2026 Sankranti Calendar: Lohri, Bhogi, Makar Sankranti, Pongal – Full Panchang & Festival Guide
2026 Sankranti Calendar:– Makar Sankranti in 2026 is celebrated as a four-day festival across India with different regional names like Lohri, Bhogi, Pongal, Uttarayana, Pedda anduga, Kanuma and more. All four days honor Lord Surya (Sun God) and mark the transition of Sun into Makara Rashi.
2026 Sankranti 4-Day Festival Calendar
Day 1 – Lohri / Bhogi (13 January 2026)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | 13 January 2026 |
| Day | Tuesday / मंगलवार |
| Deity | Lord Surya |
| Day Count | 1 |
| Tithi | Dashami |
| Festivals | Lohri, Maghi, Bhogi Pandigai |
| Sunrise | 07:15 |
| Sunset | 17:45 |
| Panchang | Panchang for Lohri Day |
Day 2 – Makar Sankranti / Pongal (14 January 2026)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | 14 January 2026 |
| Day | Wednesday / बुधवार |
| Deity | Lord Surya |
| Day Count | 2 |
| Tithi | Ekadashi |
| Festivals | Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Pedda Panduga, Uttarayana, Uruka |
| Sunrise | 07:15 |
| Sunset | 17:45 |
| Panchang | Panchang for Makar Sankranti Day |
Day 3 – Mattu Pongal / Kanuma (15 January 2026)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | 15 January 2026 |
| Day | Thursday / गुरुवार |
| Deity | Lord Surya |
| Day Count | 3 |
| Tithi | Dwadashi |
| Festivals | Mattu Pongal, Kanuma Panduga, Magh Bihu |
| Sunrise | 07:15 |
| Sunset | 17:46 |
| Panchang | Panchang for Mattu Pongal Day |
Day 4 – Kaanum Pongal / Mukkanuma (16 January 2026)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | 16 January 2026 |
| Day | Friday / शुक्रवार |
| Deity | Lord Surya |
| Day Count | 4 |
| Tithi | Trayodashi |
| Festivals | Kaanum Pongal, Mukkanuma |
| Sunrise | 07:15 |
| Sunset | 17:47 |
| Panchang | Panchang for Kaanum Pongal Day |
Note: Timings are in 24-hour format, New Delhi time, with DST adjustments if applicable.
2026 Sankranti Festival Overview
Makar Sankranti is celebrated as a 4-day festival dedicated to Lord Surya. These days express gratitude for the Sun, harvest, livestock, nature, and agricultural prosperity. Every region celebrates Sankranti with a unique cultural identity but shares the common theme of light, harvest, and thanksgiving.
How Different States Celebrate in 2026 Sankranti
North India – Lohri, Maghi
| State | Festival Name | Ritual Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Punjab | Lohri | Bonfire, dance, gur & til offerings |
| Haryana | Maghi | Holy bath, fairs, Daan |
| Uttar Pradesh | Sankranti Snan | Ganga Snan at pilgrimage sites |
| Uttarakhand | Ghughutiya | Cultural feasts, worship of Sun |
Ganga Snan – Most Sacred Ritual
On Makar Sankranti day, thousands take a holy dip in the River Ganga at places like:
- Haridwar
- Varanasi
- Prayagraj
- Ganga Sagar (West Bengal)
It is believed that Ganga Snan on Sankranti destroys sins and grants spiritual merit.
Gujarat & Rajasthan – Uttarayana
| Festival | Description |
|---|---|
| Uttarayana | Kite festival, worship of Sun |
| Vasi Uttarayana | Celebrated the next day |
Uttarayana is considered highly auspicious and marks the Sun’s northern movement.
Tamil Nadu – Pongal (4 Days)
| Day | Festival Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bhogi | Removal of old things, home cleaning |
| 2 | Thai Pongal | Main day, thanksgiving to Sun God |
| 3 | Mattu Pongal | Worship of cattle, bulls, oxen |
| 4 | Kaanum Pongal | Visiting relatives, feasting |
Pongal is a major harvest festival celebrated with homemade dishes like Sakkarai Pongal.
Andhra Pradesh & Telangana – Pedda Panduga (4 Days)
| Day | Festival Name | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bhogi Pandigai | Bonfire, cultural rituals |
| 2 | Pedda Panduga | Main Sankranti celebration |
| 3 | Kanuma Panduga | Worship of cattle |
| 4 | Mukkanuma | Community feasts, offerings |
Kerala – Makaravilakku at Sabarimala
The Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple celebrates Makar Sankranti with the sacred Makaravilakku, seen as a divine light.
Thousands gather to witness this symbolic “celestial light” on the hilltop.
Summary 2026 Sankranti
| Region | Local Name | Days Celebrated | Key Rituals |
|---|---|---|---|
| North India | Lohri, Maghi | 1–2 Days | Bonfire, Ganga Snan |
| Gujarat | Uttarayana | 2 Days | Kite flying, Surya Puja |
| Tamil Nadu | Pongal | 4 Days | Bhogi, Thai Pongal, Mattu Pongal, Kaanum |
| Andhra Pradesh & Telangana | Pedda Panduga | 4 Days | Bhogi, Pedda Panduga, Kanuma, Mukkanuma |
| Kerala | Makaravilakku | 1 Day | Ayyappa Darshan, temple rituals |
FAQs for 2026 Sankranti Calendar
1. When is Makar Sankranti in 2026?
Makar Sankranti in 2026 is on 14 January (Wednesday).
