Makar Sankranti 2024 on January 14 or 15? Know when it will be celebrated this leap year

Makar Sankranti 2024 Date: Makar Sankranti, a significant festival celebrated across India, marks the beginning of the auspicious Uttarayan, highlighting the nation's diverse unity with a shared emphasis on the harvest season. Devotees honor the Sun God, Lord Vishnu, and Goddess Lakshmi, offering prayers and gratitude. This day marks the sun's northward movement, initiating the propitious Uttarayan. Rooted in the Mahabharata, Bhishma Pitamah believed that embracing death during this period leads to salvation. The festival's importance is underscored by ritualistic river baths, purifying individuals and symbolizing gratitude for the Sun God's radiant rays, aiming for Moksha, liberation from the cycle of rebirth.

In India, Makar Sankranti is considered the date when the sun starts moving north, symbolizing the beginning of the propitious Uttarayan period. According to the Mahabharata, Bhishma Pitamah believed that embracing death during this period would lead to salvation.

Makar Sankranti holds great significance and importance. People take a holy dip in rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery, Shipra, and Narmada, expressing gratitude towards the Sun God for his warm and radiant rays. The ritual bathing helps cleanse them of their sins and attain Moksha, liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.


When in Makar Sankranti 2024? Is it on January 14 or January 15?
Makar Sankaranti is generally observed on January 14. However, this year due to a leap year, Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on January 15th.

Makar Sankranti 2024 Shubh Muhurat
According to the Drik Panchang, an auspicious period known as Punya Kaal will extend for 10 hours and 31 minutes on January 15th. This timeframe provides an ideal window for engaging in traditional rituals, offering prayers, and paying homage to the Sun God. Those who rise early can also partake in the Maha Punya Kaal.

Makar Sankranti Punya Kala – 07:15 AM to 05:46 PM (10 Hours 31 Mins)
Makar Sankranti Maha Punya Kala – 07:15 AM to 09:00 AM (01 Hour 45 Mins)
Sankranti timings: 02:54 AM, January 15.

Different states celebrate Makar Sankranti with various rituals and traditions:
➤ Lohri: In Haryana and Punjab, Lohri is celebrated on January 13. People gather around bonfires, throw puffed rice and popcorn into the flames, and offer prayers for happiness, health, growth, and prosperity.

➤ Kite Festival: Gujarat celebrates the festival with a vibrant kite-flying event.

➤ Festival of Donation or Khichdi: Uttar Pradesh is known for its gift-giving and donation tradition. The Magh fair in Allahabad starts on Makar Sankranti, where people fast and offer khichdi. The Khichdi Mela is held at Gorakhdham in Gorakhpur.

➤ Bengal: People donate til (sesame seeds) after taking a dip in Makar Sankranti. Big fairs are held in Gangasagar.

➤ Pongal: Tamil Nadu celebrates the occasion as Pongal for four days.

➤ Bihar: Makar Sankranti is known as Khichdi. Giving urad, rice, gold, and woollen garments holds significance on this day.

➤ Maharashtra: Married women donate cotton, oil, and salt to other married women on their first Sankrant.

Makar Sankranti is a festival of great significance in India, celebrated with various names and customs across different states. The festival also pays tribute to the hardworking farmers and their plows and bulls, which have been instrumental in agriculture for ages. Makar Sankranti inspires people to engage in charitable activities and help the poor and needy.