Makar Sankranti 2025 Date, History, Significance
Makar Sankranti 2025 will be celebrated in India on January 14, 2025, in most states. Learn about the date, purpose, and significance of Makar Sankranti 2025.
Deeksha Dixit13 Jan, 2025
Share
Makar Sankranti 2025 will be celebrated on January 14, 2025, marking the transition of the Sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn, signaling the onset of longer days. This festival is considered auspicious for many reasons and is often associated with the harvest season in different parts of India.
Makar Sankranti is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in India. Read on to understand the significance of Makar Sankranti 2025 and its different names across the states.Makar Sankranti Festival 2025
Makar Sankranti is a Hindu festival celebrated annually in January . It holds immense cultural and religious significance, symbolising the end of the winter solstice and the start of longer, sunnier days. This festival is known by different names across India. In Gujarat, it is called Uttarayan, while in Tamil Nadu, it is celebrated as Pongal. The festival also marks the beginning of the harvest season, a time of gratitude and prosperity.| Makar Sankranti 2025 Overview | |
| Date | January 14, 2025 (observed on January 15 in some regions) |
| Historical Context | Dates back to ancient times; linked to agricultural cycles |
| Mythological Story | Associated with Lord Vishnu's victory over the demon Sankarasura. |
| Significance | Marks the sun's transition into Capricorn. |
| Celebrated By | Hindus and various communities across India. |
| Rituals and Activities | Kite flying, preparing traditional foods (like khichdi and tilgul), taking holy dips in rivers, and performing Surya puja. |
| Related Festivals | Pongal, Lohri, Bihu, Magh Bihu, Tusu Festival, among others. |
Makar Sankranti 2025 Date
Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 . Makar Sankranti's date is usually fixed as January 14 or 15 according to the solar calendar, unlike other Hindu festivals that follow the lunar calendar. This makes Makar Sankranti a unique celebration, marking the shift from the cold winter months to the warmer spring months.Why Makar Sankranti is Celebrated?
Makar Sankranti signifies the Sun's transition into Capricorn (Makar Rashi). It marks the beginning of Uttarayan, the northward movement of the Sun. This period is considered auspicious in Hindu tradition and is associated with growth, prosperity, and spiritual enlightenment. The festival marks the end of winter and the beginning of the harvest season in India. In Hindu mythology, the Sun's movement towards the north is considered auspicious and brings blessings of prosperity and good fortune. People take holy dips in rivers to purify their souls. This year, Makar Sankranti will coincide with Maha Kumbh 2025 .Story of Makar Sankranti
In Hindu mythology, Makar Sankranti is linked with the birth of Narashansa , the first preceptor of righteousness in the Kaliyuga. The day is celebrated as the victory of good over evil, as it is believed that on Makar Sankranti, Lord Vishnu defeated the demon Sankarasura, symbolising the triumph of righteousness. One more mythological story associated with Makar Sankranti comes from the Mahabharata. It is believed that on this day, Bhishma Pitamah, who lay on a bed of arrows awaiting his death, was granted the boon to choose the time of his departure from this world. According to the legend, Bhishma chose the time of Uttarayan (the period starting on Makar Sankranti) to leave his mortal body, as it was considered the most auspicious time for one's soul to ascend to heaven. As a result, Makar Sankranti is regarded as a day when the soul is believed to attain liberation.International Kite Festival 2025
The International Kite Festival 2025 is underway in Gujarat, India, from January 11 to 14. The event was inaugurated by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, who launched a tricolor balloon at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad to kick off the festivities. This year, the festival brings together 143 kite flyers from 47 countries, along with participants from several Indian states, offering a spectacular display of culture and tradition. Key highlights of this event include:- Locations: Main events at Sabarmati Riverfront, Ahmedabad; additional festivities in Ekta Nagar, Rajkot, Vadodara (Jan 12); Surat, Shivrajpur, Dhordo (Jan 13).
- Participation: Kite enthusiasts from around the world, including ambassadors from 11 countries like Argentina, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and the US.
- Economic Impact: Boosts local tourism and commerce. Last year, over 550,000 visitors attended, with food and craft vendors earning significant income.
