Why do we celebrate Makar Sankranti, and why do we fly kites?
Makar Sankranti celebrates the day the sun moves into Makar rashi (Capricorn), when days start to grow longer and the winter harvest comes in. Families thank Surya dev, share til-gud sweets, and in many places fly kites to welcome the sunny days ahead. In 2027, Makar Sankranti falls on Friday, 15 January.
Makar Sankranti in one line for each age
- Ages 2–5: "Sankranti is when we say thank you to the sun for warm days and good food, and fly kites!"
- Ages 6–8: "On Makar Sankranti, the sun moves into a new part of the sky called Makar. Farmers bring in their harvest, and we share sweets made of sesame and jaggery."
- Ages 9–10: "Makar Sankranti is one of the few Hindu festivals that follows the sun, not the moon, so it falls on almost the same date every year. It marks the start of Uttarayan, the sun's journey north."
One festival, many names across India
| Region | Name | Special custom |
|---|---|---|
| Gujarat, Rajasthan | Uttarayan | Kite flying from rooftops all day |
| Maharashtra | Makar Sankranti | Sharing til-gud and saying "Tilgul ghya, god god bola" (take til-gud, speak sweetly) |
| Tamil Nadu | Pongal | Boiling new rice in milk until it overflows, for abundance |
| Punjab | Lohri (the night before) and Maghi | Bonfire with songs, peanuts, popcorn and rewri |
| Assam | Magh Bihu | Community feasts and bonfires |
| Uttar Pradesh, Bihar | Khichdi | Eating and giving khichdi, and a holy dip in rivers |
| Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana | Sankranti | Sharing ellu-bella (sesame, jaggery and coconut) |
| West Bengal | Poush Sankranti | Pithe sweets, and pilgrims bathe at Gangasagar |
Why do we fly kites on Makar Sankranti?
Kites are a joyful way to welcome the sun and the longer, brighter days. Families spend the whole day outdoors in the winter sunshine, on rooftops and in open fields, calling out "Kai po che!" in Gujarat when they cut another kite's string.
Kite safety for children: use plain cotton string, never glass-coated or nylon manja, which can hurt birds and people. Fly kites only with a grown-up, away from power lines, and never on open rooftop edges.
Why do we eat til and gud (sesame and jaggery)?
Sesame and jaggery keep the body warm in winter, so they're perfect for January. Sharing them carries a sweet message too: in Maharashtra, families say, "Tilgul ghya, god god bola," "Take this til-gud and speak sweetly." It's a chance to forget old quarrels and start fresh.
A story for Sankranti: King Bhagirath and the river Ganga
Long ago, King Bhagirath prayed for many years to bring the holy river Ganga down from the heavens. Shiv ji caught her in his hair so her mighty flow wouldn't break the earth, and then let her flow gently. Bhagirath led Ganga across the land, all the way to the sea, to bless his ancestors. On Makar Sankranti, pilgrims bathe at Gangasagar in West Bengal, where tradition says Ganga met the sea.
Source: Valmiki Ramayana, Bala Kanda (the story of Bhagirath and Ganga). The link to Gangasagar on Sankranti is a long-held tradition.
How to celebrate with your child
- Make til-gud ladoos together. Roasted sesame and melted jaggery are rolled into balls; a grown-up handles the hot jaggery.
- Make a paper kite and decorate it with a sun.
- Say thank you to the sun in the morning with folded hands, or offer water to Surya dev together.
- Give something away: warm clothes, food or sesame sweets. Giving (daan) is an important part of Sankranti.
Questions parents ask
Is Makar Sankranti on 14 or 15 January? It depends on the exact moment the sun enters Makar rashi. In 2027, that moment is late on 14 January, so most panchangs mark the festival on 15 January. Some regions celebrate on the 14th.
Is Makar Sankranti the same as Pongal and Lohri? They are the same season's celebration with different names and customs. Lohri is the night before Sankranti; Pongal is the Tamil festival held at the same time, over four days.
Why is Makar Sankranti always in January? Most Hindu festivals follow the moon, so their dates change each year. Makar Sankranti follows the sun, so it stays on 14 or 15 January.
Hear it on Pratham Pranam
Find the Makar Sankranti festival page, its story and an activity to do together, in Utsav on Pratham Pranam.