• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Makar Sankranti 2025: Every year on January 14, Makar Sankranti is celebrated to mark the end of the winter solstice and the start of longer days by marking the sun's transition into Capricorn. This solar-based celebration is a unique and eagerly awaited event and stays fixed on the same date each year. As Makar Sankranti marks the end of winter and the beginning of the harvest season, it is a symbol of warmth, prosperity and rebirth. It is a season of introspection, gratitude and the start of new endeavours. 

India celebrates the festival in many different ways, with each region adding its unique cultural flair to the event. Makar Sankranti brings people together in a sense of joy, unity and renewal. Here are some amazing ways in which Indian cities celebrate the joyous festival of Makar Sankranti. 

Makar Sankranti Celebration In India

Punjab

The festival of Lohri which signifies the end of winter and the beginning of the harvest season is observed in Punjab in place of Makar Sankranti. Traditionally, the harvest of crops like wheat, barley and sugarcane is connected to Lohri. The lighting of a bonfire serves as the celebration's main attraction, drawing families and friends together to partake in dancing, music and warmth.

Gujarat

One of the most celebrated festivals in Gujarat is Makar Sankranti, sometimes referred to as Uttarayan. It honours the sun's passage north and is distinguished by the breathtaking display of vibrant kites in the sky. In Gujarat, people gather on roofs to participate in friendly kite-flying competitions.

Maharashtra

makarsankranti (2)

Makar Sankranti In India (Image Credits: Freepik)

In Maharashtra, people exchange tilgul or sesame and jaggery sweets which stand for harmony, peace and the coming of good fortune in the new year. Women come together for the haldi kumkum ceremony, where they apply turmeric and vermilion on each other’s foreheads, reinforcing the sense of community and goodwill.

Tamil Nadu

In Tamil Nadu, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Pongal, a grand four-day festival that honours the Sun God and thanks him for the bountiful harvest.

Karnataka

The festival is marked by visits to temples, lighting bonfires, and the preparation of traditional sweets like ellu bella, a mixture of sesame seeds, jaggery, coconut and groundnuts. 

ALSO READ: Makar Sankranti 2025: What Is The Significance Of Sesame And Khichdi In Sankranti Celebrations? Spiritual Guru Explains

ALSO READ: Makar Sankranti 2025: Date, Time, Significance And Rituals To Worship Surya Dev