Makar Sankranti 2026: Date, Time and Punya Kaal

What Is The Correct Date Of Makar Sankranti 2026

Makar Sankranti is regarded as one of the oldest and most meaningful solar festivals of India. It marks the moment when the Sun enters Makara Rashi, Capricorn and turns from Dakshinayan, the southern path, towards Uttarayan, the northern journey. For this reason it is seen not only as a religious occasion but also as an astronomically important turning point in the year.

Unlike most Hindu festivals that follow the lunar calendar, Makar Sankranti is governed by the solar cycle. This makes its date comparatively stable and it usually falls around 14 January every year. In 2026 there is some confusion between 14 and 15 January, so it becomes important to see clearly which date carries the main observance.

Is Makar Sankranti In 2026 On 14 Or 15 January

The common question in 2026 is whether Makar Sankranti should be observed on 14 January or 15 January. When we follow the accepted rules of timing, it becomes clear that the main Makar Sankranti of 2026 falls on Wednesday, 14 January 2026. This is the date recognised by the major traditional panchang calculations.

In 2026 the Sun enters Makara Rashi at about 03:13 pm in the afternoon. Since this change takes place well within the daytime, before sunset, all major rituals, observances and Sankranti related practices are to be performed on 14 January itself, not on the 15th. In such a case there is no scriptural need to shift the primary festival to the next day.

Why Does Confusion Arise Between 14 And 15 January

The confusion around Makar Sankranti dates is not new. It mainly arises because traditional calendars in different regions use slightly different rules. Some follow sunrise based methods and sometimes shift certain activities to the following day if the Sun’s entry into Makara happens very late at night or after sunset.

In 2026, however the situation is very straightforward. The solar ingress into Makara occurs at 03:13 pm on 14 January, which is during clear daylight hours. Therefore both the Sankranti moment and the following Punya Kaal fall on this same date. There is no astrological reason in this year to move the key rituals to 15 January, so the festival is firmly anchored to 14 January.

Makar Sankranti 2026 Date, Sankranti Time And Punya Kaal Overview

It is helpful to see the main details of Makar Sankranti 2026 in a concise form, so that planning for puja and charity becomes easier.

Detail	Time And Date
Makar Sankranti 2026 Date	Wednesday, 14 January 2026
Solar Ingress Into Makara	Around 03:13 pm
Main Festival Day	14 January 2026
Status Of 15 January	Regular day, no separate main Sankranti observance

From this it is clear that all important acts such as ritual bath, mantra japa, Surya arghya and charity should be scheduled on 14 January. The hours around the Sankranti moment are treated as especially auspicious and are grouped under Punya Kaal.

What Is Punya Kaal And Why Is It Important

Punya Kaal is the auspicious window of time around the Sankranti moment during which spiritual acts are believed to bring greater merit. It begins shortly after the exact entry of the Sun into the new sign and continues for a defined period. Acts like sacred bath, offering water to the Sun, charity of sesame, food and clothes and silent prayer are especially recommended during this interval.

In 2026, since the Sankranti moment is at 03:13 pm, the Punya Kaal begins on the same afternoon of 14 January and continues for a few hours. Devotees usually try to

• Bathe in a river or at home with a conscious sense of purification
• Offer arghya to the Sun with water mixed with til, sesame seeds
• Donate sesame, jaggery, grains, clothes or blankets to those in need
• Spend some time in mantra japa and inward reflection

Because all of this falls naturally on 14 January there is no ritual requirement to move any of it to 15 January in 2026.

What Happens Spiritually On Makar Sankranti

On Makar Sankranti the Sun shifts from one half of its yearly path to another. Symbolically this is the turn from Dakshinayan to Uttarayan. This is read as a move from relative darkness towards greater light, from contraction towards expansion. In traditional thought this change is associated with hope, renewal and a fresh flow of positive energy.

People across India honour this transition in many ways. Common practices include

• Taking a holy bath in rivers or at home to mark inner and outer cleansing
• Offering water mixed with sesame to the Sun after bath
• Preparing traditional dishes such as sesame sweets, khichdi or region specific recipes
• Giving charity in the form of food grains, clothes, blankets or simple meals

The charity done on this day is believed to carry long lasting merit. Many households also use this time to reflect calmly on their plans for the year, to let go of certain habits and to take gentle new resolutions.

How Do Different Regions Celebrate Makar Sankranti

The inner meaning of Makar Sankranti remains constant but its outward form changes beautifully from region to region. The common thread is reverence for the Sun and thanksgiving for the gifts of nature.

• In Gujarat and Rajasthan, the sky fills with kites. Terrace gatherings, music and special foods turn the day into a joyful kite festival.
• In Tamil Nadu, the same period is observed as Pongal, a multi day harvest festival that includes cooking new rice, decorating cattle and performing rituals in the fields.
• In Assam, the festival appears as Magh Bihu, while in West Bengal it is known as Poush Parbon. In each form it marks the close of the main harvest season and the welcome of a new phase.

Though the names differ, all of these celebrations carry the shared feeling of gratitude, community and reverence for sunlight and grain.

Why Makar Sankranti Holds A Special Place

Makar Sankranti is special because it weaves together three important strands of life. It honours astronomy, by respecting the exact movement of the Sun. It deepens spirituality, by encouraging prayer, discipline and charity during a sacred time. It supports agriculture and nature, by reminding us of our dependence on earth, rainfall and sunlight.

In simple terms, Makar Sankranti whispers the assurance that after the heavier, darker phases of time, light and warmth do return. Therefore decisions and inner commitments made on this day are often seen as carrying a special strength and blessing.

Clear Guidance For Makar Sankranti 2026

For the year 2026, the guidance can be stated plainly.

• The main festival date is Wednesday, 14 January 2026.
• The Sun enters Makara Rashi at 03:13 pm.
• Punya Kaal and the key rituals all fall on this same date.
• There is no need to shift the main observance to 15 January.

Anyone planning puja, Snana, Surya arghya, daan or festive cooking can mark 14 January firmly in their calendar and keep their preparations focused on this day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Makar Sankranti in 2026 finally on 14 January or 15 January
For 2026 the main and widely accepted date is Wednesday, 14 January. The solar entry into Makara occurs that afternoon, so the festival is observed on this date.

At what exact time does the Sun enter Makara Rashi in 2026
The Sun enters Makara Rashi on 14 January 2026 at about 03:13 pm. This is considered the Sankranti moment and marks the beginning of the auspicious Punya Kaal.

What are the most recommended practices during Punya Kaal
Bathing with a sense of purification, offering sesame mixed water to the Sun, donating food, sesame, clothes or blankets and engaging in quiet japa and prayer are all regarded as especially fruitful during Punya Kaal.

If local custom prefers 15 January, what should one do
Local traditions can be respected in spirit but in 2026 both the Sankranti and Punya Kaal clearly fall on 14 January. From a timing perspective it is more appropriate to keep the core observances on 14 January.

Which simple steps can make Makar Sankranti 2026 more meaningful
Beginning the day with a sincere bath and Surya arghya, sharing food or warm clothing with someone in need, preparing sesame based sweets at home and keeping the mind calm and positive can make this Sankranti truly enriching.