Makar Sankranti 2026: date and timings
Makar Sankranti is on Thursday, 15 January, 2026.
About Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti marks the Sun's entry into the sidereal sign Makara and the start of Uttarayana. It is one of the few Hindu festivals that follow the solar calendar, so it falls on 14 or 15 January. It is Sankranti in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Uttarayan in Gujarat and Magh Bihu in Assam.
How the timing is decided
When the Sun enters Makara after sunset, the festival is observed on the next day. Charity is traditionally given in the punya kaal that follows the moment of entry.
What to do
- Give sesame, jaggery and food in charity
- Prepare Pongal or sesame sweets
- Fly kites, as in Gujarat and the Telugu states
Makar Sankranti 2026 muhurat by city
| City | Date | Timing | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 15 Jan | From sunrise, 5:59 am | 8:08 pm |
| Hyderabad | 14 Jan | From sunrise, 6:49 am | 6:00 pm |
| Delhi | 14 Jan | From sunrise, 7:15 am | 5:45 pm |
| Mumbai | 14 Jan | From sunrise, 7:14 am | 6:20 pm |
| Chennai | 14 Jan | From sunrise, 6:34 am | 6:00 pm |
| Bengaluru | 14 Jan | From sunrise, 6:45 am | 6:11 pm |
| Kolkata | 14 Jan | From sunrise, 6:18 am | 5:12 pm |
| Vijayawada | 14 Jan | From sunrise, 6:39 am | 5:53 pm |
| Visakhapatnam | 14 Jan | From sunrise, 6:30 am | 5:41 pm |
| Pune | 14 Jan | From sunrise, 7:09 am | 6:17 pm |
| Ahmedabad | 14 Jan | From sunrise, 7:22 am | 6:14 pm |
| Jaipur | 14 Jan | From sunrise, 7:17 am | 5:54 pm |
| Lucknow | 14 Jan | From sunrise, 6:56 am | 5:33 pm |
Windows follow the traditional rule for this festival and the tithi timing for each city. Tithi times are approximate, usually within about 30 minutes, so for a vrata or homam confirm the exact muhurat with your purohit.
Also on Thursday, 15 January in Sydney
- Rahu Kalam2:50 pm to 4:36 pm
- Sunrise and sunset5:59 am and 8:08 pm
- Moonrise and moonsetMoonrise 2:20 am, moonset 5:32 pm
- Tithi at sunriseKrishna Dwadashi
- NakshatraAnuradha
Makar Sankranti 2026 Choghadiya in Sydney
Many families, especially in Gujarat and Rajasthan, choose the puja or shopping time on Makar Sankranti from the Choghadiya. Amrit, Shubh and Labh are the good periods; Char also suits travel.
| Time | Choghadiya | Quality |
|---|---|---|
| 5:59 am to 7:45 am | Shubh | Good |
| 7:45 am to 9:31 am | Rog | Avoid |
| 9:31 am to 11:18 am | Udveg | Avoid |
| 11:18 am to 1:04 pm | Char | Weak |
| 1:04 pm to 2:50 pm | Labh | Good |
| 2:50 pm to 4:36 pm | Amrit | Good |
| 4:36 pm to 6:22 pm | Kaal | Avoid |
| 6:22 pm to 8:08 pm | Shubh | Good |
| 8:08 pm to 9:22 pm (night) | Amrit | Good |
| 9:22 pm to 10:36 pm (night) | Char | Weak |
| 10:36 pm to 11:50 pm (night) | Rog | Avoid |
| 11:50 pm to 1:04 am (night) | Kaal | Avoid |
| 1:04 am to 2:18 am (night) | Labh | Good |
| 2:18 am to 3:32 am (night) | Udveg | Avoid |
| 3:32 am to 4:46 am (night) | Shubh | Good |
| 4:46 am to 6:00 am (night) | Amrit | Good |
Questions people ask
When is Makar Sankranti in 2026?
Makar Sankranti is on Thursday, 15 January, 2026.
Why is Makar Sankranti celebrated?
Makar Sankranti marks the Sun's entry into the sidereal sign Makara and the start of Uttarayana. It is one of the few Hindu festivals that follow the solar calendar, so it falls on 14 or 15 January.