Makar Sankranti 2027

Puja Vidhi

Who Celebrates This Festival?

• Every Household: Men and women across India observe Makar Sankranti with a holy bath, worship of Surya Dev, and charity (Daan), seeking health, prosperity, and the removal of past sins.
• Farming Families: Farmers give thanks for the new harvest of sugarcane, sesame, and grain, and offer the first of it to the Sun God, the giver of life and light.
• Devotees Seeking Punya: Many families observe it for spiritual merit (Punya), as snan and daan on the day the Sun begins its northward journey are believed to bring manifold blessings.

When Should This Be Performed?

• Holy Bath (Snan): The holy bath is taken at sunrise or in Brahma Muhurta, in a river or at home with a little Ganga jal added to the water. Check the sunrise time for your city on this page.
• Surya Puja and Arghya: Arghya is offered to Surya Dev in the morning, facing the rising Sun.
• Daan: Charity of til, jaggery, khichdi, and warm clothes is given in the forenoon (Purvahna), after the puja.
• Festive Meal: The family shares khichdi and til-gud sweets once the puja and daan are complete.

About the Festival

Makar Sankranti marks the day the Sun enters Makara (Capricorn) rashi and begins its northward journey (Uttarayan), bringing the end of the long winter nights. Because it follows the Sun and not the Moon, it falls around 14 or 15 January every year. It is observed across India, as Uttarayan in Gujarat, Maghi in Punjab, Khichdi in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, and Pongal in Tamil Nadu. It takes place on the day of the Sun's entry into Makara rashi, in the month of Pausha or Magha.

The Katha (Story of Bhishma Pitamah and Uttarayan)

At the end of the great war of Kurukshetra, the aged warrior Bhishma Pitamah lay wounded on a bed of arrows. He had been granted a boon by his father, King Shantanu: he would die only when he himself chose the moment (Ichha Mrityu).

Though his body was pierced by countless arrows, Bhishma did not give up his life. The Sun was then in its southward course (Dakshinayan), and Bhishma, knowing the scriptures, waited for the auspicious time of Uttarayan, when the Sun turns towards the north. For many days he lay on the battlefield, and during this time he taught Yudhishthira the duties of a king and the meaning of dharma, as the Mahabharata tells.

When the Sun at last turned northwards, Bhishma folded his hands, meditated on Lord Krishna who stood before him, and left his body in peace. Since that day, the beginning of Uttarayan has been honoured as a most sacred time, and devotees bathe, worship Surya Dev, and give in charity on Makar Sankranti, praying for light, wisdom, and a good life.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the morning puja:

• Image / Idol: A picture or idol of Surya Dev
• Tilak & Sacred Powder: Roli, Kumkum, Chandan (sandalwood paste), and Akshat (unbroken rice grains)
• Lamps & Incense: A brass or clay Diya with Ghee and cotton wick, and Dhoop or incense sticks
• Sacred Water Container: A copper vessel (Lota) filled with clean water for Arghya, with red flowers and a few grains of til
• Food Offerings (Naivedya): Til (sesame) and jaggery laddus, khichdi, and fruits
• Items for Daan: Til, jaggery, rice, dal, ghee, and a warm blanket or clothes

Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these step-by-step instructions carefully to perform the ritual correctly:

Step 1: Morning Preparation and Sankalp

1. Wake up before sunrise during Brahma Muhurta, and prepare for the holy bath.
2. Take a small amount of water in your right palm and take a Sankalp (solemn vow): "O Surya Dev, today on Makar Sankranti I bathe, worship you, and give in charity with pure devotion. Bless my family with health, prosperity, and freedom from sin."
3. Keep the day pure and sattvic, according to your family's tradition.

Step 2: Holy Bath at Sunrise

1. Bathe at sunrise, preferably in a river such as the Ganga, and at home add a little Ganga jal and a few grains of til to your bathing water.
2. Wear clean, auspicious clothes (preferably yellow or red).

Step 3: Preparing the Puja Altar and Offerings

1. Placing the Altar: Place the picture of Surya Dev on a clean cloth, facing east.
2. Preparing Naivedya: Keep the til-gud laddus and khichdi ready on a clean plate.
3. Setting Aside the Daan: Place the til, jaggery, rice, dal, and clothes for charity beside the altar.

Step 4: Performing the Surya Puja (Sunrise)

1. Light the Ghee Diya and incense in front of the deity.
2. Apply Roli, Chandan, and Akshat, and offer red flowers.
3. Offer Arghya by pouring water slowly from the Lota towards the rising Sun, chanting "Om Suryaya Namah".
4. Offer the til-gud laddus and khichdi as Naivedya.

Step 5: Reciting the Prayers

1. Recite or listen to the Aditya Hridayam or the story of Bhishma Pitamah and Uttarayan with deep focus.
2. Chant "Om Ghrinih Suryaya Namah" or the Surya Mantra a number of times.
3. Conclude with the Surya Aarti.

Step 6: Seeking Blessings and Sharing Prasad

1. Touch the feet of the elders in your family to seek their blessings (Charan Sparsh).
2. Give donations (Daan) of til, jaggery, khichdi, and warm clothes to the needy or a Brahmin.
3. Distribute the til-gud laddus as prasad and share a meal of khichdi with the family.