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Hindu · Festival

Makar Sankranti,
& Uttarayan.

मकर संक्रांति · ઉત્તરાયણ
☀ Sun enters Makar🪁 Kites🍬 Til-gud
This year, in your city

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The date depends on where you live: in 2027 it is 15 January in India but 14 January in the UK and USA. Gujarat flies kites on 14 and 15 January.
⚠️ Draft — awaiting review. Customs differ by region and family. Where your family has its own way, follow it.

१In one picture

Makar Sankranti and Uttarayan. 2027: India 15 January, UK and USA 14 January, kites in Gujarat 14 and 15 January. 1 Surya arghya at sunrise: face east and offer water from a copper lota with red flowers, akshat and til — Om Suryaya Namah. 2 Daan: til, gud, khichdi grains, a warm blanket to someone in need. 3 Til-gud: laddoo, chikki, undhiyu, khichdi. 4 Fly kites, protect birds: skip 6–8 am and 5–7 pm, no glass-coated or Chinese manja, call a bird helpline for injured birds.

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२Questions people ask

Why is the date different in India and abroad?

Sankranti is the moment the sun enters Makar. Whether that moment falls before or after your local sunrise decides the day, so it can differ by a day between India and the UK or USA.

Is Uttarayan the same as Makar Sankranti?

They are celebrated together. In Gujarat, Uttarayan (the kite festival) is on 14 January and Vasi Uttarayan on 15 January, whatever day the sankranti falls.

What should we donate?

Til, gud, grains for khichdi, warm clothes or a blanket: given to someone who needs it.

How do I offer surya arghya?

At sunrise, face east and pour water slowly from a copper lota, with red flowers, akshat and til in it, while saying Om Suryaya Namah. Watch the sun through the falling water.

Another question? Ask Sahayak, our AI helper, or ask Maharaj ji on WhatsApp.

३Read more

Why kites, and why the bird-safe hours?

Kites celebrate the sun's northward journey. Every year thousands of birds are hurt by sharp manja, so Gujarat's bird-rescue drives ask flyers to avoid early morning and evening, when birds fly most.

४Sources

  • Makar Sankranti: the sun's entry into Makar rashi, calculated for your city by our calendar.
  • Background reading: Makar Sankranti ↗ and Uttarayana ↗ on Wikipedia (surya puja, til-gud, daan, kites). The arghya is commonly offered with the Gayatri Mantra ↗.

Also see: All festivals in your city

Ask Maharaj