Makar Sankranti 2075: date and puja muhurat

What it is

The day the Sun enters Capricorn (Makara), the start of its northward course (Uttarayana) in tradition. The Sun's move into Makara is welcomed as a turn towards longer, brighter days, and as a harvest festival across India.

Why it matters

One of the few Hindu festivals fixed by the Sun, not the Moon, so it falls on almost the same date every year. It is a thanksgiving for the harvest and a welcome to longer days.

How it is traditionally kept

A morning bath, offerings to the Sun, sesame and jaggery sweets shared with family and neighbours, kite flying in many states, and giving to those in need.

1. Take an early bath — in a river where possible
2. Offer water (arghya) to the Sun at sunrise
3. Make and share sweets of sesame (til) and jaggery
4. Fly kites in the open air
5. Give grain, sesame or warm clothes to those in need

Across India

Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Lohri the evening before in Punjab, Uttarayan in Gujarat, Bihu (Magh Bihu) in Assam and Khichdi in parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.