Makar Sankranti, one of India’s most cherished festivals, marks the transition of the Sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn, heralding longer days and the end of winter. Celebrated with great enthusiasm across the country, this festival symbolises the onset of the harvest season. On January 14th each year, diverse cultural traditions come alive, from kite flying in Gujarat to the vibrant Lohri bonfires in Punjab and the elaborate Pongal festivities in Tamil Nadu. The Makar Sankranti celebration is a time for gratitude, joy, and community bonding.Ready to dive deeper into the vibrant traditions and celebrations of Makar Sankranti? Keep reading to discover how this festival is celebrated across India and why it holds such a special place in our hearts.Makar Sankranti Date 2025
Date
Day
Festival Name
14 January 2025
Tuesday
Makar Sankranti
Date
Day
Festival Name
14 January 2025
Tuesday
Makar Sankranti
About Makar Sankranti FestivalMakar Sankranti holds immense significance in Indian culture, symbolising the Sun’s transition into Capricorn and marking the end of the winter solstice. This festival is a celebration of new beginnings, harvest, and gratitude. It signifies the start of the harvest season, bringing prosperity and joy to farmers across the country.The festival also highlights the importance of the Sun, considered a deity that nurtures life on Earth. People thank the Sun for bountiful crops and pray for continued blessings. Makar Sankranti fosters a sense of community and togetherness, with families and friends gathering to celebrate through various regional customs, from kite flying and bonfires to traditional dances and feasts. This festival beautifully encapsulates the spirit of unity, gratitude, and cultural richness.List of Sankranti Dates in 2025Sankranti, derived from the Sanskrit word “Sankrānti,” signifies the transition of the Sun into a new zodiac sign. This term is often associated with various harvest festivals celebrated across India. Each festival marks the Sun’s movement into a different constellation and is observed with unique traditions and customs in different regions.Here is the list of Sankranti dates for 2025:
Date
Day
Festival Name
14 January 2025
Tuesday
Makar Sankranti/Pongal
12 February 2025
Wednesday
Kumbha Sankranti
14 March 2025
Friday
Meena Sankranti
14 April 2025
Monday
Mesha Sankranti
15 May 2025
Thursday
Vrishabha Sankranti
14 to 16 June 2025
Saturday to Monday
Mithuna Sankranti
16 July 2025
Wednesday
Karka Sankranti
17 August 2025
Sunday
Simha Sankranti
17 September 2025
Wednesday
Kanya Sankranti
17 October 2025
Friday
Tula Sankranti
16 November 2025
Sunday
Vrischika Sankranti
16 December 2025
Tuesday
Dhanu Sankranti
Date
Day
Festival Name
14 January 2025
Tuesday
Makar Sankranti/Pongal
12 February 2025
Wednesday
Kumbha Sankranti
14 March 2025
Friday
Meena Sankranti
14 April 2025
Monday
Mesha Sankranti
15 May 2025
Thursday
Vrishabha Sankranti
14 to 16 June 2025
Saturday to Monday
Mithuna Sankranti
16 July 2025
Wednesday
Karka Sankranti
17 August 2025
Sunday
Simha Sankranti
17 September 2025
Wednesday
Kanya Sankranti
17 October 2025
Friday
Tula Sankranti
16 November 2025
Sunday
Vrischika Sankranti
16 December 2025
Tuesday
Dhanu Sankranti
Celebrations of Makar Sankranti in India Makar Sankranti is celebrated with diverse traditions across India, each region adding its unique cultural flavour to the festival. Here’s how different states celebrate this vibrant festival:
Tamil Nadu
It is a major festival in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The festival is celebrated for four days, and in Tamil Nadu, the festival is known as Pongal.
Andhra Pradesh
Makar Sankranti is a four-day festival celebrated with great enthusiasm, involving various rituals and community activities.
Punjab
The eve before Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Lohri, featuring bonfires, traditional dances, and the exchange of sweets.
