Celebrating Makar Sankranti 2027 in India: Traditions and Regional Celebrations Across India
Last updated: October 2026
Makar Sankranti is the pan Indian solar harvest festival marking the sun’s transition into the Makara (Capricorn) zodiac sign. Makar Sankranti 2027 falls on Thursday, 14 January 2027. The festival is celebrated under different regional names across India: Lohri on the eve plus Maghi in Punjab, Uttarayan in Gujarat (famous for kite flying), Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Pedda Panduga in Andhra Pradesh, Magh Bihu in Assam, Maghi Saaji in Himachal, and simply Sankranti or Khichdi in parts of North India. The 2027 calendar places the festival on Thursday which creates a natural long weekend for trip planning. Traditional foods include til gul laddoo (sesame and jaggery), chikki, khichdi, and regional sweets like Pitha (Assam), Payasam (South), and Puran Poli (Maharashtra).
Imagine a festival where the sky transforms into a canvas of colourful kites, families gather around bonfires, and sweet treats fill every home. Welcome to Makar Sankranti in India, a celebration that’s as diverse as the country itself. Whether you’re flying kites in Gujarat, dancing to folk music in Punjab, or cooking up a feast in Tamil Nadu, Makar Sankranti celebrations in India has something for everyone.
Makar Sankranti isn’t just about rituals; it’s about stories, laughter, and starting the year with optimism. If you’ve ever wondered why people risk their fingers battling sharp strings or why jaggery sweets dominate the menu, you’re in the right place. Let’s unravel the magic of Makar Sankranti in India together—one tradition, one recipe, and one kite at a time.
In this Blog
Significance is Makar Sankranti?
Makar Sankranti in India marks the sun’s transition into Capricorn (Makara), signaling the start of longer days. Celebrated on 14th January each year, it is one of the few Indian festivals based on the solar calendar. Known as the harvest festival in India, it reflects gratitude for a prosperous crop season and heralds new beginnings.
Unlike other Indian festivals, Makar Sankranti is celebrated with diverse regional names and customs. From kite-flying in Gujarat to grand bonfires in Punjab, it blends spirituality with fun.
Mythology behind Makar Sankranti in India
The Makar Sankranti name itself refers to a goddess figure named Sankranti in Puranic tradition, who is said to have defeated the demon Sankarasura on this day. Different regional traditions attach different deity narratives to the festival: Vaishnavite traditions emphasise the Vishnu narrative, Shakta traditions emphasise the goddess Sankranti, and Shaivite traditions have their own layered interpretations. The underlying astronomical event (the sun’s transit into Makara) is the common ground across all regional traditions.
In South India, it marks the victory of Lord Vishnu over demons, while in North India, it commemorates Bhishma Pitamah’s decision to leave his mortal body during Uttarayana, believed to be an auspicious period.
Makar Sankranti Traditions Across India
1. Uttarayan in Gujarat – A Sky Full of Dreams
Ahmedabad’s International Kite Festival during Makar Sankranti converts the city into a sky-high battleground of vibrant kites. The sound of “Kai Po Che!” fills the air as participants cut each other’s strings. Locals and tourists hunt for the best kites in Jamalpur and indulge in street snacks like khaman and fafda. Pro tip: Ahmedabad in January is also perfect for sightseeing. Check out our entire guide on other kite festivals India you shouldn’t miss.
2. Bonfires and Bhangra in Punjab – Lohri on the Eve, Maghi on the Day
Punjab celebrates Lohri on 13 January 2027, the evening before Makar Sankranti, with large bonfires, bhangra and gidda dances, and offerings of sesame seeds, popcorn, peanuts, and rewri thrown into the flames. Lohri is a Punjabi harvest festival in its own right rather than a Punjabi name for Makar Sankranti. The next day, 14 January, is observed as Maghi in Punjab with holy baths at Muktsar Sahib and other historical gurdwaras. The two days are often celebrated together as a single festival window but have distinct ritual focus.
3. Holy Baths and Surya Puja at the Kumbh Mela
The confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati at Prayagraj hosts the Magh Mela annually during the Hindu month of Magh (January to February). Makar Sankranti is one of the holiest bathing days of the Magh Mela calendar. Pilgrims gather at the Sangam for ritual baths at dawn on 14 January 2027. The much larger Kumbh Mela runs on a 12 year cycle at Prayagraj with intermediate 6 year half Kumbh (Ardh Kumbh) and 12 year full Kumbh (Purna Kumbh) events. The 2025 Maha Kumbh was the most recent major Kumbh at Prayagraj. The 2027 Makar Sankranti falls within the annual Magh Mela window, not within a Kumbh year.
4. Pongal Feasts in Tamil Nadu – A Culinary Affair
Makar Sankranti becomes Pongal in Tamil Nadu, a four-day celebration with elaborate dishes like sweet pongal made from newly harvested rice. Villages prepare traditional pots decorated with sugarcane. Chennai in January is an excellent time to enjoy mild weather and temple festivals.
5. Colourful Rangolis in Maharashtra
In Maharashtra, people exchange til-gud laddoos saying, “Til-gud ghya, god god bola” (eat sweets and speak sweetly). Homes are decorated with rangolis, and kite flying brings communities together. Don’t miss Mumbai in January, which offers pleasant weather and festive vibes.
Assam: Magh Bihu (also called Bhogali Bihu)
Assam celebrates Magh Bihu (also called Bhogali Bihu, the Feast Bihu) during the Makar Sankranti window. The 2027 Magh Bihu runs 14 to 15 January 2027. Communities build temporary bamboo and thatch structures called Meji which are ceremonially burnt on Magh Bihu morning. The night before (Uruka) sees community feasts featuring traditional Assamese dishes like Pitha (rice flour sweets), Laru (coconut sweets), and fish preparations. Magh Bihu is one of three Bihus celebrated in Assam (Rongali Bihu in April and Kati Bihu in October are the other two).
