Makar Sankranti

Hindu festival · harvest celebration · sun worship · India

Sun god worship. During Makar Sankranti, people honor Surya, the sun god, because this festival marks an important moment when the sun begins its journey northward across the sky.

January celebration. This festival happens every year on January 14th, right in the middle of winter when farmers are harvesting their crops and looking forward to spring.

Zodiac transition. Makar Sankranti celebrates the moment when the sun moves from the zodiac sign of Sagittarius into Capricorn, which is called makara in Sanskrit.

Multi-day parties. People across India celebrate with colorful festivals that last several days, each region adding its own special traditions and foods to mark this new beginning.

Fresh start season. This festival represents hope and renewal because it signals that winter is ending and the sun is returning to bring warmer days and new crops to grow.