Aug | Gazetted Holiday |
| Parsi New Year’s Day (Nauraz) | Thu | 15-Aug | Public Holiday |
| Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi) | Mon | 19-Aug | Restricted Holiday |
| Janmashtami | Mon | 26-Aug | Restricted Holiday |
| Ganesh Chaturthi | Sat | 7-Sep | Restricted Holiday |
| Onam | Sun | 15-Sep | Restricted Holiday |
| Milad-un-Nabi or Id-e- Milad | Mon | 16-Sep | Gazetted Holiday |
| Gandhi Jayanti | Wed | 02-Oct | Gazetted Holiday |
| Dussehra | Sat | 12-Oct | Gazetted Holiday |
| Valmiki Jayanti | Thu | 17-Oct | Restricted Holiday |
| Karva Chauth | Sun | 20-Oct | Gazetted Holiday |
| Dhanteras | Tue | 29-Oct | Restricted Holiday |
| Kali Puja | Thu | 31-Oct | Gazetted Holiday |
| Halloween Day | Thu | 31-Oct | No Holiday |
| Diwali | Fri | 1-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Lakshmi Puja | Fri | 1-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Karnataka Rajyotsava | Fri | 1-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Kerala Piravi | Fri | 1-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Govardhan Puja | Sat | 2-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Bhai Dooj | Sun | 3-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Chhath Puja | Thu | 7-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Guru Nanak Jayanti | Fri | 15-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Christmas | Wed | 25-Dec | Public Holiday |
FAQs
Q. How Makar Sankranti is celebrated?
A. On the day of the Makar Sankranti festival, people take a bath before sunrise, and exchange gifts, sweets, and Makar Sankranti wishes. Makar Sankranti decorations include kite decoration, house decoration, and Makar Sankranti special rangoli.
Q. What to cook on Makar Sankranti 2024?
A. Usually, sweets made with gur (jaggery), sesame seeds, and peanuts are prepared on the Makar Sankranti.
Q. Why we fly kites on Makar Sankranti?
A. It is believed that flying kites represent the significance of Makar Sankranti festival and is a way of thanking God.
Q. Which god is worshipped on Makar Sankranti?
A. The Sun God is worshipped on this auspicious day according to the Makar Sankranti background/history.
Q. When is Makar Sankranti 2024?
A. Makar Sankranti 2024 date is 15th January, Monday.
Q. Why do we wear black on Makar Sankranti?
A. Since Makar Sankranti marks the last day of the solstice, it is thought to be the coldest day of winter. Black as a colour will absorb more heat in comparison to the other colours; therefore keeping you warm on a cold winter day.