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Makar Sankranti

Fly kites, share sweets, and bask in the warmth of the sun! Makar Sankranti festivities bring joy and prosperity to all. Celebrate this blissful day!

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January 2027

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEJanuary 14

OBSERVED INIndia

CATEGORYReligion

SUBCATEGORYHindu

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Welcome to the lively and colorful celebrations of Makar Sankranti on January 15! This age-old harvest festival is celebrated with great fanfare across the Indian subcontinent. The date marks the arrival of spring, when the sun starts its journey towards the northern hemisphere, making the days longer and warmer. It is a time when people collect the newly-harvested crops, share delectable sweets, and fly kites under the auspiciousness of the radiant sun. Get ready to embrace the warmth of this joyous day and let the spirit of Makar Sankranti fill your hearts with happiness and abundance!

TIMELINE

Makar Sankranti Timeline

Origins of the Festival

Makar Sankranti can be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization when people started celebrating the harvest season.

Connection to Hindu Texts

References to Makar Sankranti are found in Hindu texts like Mahabharata, where it signifies the transition of the sun into the zodiac of Capricorn (Makar).

Ritualistic Celebrations

Rituals, such as taking a holy dip in rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, and Godavari, are documented during Makar Sankranti for purging sins and bringing good luck.

Distribution of Sweets

The tradition of exchanging sweets made of sesame seeds and jaggery becomes widespread, symbolizing the sharing of warmth and affection.

Kite Flying Tradition

Flying kites on this day become a popular activity across India, signifying reaching towards the divine and commemorating the arrival of spring.

Modern Day Celebrations

Today, Makar Sankranti is celebrated with cultural performances, fairs, bonfires, and feasts showcasing the diversity of traditions across different regions.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate Makar Sankranti

Fly vibrant kites

Buy or craft some colorful kites and set them soaring in the sky. This traditional activity in many parts of India brings families and communities together in an atmosphere of fun, laughter and camaraderie.

PREPARE

Prepare traditional sweets

Cook up some traditional Indian sweets such as jaggery or sesame laddus, or savoury dishes like Khichdi. Sharing these delicacies with your loved ones is a significant part of Makar Sankranti.

CREATE

Create rangoli designs

Show your artistic side by creating beautiful rangoli designs at the entrance of your home. Rangoli, a traditional Indian art form, is believed to bring good luck and prosperity to your home.

DECOATE

Decoate your home

Decorate your home with marigold flowers, mango leaves, and sugarcane replicas to set the festive mood. The traditional decor not only enhances the celebration but also invites positivity.

HOST

Host a bonfire

Organise a bonfire with family and friends to welcome the longer, warmer days ahead. It's another traditional practice in certain regions of India, where people gather around the fire, sing festive songs, and exchange sweets.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why Makar Sankranti is Important

It's a Joyous Celebration of Togetherness

Celebrating Makar Sankranti fosters a sense of unity, where people come together to enjoy activities like kite flying, sharing sweets, and singing festive songs around a bonfire. The festival nurtures the spirit of brotherhood, harmony and is a wonderful occasion for reunions with family and friends.

Celebrate the oncoming spring

Makar Sankranti is a festival that marks the arrival of spring! We love the idea of welcoming warmer, longer days with vibrant kites, scrumptious food, and intricate rangoli designs. It's a celebration that brings optimism and cheer into our homes and lives.

Cultural Significance and Traditions

The age-old traditions followed during Makar Sankranti, be it flying kites, sharing sweets, creating rangoli or lighting bonfires, not only add color and excitement to the celebration, but also connect us to our cultural roots. These practices passed down through generations give us a sense of belonging and an opportunity to immerse in our culture in a joyful manner.