Sankranti 2026 — All 12 Solar Transit Dates संक्रान्ति 2026
All Sun-into-rashi transits with Punya Kaal & festivals
All 12 Sankrantis — 2026
| # | Name | Date | Sun Ingress Time | Sun Enters | Maha Punya Kaal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Makar Sankranti
मकर संक्रान्ति
|
14 Jan | 14:49 IST | Makara (Capricorn) | 14 Jan 01:13 PM – 14 Jan 04:25 PM |
| 2 |
Kumbha Sankranti
कुम्भ संक्रान्ति
|
13 Feb | 04:23 IST | Kumbha (Aquarius) | 13 Feb 02:47 AM – 13 Feb 05:59 AM |
| 3 |
Meena Sankranti
मीन संक्रान्ति
|
15 Mar | 00:14 IST | Meena (Pisces) | 14 Mar 10:38 PM – 15 Mar 01:50 AM |
| 4 |
Mesha Sankranti
मेष संक्रान्ति
|
14 Apr | 08:58 IST | Mesha (Aries) | 14 Apr 07:22 AM – 14 Apr 10:34 AM |
| 5 |
Vrishabha Sankranti
वृषभ संक्रान्ति
|
15 May | 05:42 IST | Vrishabha (Taurus) | 15 May 04:06 AM – 15 May 07:18 AM |
| 6 |
Mithuna Sankranti
मिथुन संक्रान्ति
|
15 Jun | 12:25 IST | Mithuna (Gemini) | 15 Jun 10:49 AM – 15 Jun 02:01 PM |
| 7 |
Karka Sankranti
कर्क संक्रान्ति
|
16 Jul | 21:54 IST | Karka (Cancer) | 16 Jul 08:18 PM – 16 Jul 11:30 PM |
| 8 |
Simha Sankranti
सिंह संक्रान्ति
|
17 Aug | 07:35 IST | Simha (Leo) | 17 Aug 05:59 AM – 17 Aug 09:11 AM |
| 9 |
Kanya Sankranti
कन्या संक्रान्ति
|
17 Sep | 07:48 IST | Kanya (Virgo) | 17 Sep 06:12 AM – 17 Sep 09:24 AM |
| 10 |
Tula Sankranti
तुला संक्रान्ति
|
17 Oct | 21:55 IST | Tula (Libra) | 17 Oct 08:19 PM – 17 Oct 11:31 PM |
| 11 |
Vrischika Sankranti
वृश्चिक संक्रान्ति
|
16 Nov | 19:21 IST | Vrischika (Scorpio) | 16 Nov 05:45 PM – 16 Nov 08:57 PM |
| 12 |
Dhanu Sankranti
धनु संक्रान्ति
|
16 Dec | 10:08 IST | Dhanu (Sagittarius) | 16 Dec 08:32 AM – 16 Dec 11:44 AM |
What is Sankranti?
Sankranti (संक्रान्ति) is the moment the Sun crosses from one zodiac sign (rashi) to the next. There are 12 sankrantis in a year — one per solar month. Each sankranti carries unique significance: Makar Sankranti (Sun → Capricorn) is the most celebrated, marking Uttarayan. Sankrantis are when bathing in sacred rivers, donations, and tarpan to ancestors are most meritorious.
संक्रान्ति वह क्षण है जब सूर्य एक राशि से अगली राशि में प्रवेश करता है। वर्ष में 12 संक्रान्तियाँ होती हैं — प्रत्येक सौर मास में एक।
Unlike the lunisolar Hindu calendar where months are based on Moon phases, Sankrantis follow the Sun. The Sun spends ~30 days in each rashi; the moment it transits to the next is the Sankranti. The 12 Sankrantis define India's solar reckoning — used by Tamil, Bengali, Malayalam, Odia, and Punjabi calendars to determine months. The most important is Makar Sankranti (Sun's transit into Capricorn) — celebrated as Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Uttarayan in Gujarat, Lohri's day-after in Punjab, Bihu in Assam, and across India as the day Uttarayan (the Sun's northward journey) begins.
Punya Kaal — The Auspicious Window
Duration: 16 ghati (~6h 24m) before AND after the exact Sankranti moment, totaling ~12h 48m
Maha Punya Kaal: Inner 4 ghati (~96 minutes) on each side — most powerful for snan (bath) and dana (donation)
- 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
Donation Items
- Til (sesame seeds) — most associated with Sankranti, especially Makar
- Gud (jaggery) — sweet of the season
- Warm clothes, blankets, woolen items (in winter Sankrantis)
- Khichdi ingredients (rice, dal, til, salt, ghee)
- Sweet preparations (til-laddoo, tilkut, gajak)
- Money / dakshina to learned Brahmins
- Food and warm drinks to the poor
Mantras
FAQ
What is Sankranti?
Sankranti is the moment the Sun transits from one zodiac sign (rashi) to the next. There are 12 Sankrantis in a year — one per solar month. The exact Sankranti moment is calculated astronomically. Each carries unique spiritual significance.
When is Makar Sankranti 2026?
Makar Sankranti 2026 falls on Wednesday, 14 January 2026. Sun enters Capricorn (Makara) — beginning Uttarayan (the auspicious northward journey of the Sun).
What is Punya Kaal?
Punya Kaal is the auspicious window of 16 ghati (~6h 24m) before AND after the exact Sankranti moment — totaling about 12h 48m. The inner 4 ghati (~96 minutes) on each side is Maha Punya Kaal — most powerful for snan, dana, and tarpan.
Why is Makar Sankranti so important?
Makar Sankranti marks the beginning of Uttarayan — the Sun's northward journey, considered the auspicious half of the year. In the Mahabharata, Bhishma Pitamaha waited on his bed of arrows for Uttarayan to begin before leaving his body. It's the most important Sankranti — celebrated grandly across all of India under different names (Pongal, Lohri+1, Bihu, Uttarayan).
What is Uttarayan vs Dakshinayan?
Uttarayan = Sun's apparent northward journey from Makar Sankranti (Jan 14) to Karka Sankranti (Jul 16) — considered auspicious, the day-time of the gods. Dakshinayan = Sun's southward journey from Karka Sankranti to Makar Sankranti — considered less auspicious, the night-time of the gods. New ventures and major life events are traditionally preferred during Uttarayan.
What should I donate on Sankranti?
Traditional Sankranti donations: til (sesame seeds), gud (jaggery), khichdi ingredients, warm clothes (winter sankrantis), blankets, til-gud sweets, and money/food to Brahmins and the poor. Donations during Punya Kaal carry maximum merit.