Makar Sankranti Celebration in Different States
Makar Sankranti is celebrated across India, but the way it is observed varies from state to state. Here are various names of this festival and how it is celebrated in different states:| State | Name of Festival | Celebration Details |
| Andhra Pradesh | Makar Sankranti | A four-day celebration with cultural activities and rituals related to harvest. |
| Assam | Bhogali Bihu | Celebrated with feasting, bonfires, and community events as part of the harvest festival. |
| Punjab | Lohri (Eve) | Lohri is celebrated the night before, with bonfires and dancing, marking the harvest. |
| Delhi | Sukarat | Known as Sukarat, celebrated with community meals and local customs in Delhi and Haryana. |
| Gujarat | Uttarayan | Famous for kite flying, the festival is marked by vibrant outdoor celebrations. |
| Madhya Pradesh | Makar Sankranti | Exchanging sweets and engaging in local cultural programs to mark the festival. |
| Maharashtra | Makar Sankranti | Celebrated with kite flying, bonfires, and exchanging tilgul (sesame sweets). |
| Odisha | Makar Sankranti | Lighting bonfires, enjoying community feasts, and following local customs. |
| Tamil Nadu | Pongal | Celebrated for four days, marking the harvest season with feasts and rituals. |
| Jharkhand, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh | Khichdi Parwa | People take a holy dip in the Ganges, eat Khichdi, and offer prayers. |
| West Bengal | Sankranti/Paush Parbon | Celebrated for three days, starting with the festival, with various cultural events. |
Astronomical Significance of Makar Sankranti
Astronomically, Makar Sankranti is significant as it marks the Sun's entry into Capricorn. This shift is a key indicator of Uttarayan , a six-month period of the Sun's northward journey. Longer days and shorter nights start from this day, symbolising the end of the cold winter months. The alignment of the Sun with Capricorn is also a time of spiritual awakening. It is believed that performing religious activities during this period yields better results due to the increased energy and positivity in the environment.Cultural Significance of Makar Sankranti
The cultural importance of Makar Sankranti goes beyond just religious observances. It is a festival that brings communities together and encourages social welfare.- Spiritual Practices: Many people take a holy dip in rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, and Godavari. This ritual is believed to cleanse sins and bring blessings.
- Charity: Offering food, clothes, and money to the needy is an essential part of the festival. It promotes the idea of sharing and caring.
- Feasting: Traditional dishes like khichdi, tilgul, and laddoos are prepared, showcasing the rich culinary heritage of India.
- Kite Flying: In states like Gujarat and Rajasthan, colourful kites fill the sky, symbolising freedom and joy.
| UPSC Related Articles | ||
| World Hindi Day 2025 | Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti 2025 | National Bird Day 2025 |
| National Youth Day 2025 | National Road Safety Month 2025 | Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2025 |
Makar Sankranti 2025 FAQs
What is Makar Sankranti?
Makar Sankranti is a Hindu festival that marks the Sun's entry into the zodiac sign of Capricorn, signifying the start of the harvest season.
What is the date of Makar Sankranti 2025?
Makar Sankranti 2025 will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 14.
Makar Sankranti festival is celebrated in which state?
Makar Sankranti is celebrated across India with different names and traditions, such as Pongal in Tamil Nadu and Lohri in Punjab.
How Makar Sankranti is celebrated?
The festival involves kite flying, community feasts, charity, and religious rituals like bathing in holy rivers.
Why is Makar Sankranti significant?
It marks the transition of the Sun into Capricorn, symbolising the end of winter, the beginning of harvest, and spiritual awakening.
Talk to a counsellorHave doubts? Our support team will be happy to assist you!
Check out these Related Articles
Join 15 Million students on the app today!
Live & recorded classes available at easeDashboard for progress trackingMillions of practice questions at your fingertips
Free Learning Resources
PW Books
Notes (Class 10-12)
PW Study Materials
Notes (Class 6-9)
Ncert Solutions
Govt Exams
Class 6th to 12th Online Courses
Govt Job Exams Courses
UPSC Coaching
Defence Exam Coaching
Gate Exam Coaching
Other Exams
Know about Physics Wallah
Physics Wallah is an Indian edtech platform that provides accessible & comprehensive learning experiences to students from Class 6th to postgraduate level. We also provide extensive NCERT solutions, sample paper, NEET, JEE Mains, BITSAT previous year papers & more such resources to students. Physics Wallah also caters to over 3.5 million registered students and over 78 lakh+ Youtube subscribers with 4.8 rating on its app.
We Stand Out because
We provide students with intensive courses with India’s qualified & experienced faculties & mentors. PW strives to make the learning experience comprehensive and accessible for students of all sections of society. We believe in empowering every single student who couldn't dream of a good career in engineering and medical field earlier.
Our Key Focus Areas
Physics Wallah's main focus is to make the learning experience as economical as possible for all students. With our affordable courses like Lakshya, Udaan and Arjuna and many others, we have been able to provide a platform for lakhs of aspirants. From providing Chemistry, Maths, Physics formula to giving e-books of eminent authors like RD Sharma, RS Aggarwal and Lakhmir Singh, PW focuses on every single student's need for preparation.
What Makes Us Different
Physics Wallah strives to develop a comprehensive pedagogical structure for students, where they get a state-of-the-art learning experience with study material and resources. Apart from catering students preparing for JEE Mains and NEET, PW also provides study material for each state board like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and others
Copyright © 2025 Physicswallah Limited All rights reserved.