Madhya Pradesh
Makar Sankranti is celebrated by exchanging programmes and sweets, fostering a sense of community and togetherness.
Odisha
People follow the custom of lighting bonfires and eating together, marking the festival with communal harmony and joy.
Assam
The festival is celebrated as Bhogali Bihu, involving feasts, traditional games, and bonfires.
West Bengal
Sankranti is celebrated over three days, starting with the main festival itself. The celebrations include traditional activities such as taking holy dips in rivers and preparing special sweets.
Delhi
In Delhi and Haryana, the festival is known as Sukarat and is celebrated with kite flying and community gatherings.
Gujarat
In Gujarat, the festival is known as Uttarayan, characterised by the vibrant kite-flying tradition that fills the skies.
Maharashtra
In Maharashtra, the festival is celebrated by exchanging sweets made of sesame seeds and jaggery, symbolising unity and warmth.
Significance of Kite Flying During Makar SankrantiKite flying is one of the most iconic traditions of Makar Sankranti, especially in states like Gujarat and Rajasthan. This vibrant activity symbolises the spirit of joy, freedom, and the welcoming of longer days. As the festival marks the Sun’s transition into Capricorn, kite flying is seen as a way to show gratitude to the Sun god, Surya, for a bountiful harvest and to pray for continued blessings. The skies come alive with colourful kites of various shapes and sizes, representing the diversity and unity of India’s cultural tapestry. It also fosters social interaction and community bonding as people gather on rooftops and in open spaces, engaging in friendly competitions and sharing festive foods. The tradition of kite flying beautifully captures the essence of Makar Sankranti, blending fun, spirituality, and cultural heritage.Makar Sankranti Holidays 2026-2030
Date
Day
Festival Name
14 January 2026
Wednesday
Makar Sankranti
15 January 2027
Friday
Makar Sankranti
15 January 2028
Saturday
Makar Sankranti
14 January 2029
Sunday
Makar Sankranti
14 January 2030
Monday
Makar Sankranti
Date
Day
Festival Name
14 January 2026
Wednesday
Makar Sankranti
15 January 2027
Friday
Makar Sankranti
15 January 2028
Saturday
Makar Sankranti
14 January 2029
Sunday
Makar Sankranti
14 January 2030
Monday
Makar Sankranti
FAQs
1: What is Makar Sankranti, and why is it celebrated?
Makar Sankranti is a Hindu festival marking the transition of the Sun into Capricorn, signifying the end of the winter solstice and the beginning of longer days. It celebrates the harvest season and is a time for gratitude, joy, and community bonding. People honour the Sun god, Surya, for providing warmth and ensuring a good harvest.
2: When is Makar Sankranti celebrated in 2025?
Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on 14 January 2025, which falls on a Tuesday.
3: How is Makar Sankranti celebrated in different states of India?
Makar Sankranti is celebrated with unique customs across various states in India:
Tamil Nadu: Known as Pongal, a four-day festival.
Punjab: Celebrated as Lohri on the eve before Makar Sankranti.
Gujarat: Known as Uttarayan, marked by vibrant kite-flying traditions.
Maharashtra: People exchange sweets made of sesame seeds and jaggery.
Assam: Celebrated as Bhogali Bihu with feasts and bonfires.
4: What is the significance of kite flying during Makar Sankranti?
Kite flying during Makar Sankranti symbolises joy, freedom, and the welcoming of longer days. It is a way to show gratitude to the Sun god for a bountiful harvest. The activity fosters social interaction and community bonding as people gather to fly kites and engage in friendly competitions.
5: What are some traditional foods prepared during Makar Sankranti?
Traditional foods prepared during Makar Sankranti include:
Tilgul Ladoo: Sweet balls made of sesame seeds and jaggery, common in Maharashtra.
Pongal: A sweet rice dish prepared in Tamil Nadu.
Patishapta: A Bengali sweet crepe stuffed with coconut and jaggery.
Khichdi: A dish made of rice and lentils, popular in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
