Sarva PanchangSarva Panchang
Sankranti

Makara Sankranti

Also called: Uttarayana, Pongal, Makaravilakku, Magh Bihu, Khichdi

Makara Sankranti is the most famous and widely celebrated of all twelve Sankrantis. It marks the Sun's transit into Capricorn (Makara) and inaugurates Uttarayana, the six-month northward course of the Sun. In Vedic tradition, Uttarayana is regarded as the daytime of the gods, associated with spiritual awakening, light, and liberation. It also marks a major nationwide harvest festival of gratitude for agricultural bounty.

Key facts

Paksha
Ayana Class (Solstice Ingress)
Lunar month
Sun enters Makara (Capricorn) in late Pausha / Magha
Observed on
The day the Sun enters Makara Rashi (~January 14-15)
Deities
Surya Dev, Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva

The story

The Mahabharata narrates that the venerable warrior Bhishma, possessing the boon of choosing the moment of his death (Iccha Mrityu), lay upon his bed of arrows for weeks awaiting the arrival of Makara Sankranti and Uttarayana before releasing his breath to attain liberation. Another lore recounts Surya visiting the house of his son Shani (ruler of Capricorn), signifying reconciliation and harmony.

Practices

  • Bathing in holy rivers, especially at Gangasagar, Prayagraj, Haridwar, and Varanasi
  • Offering Arghya to Surya with black and white sesame seeds (til)
  • Distributing sweets made of sesame and jaggery (tilkut, rewri, laddoos)
  • Cooking and sharing Khichdi (rice, lentils, vegetables, and ghee)
  • Kite flying across Gujarat and Rajasthan to welcome the warming sun

Regional variations

  • Celebrated as Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Makaravilakku at Sabarimala in Kerala, Magh Bihu in Assam, and Suggi in Karnataka

Common questions

Why are sesame seeds and jaggery eaten on Makara Sankranti?
Sesame and jaggery provide essential warmth and nutrition during peak winter, while exchanging them symbolizes speaking sweetly and maintaining warm relationships.

Types of Sankranti