Makar Sankranti / Pongal / Sankranti / Uttarayan / Pous Sankranti / Thai Pongal 2026
Wednesday, 14 January 2026Public Holiday
2026 celebration (passed)
Wednesday, 14 January 2026
See 2027 date below.
Names in regional scripts
About Makar Sankranti / Pongal / Sankranti / Uttarayan / Pous Sankranti / Thai Pongal
Sun enters Capricorn. In Tamil Nadu this is the most important festival — Thai Pongal: 4-day harvest festival (Bhogi, Thai Pongal, Maattu Pongal, Kaanum Pongal). Pongal sweet rice is cooked outdoors in clay pots; the boiling-over (pongi) is the auspicious moment. In Gujarat: Uttarayan kite festival. In Maharashtra: tilgul. In Bengal: Pithe-puli and Ganga Sagar Mela.
Tithi: Solar — sun enters Capricorn / Thai 1 · Type: major · Fasting: Not central to this festival
Makar Sankranti / Pongal / Sankranti / Uttarayan / Pous Sankranti / Thai Pongal dates (2025–2029)
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 14 Jan | Tuesday |
| 2026This year | 14 Jan | Wednesday |
| 2027 | 14 Jan | Thursday |
| 2028 | 14 Jan | Friday |
| 2029 | 14 Jan | Sunday |
Observed in
Frequently asked questions
When is Makar Sankranti / Pongal / Sankranti / Uttarayan / Pous Sankranti / Thai Pongal 2026?
Makar Sankranti / Pongal / Sankranti / Uttarayan / Pous Sankranti / Thai Pongal 2026 falls on Wednesday, 14 January 2026. Solar — sun enters Capricorn / Thai 1
What is the significance of Makar Sankranti / Pongal / Sankranti / Uttarayan / Pous Sankranti / Thai Pongal?
Sun enters Capricorn. In Tamil Nadu this is the most important festival — Thai Pongal: 4-day harvest festival (Bhogi, Thai Pongal, Maattu Pongal, Kaanum Pongal). Pongal sweet rice is cooked outdoors in clay pots; the boiling-over (pongi) is the auspicious moment. In Gujarat: Uttarayan kite festival. In Maharashtra: tilgul. In Bengal: Pithe-puli and Ganga Sagar Mela.
Is Makar Sankranti / Pongal / Sankranti / Uttarayan / Pous Sankranti / Thai Pongal a public holiday?
Yes, Makar Sankranti / Pongal / Sankranti / Uttarayan / Pous Sankranti / Thai Pongal is observed as a gazetted public holiday in India. Most government offices, banks, and many private businesses remain closed.
Do you fast on Makar Sankranti / Pongal / Sankranti / Uttarayan / Pous Sankranti / Thai Pongal?
Fasting is not the central ritual of Makar Sankranti / Pongal / Sankranti / Uttarayan / Pous Sankranti / Thai Pongal. The day is celebrated with feasts, prayers, and family gatherings.
When will Makar Sankranti / Pongal / Sankranti / Uttarayan / Pous Sankranti / Thai Pongal be celebrated next year (2027)?
Makar Sankranti / Pongal / Sankranti / Uttarayan / Pous Sankranti / Thai Pongal 2027 will be celebrated on Thursday, 14 January 2027.
📿 Stotras to recite on Makar Sankranti / Pongal / Sankranti / Uttarayan / Pous Sankranti / Thai Pongal
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