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Makar Sankranti
By Experience My India Editorial Team
Destination specialists and licensed local guides
Makar Sankranti marks the sun's transit into the zodiac sign Capricorn, and unlike most Hindu festivals it follows the solar calendar, so it falls close to the same Gregorian date each year — usually 14 January, occasionally 15th. It is celebrated differently by region: kite flying in Gujarat and Rajasthan, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, and Lohri (a related but distinct festival) in Punjab.
What happens
Makar Sankranti marks the sun's transition into Capricorn and, in most traditions, the start of its northward journey — considered an auspicious time. Celebrations vary sharply by region: Gujarat and parts of Rajasthan mark it with large-scale kite flying, Tamil Nadu observes it as Pongal, a multi-day harvest festival, and river and tank bathing is common in many regions.
Where to experience it
- Jaipur and Ahmedabad — major public kite-flying, with rooftops and open grounds filled with kite flyers.
- Tamil Nadu — Pongal is a multi-day harvest festival with its own distinct rituals, particularly lively in rural areas.
When it falls
Because it tracks the solar calendar rather than the lunar one, Makar Sankranti is one of the few Hindu festivals with a near-fixed Gregorian date — usually 14 January, occasionally 15 January depending on the precise solar transit that year. It is worth confirming the specific date for your travel year all the same. (confirmed on enquiry)
Frequently asked questions
Is Makar Sankranti always on 14 January?
Usually, since it follows the solar calendar, but it can occasionally fall on 15 January depending on the exact solar transit. Confirm for your specific year. (confirmed on enquiry)
What's the difference between Makar Sankranti and Pongal?
Pongal is Tamil Nadu's regional name and set of rituals for the same solar transition — a multi-day harvest festival with its own distinct ceremonies, held around the same time as Makar Sankranti.
Where is kite flying biggest?
Ahmedabad (Gujarat) and Jaipur (Rajasthan) both host large public kite-flying events, with the sky visibly full of kites through the day.
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