Surya / Vishnu
Makar Sankranti
The sun turns north; the light lengthens
Makar Sankranti marks the sun's entry into Capricorn and the slow return of longer days. Unlike most Hindu festivals it follows the solar reckoning, which is why it falls on nearly the same date each year. Rivers are bathed in, sesame and jaggery are shared, and gratitude is the mood of the day.
Add Makar Sankranti to calendar (downloads an .ics file)
A recommended mantra for this sacred day
The day's bathing and giving are offered to the sustaining presence, and the Ashtakshara is the simplest way to hold that through a bright, busy morning.
Read the Sanskrit and meaning on the Om Namo Narayanaya — Ashtakshara Mantra page, or explore the full mantra library.
Date shown for New Delhi, India. Observance can differ by location because tithi, sunrise and timezone affect the applicable date — please confirm local temple or pañcāṅga timings if precise observance times matter to your practice.
Solar-reckoned, so the date is stable; a small number of pañcāṅgas place it on 14 January.