This is the main day when the Sun enters Makara Rashi, marking the beginning of Uttarayana, an auspicious period in Hindu astrology.
2. What are the Sankranti 2026 dates?
Sankranti 2026 is celebrated for four days from 13 January to 16 January 2026:
- 13 January: Lohri / Bhogi
- 14 January: Makar Sankranti / Pongal
- 15 January: Mattu Pongal / Kanuma
- 16 January: Kaanum Pongal / Mukkanuma
3. How many days is the Sankranti festival in 2026?
In 2026, Sankranti is a 4-day festival celebrated across India with regional variations like Lohri, Pongal, Uttarayana, Pedda Panduga, and Kanuma.
4. What are the four days of Pongal in 2026?
The 2026 Pongal festival includes:
- Bhogi – Home cleaning, discarding old items
- Thai Pongal – Main day of Sun worship
- Mattu Pongal – Worship of cattle
- Kaanum Pongal – Family visits, community gatherings
5. Which day is Lohri in 2026?
Lohri is on 13 January 2026 (Tuesday).
It marks the first day of Sankranti celebrations in North India.
6. What is special about Makaravilakku in 2026?
Makaravilakku is observed on the evening of 14 January 2026 at Sabarimala Temple, Kerala.
Devotees witness a sacred divine light believed to symbolize Lord Ayyappa’s blessings.
7. Why is Makar Sankranti important?
Makar Sankranti marks:
- The Sun’s shift into Makara Rashi
- Start of Uttarayana (the auspicious six-month period)
- Harvest season, thanksgiving rituals
- Sacred practices like Ganga Snan, Surya Arghya, Til Daan, and Annadan
It is considered one of the holiest days in the Hindu calendar.
8. What are sunrise and sunset timings during Sankranti 2026?
For New Delhi (IST):
- Sunrise: 07:15 AM
- Sunset: Between 17:45 – 17:47 PM (13–16 January 2026)
These timings may differ slightly according to location.
9. What are the main rituals of Makar Sankranti?
Key Makar Sankranti rituals include:
- Ganga Snan (holy dip)
- Surya Arghya (offering water to Sun)
- Til Daan (sesame donation)
- Annadan & Gau Seva
- Bonfires, kite flying, harvest puja, cattle worship
10. Which is the main day of the 2026 Sankranti festival?
14 January 2026 is the main Sankranti day, celebrated as:
- Makar Sankranti (North India)
- Thai Pongal (Tamil Nadu)
- Pedda Panduga (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana)
11. What is the meaning of Uttarayana in 2026?
Uttarayana marks the Sun’s northward movement.
It begins on 14 January 2026 and is believed to bring positive energy, good karma, prosperity, and spiritual upliftment.
12. Where to take Ganga Snan on Makar Sankranti 2026?
The holiest places for Sankranti Snan are:
- Haridwar
- Varanasi
- Prayagraj
- Ganga Sagar
A dip during Sankranti is believed to cleanse sins and purify the soul.
13. Which states celebrate 4-day Sankranti in 2026?
The following states celebrate Sankranti as a four-day harvest festival:
- Tamil Nadu: Pongal (Bhogi, Thai Pongal, Mattu Pongal, Kaanum)
- Andhra Pradesh & Telangana: Pedda Panduga (Bhogi, Sankranti, Kanuma, Mukkanuma)
14. What foods are traditionally prepared during Sankranti 2026?
Popular Sankranti dishes include:
- Tilgul, Gajak, Revdi
- Pongal, Sakkarai Pongal
- Makara Chaula
- Lai Laddu, Puffed rice dishes
- Sugarcane, jaggery sweets
These symbolize prosperity and new beginnings.
15. Where can I book a Pandit for Sankranti Puja in 2026?
You can book certified Vedic Pandits for Makar Sankranti Puja, Pongal Puja, Surya Puja and Grih Puja at:
👉 https://www.panditjionway.com
Panditji On Way provides experienced North & South Indian Pandits, samagri, muhurat guidance, and home/temple puja services.
16. When is Makar Sankranti 2026 date and festival calendar?
Makar Sankranti 2026 is on 14 January (Wednesday).
The complete 2026 Sankranti Calendar runs for four days from 13 to 16 January 2026, including Lohri, Bhogi, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Mattu Pongal, Kanuma, and Kaanum Pongal.
17: How many days is Sankranti in 2026 and what are the festival dates?
Sankranti 2026 is celebrated for 4 days across India:
- 13 January: Lohri / Bhogi
- 14 January: Makar Sankranti / Pongal
- 15 January: Mattu Pongal / Kanuma
- 16 January: Kaanum Pongal / Mukkanuma
These dates vary by region but follow the same auspicious Sun transition into Makara Rashi.
Read More:- 2026 Makar Sankranti Phalam, Punya Kaal Muhurta, Timings and Significance
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