Makar Sankranti 2026: Wednesday, 14 January 2026
Makar Sankranti in 2026 falls on Wednesday, 14 January 2026. Computed for Delhi (IST) from the drik-ganit panchang, by the rule: classical festival table — tithi prevailing at local noon. Abhijit Muhurat runs 12:09 PM – 12:51 PM IST.
Shubh muhurat windows
The punya kaal (merit window) for bathing and charity centres on the sankranti instant. Any shubh work begun on Sankranti is traditionally strong — the Abhijit Muhurat above is the day's best general window.
14 January 2026 (Wednesday)
| Window | Time (IST) | City |
|---|---|---|
| Abhijit Muhurat (shubh for all works) | 12:09 PM – 12:51 PM | Delhi |
The Abhijit Muhurat is the universally auspicious midday window (what it is and why). Windows are computed for Delhi; your city's exact span shifts with local sunrise — check the city panchang or the Bela app.
What does Makar Sankranti celebrate?
Makar Sankranti marks Surya's entry into Makara rashi (Capricorn) and the start of Uttarayana, the sun's northward course. It is a day of holy bathing, sesame-and-jaggery sweets, kite flying and charity — one of the few Hindu festivals fixed by the solar, not lunar, calendar.
Frequently asked questions
When is Makar Sankranti in 2026?
Makar Sankranti in 2026 falls on Wednesday, 14 January 2026. The date is computed for Delhi from the rule: classical festival table — tithi prevailing at local noon.
What does Makar Sankranti celebrate?
Makar Sankranti marks Surya's entry into Makara rashi (Capricorn) and the start of Uttarayana, the sun's northward course. It is a day of holy bathing, sesame-and-jaggery sweets, kite flying and charity — one of the few Hindu festivals fixed by the solar, not lunar, calendar.
What is the shubh muhurat on Makar Sankranti 2026?
The computed windows for 14 January 2026 (Delhi): Abhijit Muhurat — 12:09 PM to 12:51 PM IST. The punya kaal (merit window) for bathing and charity centres on the sankranti instant. Any shubh work begun on Sankranti is traditionally strong — the Abhijit Muhurat above is the day's best general window.
Does the Makar Sankranti date change from city to city?
Yes, it can. Makar Sankranti is fixed by a tithi prevailing at a specific moment — sunrise, noon, sunset or midnight — and that moment is local. Moving west or east across longitudes can push the prevailing tithi across a civil-date boundary, so Mumbai, Kolkata or New York can observe a day apart from Delhi. Smarta and Vaishnava traditions also differ on some fasting days. The date above follows the popular North-Indian convention for Delhi; the Bela app recomputes for your exact location.
When is Makar Sankranti in 2027?
Makar Sankranti in 2027 falls on Friday, 15 January 2027. Full windows and notes are on the Makar Sankranti 2027 page, linked below.