Makar Sankranti 2025 मकर संक्रान्ति
Tuesday, 14 January 2025
Sun Ingress Time
08:54 IST
Sun Enters
Makara (Capricorn)
Deity
Surya
Maha Punya Kaal
14 Jan 07:18 AM
Punya Kaal Start
14 Jan 02:30 AM
Punya Kaal End
14 Jan 03:18 PM
Regional Names
Pongal (Tamil Nadu)
Uttarayan (Gujarat)
Lohri+1 (Punjab)
Magh Bihu (Assam)
Maghi (Sikhs)
Khichdi (UP, Bihar)
Significance
Sun begins Uttarayan (northward journey) — the auspicious half of the year. Most celebrated Sankranti across India.
Rituals
- Til-gud distribution
- Kite flying
- Sacred river bath at Sangam, Haridwar, Ganga Sagar
- Pongal cooked outdoors (Tamil)
Punya Kaal — The Auspicious Window
Duration: 16 ghati (~6h 24m) before AND after the exact Sankranti moment, totaling ~12h 48m
- Bathing in sacred rivers (Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Kshipra, Narmada, Kaveri) during Punya Kaal multiplies merit 1000-fold
- Donations made during Punya Kaal carry maximum punya — especially til (sesame), gud (jaggery), warm clothes, blankets
- Tarpan to ancestors is highly meritorious
- Avoid travel and major commitments at the exact sankranti moment — wait for it to pass
- Pregnant women avoid stepping outdoors during the actual transit moment
Mantras
Surya Mantra
ॐ ह्रां ह्रीं ह्रौं सः सूर्याय नमः
Om Hraam Hreem Hraum Sah Suryaya Namah
Meaning: Salutations to Surya
Aditya Hridayam (opening)
ॐ नमो भगवते आदित्याय। ॐ खखोल्काय नमः।
Om Namo Bhagavate Adityaya. Om Khakholkaya Namah.
Meaning: Salutations to Lord Aditya, the brilliant Sun.
Surya Gayatri
ॐ भास्कराय विद्महे महद्द्युतिकराय धीमहि। तन्नो आदित्यः प्रचोदयात्॥
Om Bhaskaraya Vidmahe Mahad-dyutikaraya Dhimahi. Tanno Adityah Prachodayat.
Meaning: We meditate on Bhaskara, the illuminator. May Aditya inspire us.