Makar Sankranti: Significance, Rituals, Traditions and Spiritual Meaning

What things make Makar Sankranti special?

By Subhalakshmi's Sanatan World

Last update March 2026

Makar Sankranti is a festival celebrated annually on the 14th or 15th of January across India. It is celebrated in different states of India according to their respective customs. It is very special for all. 

Suggest to read:

Happy New Year | Good Bye 2023, Welcome 2024 | New Year Celebration In India 

Why Christmas Is Celebrated On The 25th Of December, What Special Is January 7th

Why is Makar Sankranti special? 

What are the things that make Makar Sankranti more special?

* kites, beautiful, colorful, big, and small kites make this festival more special. This is why, children like this festival and wait for it for the whole year. The shops are decorated with kites and garlands for sale. Terreses are found crowded, and the sky is filled with kites, for this reason, the festival is also known as kite festival.

* Dahi Chuda (Curd and flattened rice), in some states of India like Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, etc. have a custom to eat Dahi Chuda on this specific day. It is eaten with jaggery and TilKut. People start their day by eating Dahi-Chuda after taking a bath. In some homes, Dahi-Chuda is eaten throughout the day.

* Tilkut, is the most important thing of this festival. Makar Sankranti is incomplete without Tilkut. Unless Tilkut has been eaten, Makar Sankranti is considered as not being celebrated. Tilkut is made with Til (sesame) and jaggery or sugar.

Actually, eating sesame on Makar Sankranti is customary in India, hence it is eaten in a versatile way on this festival. 

* Pithaa, is a dish made with rice flour. It is basically eaten in West Bengal. Although there are a lot of varieties of Pithaa. Sometimes it is made sweet by stuffing something sweet things in it and sometimes it is made salty by stuffing something salty in it.

* Khichdi, although Khichdi is very common in India, when it is cooked at festivals it becomes special. Same like that, Khichdi becomes special, when it is cooked on Makar Sankranti.

Eating khichdi on this day is not only for tests but there is a certain reason behind it. The ingredients that are used to prepare Khichdi have their own recognition, rice is the main ingredient that relates to the moon, Urad Dal relates to Shani Dev, turmeric relates to Vrihaspati, and green veggies are related to Budh.

FAQs About Makar Sankranti

Q1. Why is Makar Sankranti celebrated?

Makar Sankranti is celebrated to mark the Sun’s transition into Capricorn (Makar Rashi) and the beginning of Uttarayan, which is considered an auspicious period in Hindu tradition.

Q2. Why does Makar Sankranti usually fall on 14 January?

The festival is based on the solar calendar and occurs when the Sun enters the Capricorn zodiac sign, which usually happens on 14 January.

Q3. Which God is worshipped on Makar Sankranti?

Devotees worship the Sun God (Surya Dev) and offer prayers for prosperity, health and happiness.

Q4. What foods are commonly prepared during Makar Sankranti?

Traditional foods include sesame (til) sweets, til ladoos, khichdi, and jaggery-based dishes.

Conclusion

Makar Sankranti is not just a harvest festival but also a deeply spiritual occasion that reflects the harmony between nature, cosmic movements, and human life. The festival marks the Sun’s transition into the zodiac sign Capricorn (Makar) and the beginning of Uttarayan, a period considered highly auspicious in Hindu tradition. It reminds people to express gratitude to nature, celebrate abundance, and strengthen bonds with family and community.

Across India, the festival is celebrated with great joy through traditional rituals, prayers to the Sun God, kite flying, and the preparation of special foods made from sesame and jaggery. These traditions symbolize positivity, warmth, and prosperity.

Ultimately, Makar Sankranti teaches the values of gratitude, generosity, and spiritual growth. By honoring the Sun and embracing the spirit of togetherness, the festival inspires people to welcome new beginnings with hope and positivity.