Rapid Fire
Makar Sankranti 2026
- 15 Jan 2026
- 2 min read
Makar Sankranti is a pan-India harvest festival, observed on 14th January, marked by regionally diverse customs and celebrations.
- Solar & Astronomical Basis: Unlike most Hindu festivals, it follows the solar calendar, falling consistently around 14th January, marking the Sun’s northward journey (Uttarayan) into Capricorn (Makara).
- It represents the shift from winter to warmer months, symbolizing the end of inactivity.
- Agrarian & Seasonal Significance: It is primarily a harvest festival, signaling the end of winter and the start of a new agricultural cycle, fostering gratitude for nature’s abundance.
- Regional Diversity: Celebrated under various names and customs:
- Pongal in Tamil Nadu (a four-day festival with kolam decorations).
- Lohri in Punjab (bonfires and community singing).
- Magh Bihu in Assam (feasts, meji bonfires, and community meals).
- Khichdi in Bihar (traditional rice and lentil dish).
- Kite-flying in Gujarat and Rajasthan (e.g., Ahmedabad’s International Kite Festival).
- Social & Unifying Message: Traditions of exchanging sweets (like sesame-jaggery preparations) promote harmony, sharing, and community bonding, reinforcing social goodwill.
| Read More: Harvest Festivals |
