Sun enters Makara (Capricorn)
Makar Sankranti
The day the Sun enters Makara (Capricorn) and begins its northward journey. Devotees bathe, give daan of til, jaggery and khichdi, and offer arghya to Surya Dev with gratitude for the harvest and the returning light.
Upcoming dates
- Fri, 15 January 2027Tentative
- Sat, 15 January 2028Tentative
Significance
Makar Sankranti follows the Sun, not the Moon, so it falls on almost the same date every year. According to tradition, the Sun's northward movement (Uttarayan) is an auspicious period for charity, japa and new resolutions, and the day is observed across India under many names, from Pongal to Lohri to Khichdi.
In Ujjain, devotees like to take a holy bath at the Kshipra ghats at Ram Ghat and offer arghya to Surya Dev at sunrise. Giving til, jaggery, blankets and food to those in need is considered the heart of the day. Families abroad often ask for an online sankalp so that daan and a Surya-focused pujan are offered in their name.
How it is observed
- Holy bath at dawn, at the Kshipra or at home with a few drops of Ganga jal
- Offering arghya of water, red flowers and a little jaggery to Surya Dev
- Daan of til, jaggery, khichdi ingredients, blankets and food
- Chanting the Aditya Hridayam or the Gayatri mantra
- Preparing and sharing til-gud sweets and khichdi with family
Recommended pujans
Pujans devotees often arrange around this festival.
- Navgraha & Graha ShantiPopular
Navgraha Shanti
Pujan, jaap and havan for the nine planets, for balance and peace
3 to 5 hours- In person
- Online sankalp
- Live video
From₹5,100View details - Online & Special Seva
Online Sankalp Pujan from Ujjain
Your name, your gotra, your wish, offered from Ujjain, wherever you are.
About 1.5 to 2 hours- Online sankalp
- Live video
From₹1,100View details