Makar Sankranti 2026: Uttar Pradesh schools closed on January 14 or 15? Here's what CM Yogi Adityanath's revised order says

Schools in Uttar Pradesh will remain closed on the occasion of Makar Sankranti on January 15, Thursday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered. The state government has revised its official holiday calendar for 2026 and has declared January 15 as a public holiday on Makar Sankranti. The decision was issued through an official notification and applies to all government offices, educational institutions and state-run establishments. According to the notification, all state government departments, schools and public-sector institutions will remain closed in Uttar Pradesh, January 15.

According to the revised order, January 15, 2026, Thursday, will now be observed as a public holiday under the provisions of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, ensuring a complete shutdown of official and banking operations on that day. Earlier, the state government’s 2026 holiday list, issued on November 17, 2025, had marked January 14 as a restricted holiday for Makar Sankranti. The entry appeared at serial number two in the restricted holidays section of the notification. Restricted holidays are optional, allowing employees to avail leave at their discretion, and do not require the closure of offices or institutions.

Under the revised order, all state government departments, schools, colleges, and public sector banks will remain closed on January 15. Private institutions and commercial establishments generally follow the state-declared public holidays, though their final decision will rest with managements.


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When is Makar Sankranti?

Traditionally, Makar Sankranti is celebrated on January 14 every year but this year, there seems to be lot of confusion. Reason? There are a number of dates for Makar Sankranti available online, thus leading to confusion. Makar Sankranti is India's one of the most revered and traditional festivals celebrated with great festive fervour and cheer. A solar-calendar based festival, Makar Sankranti marks the entry of the Sun into the Capricorn sign that is traditionally known as Makara.

Makar Sankranti marks the onset of Uttarayan, the Sun’s move towards the north, and is a highly auspicious occasion in Hindu mythology. On the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti, people take scared holy dips, engage in donation/charity, worship the Sun God which signifies purity, rejuvenation, happiness, and the end of winter. But the main question that people are asking is: When is Makar Sankranti, 14th or 15th of January?

According to Drik Panchang and other Hindu calendars also, Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on 14th January 2026, Wednesday across the country. The exact moment of Sankranti (when the Sun enters Makara Rashi) is around 3:13 PM IST. The Punya Kaal (auspicious period) is a few hours after this moment, during which sacred rituals like holy baths, Surya Arghya (offering to the Sun), and charity are traditionally performed. Because this transition happens during the daytime on 14th January, all major festivities and rituals connected with Makar Sankranti will be observed on that same day, and not on the 15th.

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Makar Sankranti Pooja Vidhi

Makar Sankranti is celebrated with various religious rituals, the most prominent being taking a holy dip in rivers such as the Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna, and Cauvery. The Punya Kaal, or auspicious time to take a holy dip or perform rituals, is expected to begin early in the morning and continue till late afternoon, although exact timings may vary based on location.

People also perform Surya Arghya (offering water to the Sun), chant mantras, and donate essentials like sesame seeds, jaggery, blankets, and food to the needy. Charity (daan) is considered highly meritorious on this day.

While deeply rooted in Indian traditions, Makar Sankranti carries universal lessons:

Gratitude: It reminds us to thank the forces of nature and those who contribute to our well-being.

Renewal: Like the Sun's journey northward, it inspires us to move towards positivity and growth.

Unity in Diversity: The festival's varied regional celebrations underscore the importance of embracing diversity.