Makar Sankranti 2025: Date, Check Its Significance, Holiday Status Across India and Auspicious Time

Makar Sankranti is a very auspicious festival that symbolizes new beginnings and prosperity.

This day is celebrated every year on January 14, marking the sun’s entry into the constellation of Capricorn (Makara Rashi), marking the beginning of longer days and the end of winter.

You are watching: Makar Sankranti 2025: Date, Check Its Significance, Holiday Status Across India and Auspicious Time

This festival has different regional customs across the country, such as kite flying in Gujarat, Pongal festival in Tamil Nadu and Lohri festival in Punjab.

In 2025, Makar Sankranti falls on a Tuesday. Punya Kaal (the auspicious period of the ceremony) is January 14 from 9:03 am to 5:46 pm.

Although Makar Sankranti is widely celebrated, its status as a public holiday varies across India.

In some states, it is a designated holiday, allowing the community to fully participate in the celebrations. However, in other areas it may not be officially recognized as a public holiday.

See more : Optical illusion Eye test: Can you find the Hidden Strawberry within 10 Seconds?

Check Out | Lohri Festival Celebrations 2025: Popular Images, Pictures, Photos to Share with Friends and Family

What is Makar Sankranti? Why celebrate it?

Makar Sankranti is an important Hindu festival celebrated primarily in India and marks the transition of the Sun into the constellation of Capricorn (Makara). This year’s Makar Sankranti will begin on Tuesday, January 14 at 9:03 am. This festival is associated with the end of winter and the beginning of the harvest season.

Significance of Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti symbolizes a time of renewal and gratitude. It marks the end of the winter solstice, as the sun begins to move toward the Tropic of Cancer (Uttarayana), heralding longer days and shorter nights.

For farmers, this festival represents the end of the harvest season and is a time to express gratitude for a good harvest and pray for future prosperity.

Furthermore, this festival is dedicated to the sun god Surya and is celebrated with various rituals including bathing in sacred rivers like the Ganges. These rituals were believed to purify sins and bring spiritual merit.

Makar Sankranti 2025: Dates and Auspicious Times

Makar Sankranti 2025 will be celebrated on January 14 (Tuesday). The festival marks the transition of the Sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makara) and is significant for its association with harvest seasons and cultural celebrations across India.

Auspicious timings for Makar Sankranti Festival 2025

• Punya Kaal (auspicious period): Punya Kaal will last from 9:03 am to 5:46 pm on January 14, making it an ideal time to perform rituals and prayers.
• Sun Enters Capricorn: The Sun will enter Capricorn at 8:41 AM.
• Ganga Snan Muhurat: The best time for bathing is from 8:55 am to 12:51 noon, out of which 8:55 am to 9:29 am is a special auspicious period known as Amrit Kaal which is considered very beneficial for spiritual purposes Practices and rituals.

Details of Pan Chang on January 14, 2025

• Tithi (lunar day): Pratipada ends at 21:56
• Nakshatra (Horoscope): Pushya Ending at 28:57
• Yoga: Vishkumbh until 21:32

Karana:

• First Karana: Pallava till 10:06
• 2nd Karana: Kauvala Ending at 21:56
• Date: Tuesday

important time

• Sunrise: 08:06 AM
• Sunset: 04:13 PM
• Chandrodoy (Moonrise): 04:43 PM
• Chandrast (Moonset): 08:54 AM

Good times and bad times

• Gulika Kaal: 12:09 PM to 01:10 PM (not suitable for auspicious events)
• Yamgand: 10:08 to 11:09 AM (avoid starting new adventures)
• Rahu Kaal: 02:11 pm to 03:12 pm (unlucky time)
• Abhijit Muhurat: 11:53 AM to 12:26 PM (good for important tasks)

Additional notes

See more : Can you find the Heart in this Image within 9 Seconds? Explanation and Solution to the Optical Illusion

This day marks the beginning of the month of Magha in the Hindu calendar.

Makar Sankranti is celebrated on this day and symbolizes the transition of the Sun into Capricorn and the beginning of longer days.

For You | Happy Lohri 2025: 50+ Quotes, Wishes & Greetings About North Indian Harvest Festival

Makar Sankranti holiday status across India

Makar Sankranti, celebrated on January 14, 2025, is a public holiday in various states of India. Holiday status varies by region, reflecting local customs and traditions associated with the holiday.

Holiday status by state

• North India: Many states have declared a holiday on January 14, including Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. This is consistent with the previous extended weekend of the second Saturday and Sunday.
• Telangana: The Telangana government has announced a five-day holiday for schools and government offices from January 13 to January 17 to celebrate Makar Sankranti and other district festivals.
• Tamil Nadu: A six-day holiday has been declared from January 14 to January 19, including the harvest festival and other related celebrations.
• Other states: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Gangtok, Guwahati, Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh and Telangana), Itanagar, Kan States like Phule and Lucknow will have a holiday on January 14 due to Makar Sankranti and related festivals like Pongal and Magh Bihu.

In areas like Delhi-NCR, banks will remain open as January 14 is not considered a holiday. Various festivals celebrated on the day will be closed, including Pongal, Magh Bihu and Makar Sankranti.

Regional Celebrations and Traditions Associated with Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is celebrated across India with a rich variety of local customs and traditions, each adding a unique flavor to the celebrations. Here’s how different states celebrate this important harvest festival:

Regional Celebrations and Traditions

• Gujarat: Famous for its majestic Uttarakhand, Gujarat has now emerged as a vibrant hub for kite flying. The sky filled with colorful kites and communities engaged in friendly competition. The festival also features traditional sweets and local delicacies.
• Maharashtra: Celebrations include the exchange of Tilgul, a sweet made of sesame and jaggery that symbolizes friendship and new beginnings. People also like to fly kites, and cultural performances such as Lavani dance are held in the lively bazaars.
• Tamil Nadu: Here, Makar Sankranti is known as Pongal, a four-day festival dedicated to the Sun God. The first day involves cooking the traditional dish Pongal, made from freshly harvested rice, symbolizing a good harvest. Celebrations include colorful rangoli designs and folk dances.
• Punjab: Celebrated as Lohri, it marks the harvest of rabi crops, especially sugarcane. Large bonfires are lit and people gather to sing folk songs and perform traditional dances such as Bhangra and Gidda. The night before, offerings of sesame and jaggery are thrown into the fire.
• Uttar Pradesh: Makar Sankranti coincides with the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, where millions take bath in the sacred river. The rituals of this day are meant to wash away sins and bring blessings for the coming year.
• Bihar and Jharkhand: This festival is associated with the preparation of Khichdi, a dish made of rice and lentils. Makar Sankranti Melas (fairs) are held and people celebrate with local handicrafts and traditional food.
• West Bengal: Many people gather in the Ganges to take a sacred bath and celebrate with spiritual fervour. People prepare til patti (a sweet made of sesame seeds and jaggery) and offer it to the Sun God while chanting devotional hymns.
• Uttarakhand: Known as Khichdi Sankranti, it involves offering khichdi to the deities and preparing traditional sweets. People go to temples to pray, marking the start of the local crop harvest season.
• Telangana: Unique traditions include performances by Haridasu (devotees of Lord Vishnu) and Gangireddu (decorated bulls) who go from house to house singing devotional songs. Kite flying and the energetic rangoli competition are also popular here.

Source: https://dinhtienhoang.edu.vn
Category: Optical Illusion