Makar Sankranti 2027
The sun turns north, and the sky fills with kites.
Countdown to Sankranti 2027
Dates
When is Makar Sankranti?
Makar Sankranti 2027 falls on Thursday, 14 January 2027 (expected; it can move by a day).
The central government holiday list gives 14 Jan; because the solar transit falls late in the day, some almanacs observe the punya kaal on 15 Jan.
Date checked against staffnews.in
| Year | Dates | Length | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 14 January 2026Wed | 1 day | Past |
| 2027 | 14 January 2027Thu | 1 day | Expected |
See every festival by date in the 2026 festival calendar and 2027 festival calendar.
The story
What it is, and why it matters
- Type
- Nature & Season
- Tradition
- Hindu
- Where
- Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- Crowd
- Celebrated across India under many names
- UNESCO
- Not inscribed
In Ahmedabad's old city, families spend the day on their rooftops. The sky is crowded with paper kites, and every few minutes a cry goes up from somewhere as a line is cut.
Makar Sankranti marks the sun's entry into the sign of Makara (Capricorn) in the sidereal zodiac. Because it follows the solar rather than the lunar calendar, it falls on 14 or 15 January almost every year. It is a harvest festival with many regional names — Uttarayan in Gujarat, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Maghi in Punjab, Bhogali Bihu in Assam.
In Gujarat the day is Uttarayan, and kite flying is the main event. People spend the days before preparing manja, the coated string used to cut rival lines, and the rooftops of Ahmedabad's pols stay busy from morning into the night, when paper lanterns are flown. Elsewhere, pilgrims bathe at the confluence at Prayagraj and at Gangasagar, where the Ganga meets the sea.
Culture
Traditions, food and music of Sankranti
Traditions
What actually happens
- Kite flying — rooftop contests to cut other kites' strings, especially in Gujarat.
- Holy dip — bathing at sacred rivers such as the Ganga at Prayagraj and Gangasagar.
- Til-gul — in Maharashtra, sesame-jaggery sweets are exchanged with the words 'eat sweet, speak sweet'.
- Daan — giving food, sesame, blankets or grain to those in need.
Food
The table, widened
- Undhiyu — a slow-cooked winter vegetable dish eaten on Gujarat's rooftops, with jalebi on the side.
- Til laddoo, chikki and, in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, khichdi with curd and flattened rice.
Music
Sound of the crowd
Rooftop speakers play film songs all day in Gujarat, and the soundtrack is punctuated by shouts of 'kai po che' when a kite is cut. In villages, folk songs welcome the new harvest and the lengthening days.
Religion
Why this date
The day begins Uttarayana, the sun's six-month northward course, considered an auspicious period. Surya, the sun, is worshipped, and charity and bathing on this day are believed to bring particular merit. The Mahabharata tells that the warrior Bhishma waited for Uttarayana before giving up his life.
History
How it survived
Sankranti is one of the few Hindu festivals fixed to the solar year, and the slow precession of the equinoxes has moved it gradually later over the centuries. Gujarat's tourism department has hosted an International Kite Festival around Uttarayan since 1989, drawing kite flyers from many countries.
History
How it got here
Sankranti is one of the few Hindu festivals fixed to the solar year, and the slow precession of the equinoxes has moved it gradually later over the centuries. Gujarat's tourism department has hosted an International Kite Festival around Uttarayan since 1989, drawing kite flyers from many countries.
Epic period
Bhishma
The Mahabharata ties the hero's death to the start of Uttarayana.
1989
Kite festival
Gujarat's International Kite Festival begins in Ahmedabad.
Today
Many names
The same day is celebrated as Pongal, Maghi, Bihu and Uttarayan across India.
Travel & practical
Visiting Ahmedabad for Sankranti
Getting there
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD) serves Ahmedabad, with direct flights from major Indian cities and the Gulf.
Best vantage
A rooftop in the old city pols; some heritage homes and guesthouses offer rooftop access for the day.
Practical notes
Kite string can be sharp enough to cut skin. Two-wheeler riders use neck guards, and birds are often injured — rescue camps run across the city.
Plan the trip with free AltFTool tools
FAQ
Makar Sankranti: common questions
Straight answers to what people ask most about Makar Sankranti.
When is Makar Sankranti in 2026 and 2027?
Makar Sankranti fell on Wednesday 14 January 2026. In 2027 the central government list gives Thursday 14 January, though some almanacs observe it on Friday 15 January because the sun's transit happens late in the day.
Why does Makar Sankranti fall on almost the same date each year?
It follows the sun's movement into Capricorn rather than the phases of the moon, so it stays on 14 or 15 January.
Is Uttarayan the same as Makar Sankranti?
Yes. Uttarayan is the Gujarati name, and in Gujarat the festival continues the next day as Vasi Uttarayan.
What is Gangasagar Mela?
A large pilgrimage to Sagar Island in West Bengal, where devotees bathe where the Ganga meets the Bay of Bengal on Makar Sankranti.
Also in January 2027
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