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana: Pedda Panduga (The Big Festival)
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana call Makar Sankranti Pedda Panduga (literally the Big Festival). The celebration runs 4 days from 13 January 2027 through 16 January 2027. The four days are Bhogi (burning old items on Day 1), Sankranti (main day with Haridasu wandering minstrels, cockfights in some areas, and bull taming called Pasuvula Panduga), Kanuma (cattle veneration parallel to Tamil Mattu Pongal), and Mukkanuma (family visits and outings parallel to Kaanum Pongal). The Andhra celebration structure closely parallels Tamil Pongal because both regions share the same solar harvest festival roots.
Traditional Makar Sankranti Foods and Recipes
No Indian festival is complete without food, and Makar Sankranti is no exception. Regional delicacies include:
- Til-Gud Laddoos – Made with sesame seeds and jaggery, symbolising warmth.
- Puran Poli – A Maharashtrian flatbread stuffed with sweet lentils.
- Chikki – Crunchy peanut and jaggery bars, popular in Gujarat.
- Khichdi – A North Indian dish made from rice and lentils, offered to deities.
- Sakkarai Pongal – A sweet rice dish in Tamil Nadu.
Pro tip: Prepare these recipes ahead of time to enjoy stress-free celebrations.
Kite Flying: The Symbol of Makar Sankranti
Kite flying is more than a pastime—it symbolises freedom and aspirations. Markets brim with kites of all sizes, from paper to designer creations. Rooftops during the Jaipur Kite Festival echo cheer as people battle for dominance in the skies. Jaipur in January is also ideal for sightseeing and exploring palaces.
Safety tips:
- Opt for eco-friendly kites to avoid harming birds.
- Use protective gloves to handle sharp strings.
- Avoid crowded rooftops for safer celebrations.
Makar Sankranti and Social Unity
This harvest festival in India is a great equaliser, uniting people across religions and regions. The practice of sharing sweets promotes goodwill, while bonfires, dances, and folk music strengthen community bonds. It’s a time to connect, forgive, and celebrate diversity.
Makar Sankranti in 2027: What You Need to Know
Makar Sankranti 2027 falls on Thursday, 14 January 2027. The festival marks the sun’s transition into the Makara (Capricorn) zodiac sign and the start of Uttarayan (the sun’s six month northward journey). The date is set by solar astronomy rather than the lunar calendar, which is why it stays close to 14 January each year (though it occasionally falls on 15 January in specific years due to the gradual astronomical drift).
The 2027 calendar advantage: With Makar Sankranti on Thursday 14 January 2027 and Pongal running the following day on Friday 15 January, the long weekend window (Thursday to Sunday) requires minimal extra leave. This is a stronger calendar than 2026 was for family trips to Gujarat Uttarayan or South India Pongal.
Virtual options:
- Online Surya Puja livestreams.
- Workshops for making til-gud laddoos and kites.
Safety tips:
- Check local rules for bonfires and fireworks.
- Wear layers to stay warm during outdoor events.
- Avoid synthetic strings to ensure bird safety.
A Festival of Joy and Togetherness
Makar Sankranti isn’t just a harvest festival—it’s a celebration of light, unity, and tradition. From kite flying in Gujarat to holy baths at Prayagraj, it brings people closer with shared rituals and heartfelt connections. As 2027 approaches, let’s make this Indian festival not just about customs but also about spreading joy and positivity.
Whether you prefer quiet family gatherings or bustling fairs, Makar Sankranti has something for everyone. So grab your til-gud laddoos, join a bonfire, and let your spirits soar like a kite in the sky!
Where to Stay for Makar Sankranti 2027
The 4 day weekend created by Makar Sankranti falling on Thursday 14 January 2027 makes trip planning straightforward because minimal extra leave is required. Three StayVista picks across three distinct regional traditions covered in this guide:
FAQs: Makar Sankranti 2027
Thursday, 14 January 2027. The date is set by the sun’s transit into the Makara (Capricorn) zodiac sign and remains close to 14 January each year.
All four refer to the same solar event (the sun’s entry into Makara). The regional names reflect different cultural traditions around the same underlying astronomical moment. Pongal is the Tamil 4 day format. Lohri is the Punjabi bonfire tradition on the eve (13 January). Uttarayan is the Gujarati name focused on kite flying. Makar Sankranti is the pan Indian name used in Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and much of North India.
The most pan Indian food is til gul laddoo (sweet balls made from sesame seeds and jaggery), exchanged with the phrase “Til gul ghya, god god bola” (take sweets and speak sweetly). Other common foods include Chikki (sesame and jaggery brittle), Khichdi (rice and lentil preparation), Pongal (sweet and savoury rice dishes), Pitha (Assamese rice flour sweets), Payasam (South Indian milk based desserts), and Puran Poli (Maharashtrian stuffed sweet flatbread).
For kite flying: Ahmedabad International Kite Festival (Gujarat), peak dates 13 to 14 January 2027. For traditional 4 day celebration: Tamil Nadu Pongal belt (Chennai to Madurai) or Andhra Pradesh Pedda Panduga. For bonfire traditions: Punjab Lohri (13 January) and Assam Magh Bihu (14 to 15 January). For spiritual pilgrimage: Prayagraj Magh Mela (14 January holy bath).
Yes. With Makar Sankranti on Thursday 14 January 2027 and Pongal running through to Saturday 16 January 2027, the natural weekend extends Thursday to Sunday without needing extra leave. This is particularly favourable for South India trips (Pongal belt) and Gujarat trips (Uttarayan).
Article by: Ruben Saha
