Makar Sankranti is one of the few Hindu festivals based on the solar calendar rather than the lunar calendar, celebrated on January 14th or 15th each year. It marks the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makara), signaling the end of the winter solstice and the beginning of longer, warmer days. As a harvest festival, Makar Sankranti celebrates the bounty of the agricultural season and is observed across India under different names and traditions. In Gujarat, it is famous for the International Kite Festival, where millions of colorful kites fill the sky. In Tamil Nadu, the four-day Pongal celebration includes cooking a dish of the same name from freshly harvested rice. In Punjab, Lohri is celebrated the night before with bonfires and festive singing. Traditional foods associated with Makar Sankranti include til (sesame seeds) and gur (jaggery) preparations, reflecting the season's harvest. The festival also marks an auspicious period for holy dips in sacred rivers, with millions of devotees bathing in the Ganges, Yamuna, and other rivers across India.
Makar Sankranti 2027 falls on Thursday, 14 January 2027. Makar Sankranti is one of the few Hindu festivals based on the solar calendar rather than the lunar calendar, celebrated on January 14th or 15th each year.
There are 61 days (8 weeks, or about 2 months) until Makar Sankranti. That is approximately 1,455 hours or 87,300 minutes from now. Use our date calculator to find the exact duration between any two dates.
There are 8 weeks until Makar Sankranti on Thursday, 14 January 2027. That falls in week 2 of the year. Use our live countdown timer above for a real-time count including hours, minutes, and seconds.