New Delhi
Makar Sankranti / Pongal – Wednesday, 14 January 2026
Makar Sankranti / Pongal 2026 – date and timings by city
| City | Date | Sankranti time |
|---|---|---|
| New Delhi | Wed, 14 Jan | 03:14 PM |
| Mumbai | Wed, 14 Jan | 03:14 PM |
| Kolkata | Wed, 14 Jan | 03:14 PM |
| Chennai | Wed, 14 Jan | 03:14 PM |
| Bengaluru | Wed, 14 Jan | 03:14 PM |
| Hyderabad | Wed, 14 Jan | 03:14 PM |
| Ahmedabad | Wed, 14 Jan | 03:14 PM |
| Jaipur | Wed, 14 Jan | 03:14 PM |
| Lucknow | Wed, 14 Jan | 03:14 PM |
| Patna | Wed, 14 Jan | 03:14 PM |
| London | Wed, 14 Jan | 09:44 AM |
| New York | Wed, 14 Jan | 04:44 AM |
About Makar Sankranti / Pongal
Makar Sankranti marks the Sun moving into Makara rashi and the start of its northward journey (Uttarayan). It is one of the few Hindu festivals fixed by the Sun, so the date stays close to 14 or 15 January.
People take a dip in the Ganga or another holy river, give til (sesame), gud (jaggery), khichdi and warm clothes in charity, and fly kites. It is Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Uttarayan in Gujarat and Lohri is celebrated the night before in Punjab.
How the date is fixed
Sankranti is the moment the Sun enters a new rashi (sidereal sign). If that moment comes after sunset, the festival and the holy dip are kept the next day.
Story and meaning of Makar Sankranti / Pongal
On Makar Sankranti the Sun enters Makara and begins its northward journey (Uttarayan), a time seen as auspicious in the scriptures. One story says Surya visits the house of his son Shani on this day. Bhishma Pitamah, lying on the bed of arrows, waited for Uttarayan to leave his body. The festival is known by different names: Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Lohri before it in Punjab, Uttarayan in Gujarat and Magh Bihu in Assam.
Makar Sankranti / Pongal puja vidhi
- Take a holy dip in a river, or add Ganga jal to your bath water, at the punya kaal on this page.
- Offer water to Surya Dev, with red flowers and sesame.
- Donate khichdi, til (sesame), jaggery, blankets and ghee.
- Eat til-gud laddoo and khichdi, and fly kites if your region does.
Questions people ask
When is Makar Sankranti / Pongal in 2026?
Makar Sankranti / Pongal is on Wednesday, 14 January 2026 (as per New Delhi).
How is the date of Makar Sankranti / Pongal decided?
Sankranti is the moment the Sun enters a new rashi (sidereal sign). If that moment comes after sunset, the festival and the holy dip are kept the next day.
What is the Punya Kaal of Makar Sankranti?
The time just after the Sun enters Makara, when the holy dip and charity are most meritorious. The page shows the Sankranti moment. If it comes after sunset, the festival is kept the next day.