Makar Sankranti 2024: Date, Rituals, Bank Holidays - A Primer On Harvest Festival

Makar Sankranti is the first big festival of the year that is celebrated in many part of India, along with some other countries.

Makar Sankranti, an ancient Hindu festival, is set to be celebrated on Monday (January 15, 2024), marking the transition of Sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn (known as Makara in Sanskrit). This auspicious occasion, synonymous with harvest, kite-flying, and cultural festivities, resonates with vibrant traditions that vary across India. The year's first festival is celebrated around mid-January and the date is based on the solar calendar. In 2024, the Sun will move from Sagittarius to Capricorn two hours past midnight (2.45am to be exact) on January 14, which is why Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on January 15. This astronomical event has been celebrated for centuries, dating back to Vedic times.

This year, Makar Sankranti falls on January 15, a day after Lohri. According to Drik Panchang, the Sankranti time is 2:45 am on January 15. The Punya Kala lasts from 7:15 am to 8:07 pm (10 hours, 31 minutes), and Maha Punya Kala is from 7:15 am to 9:00 am (1 hour, 45 minutes).