Makar Sankranti 2025: Date, Rituals, and Significance

Makar Sankranti is celebrated as a festival marking the beginning of the new year, and it holds great significance in Hinduism. Among the 12 Sankrantis that occur throughout the year, Makar Sankranti stands out. It is observed when the Sun enters the Capricorn (Makar) zodiac, bringing with it a new energy. The festival is celebrated across India, albeit with unique traditions in different regions.

When is Makar Sankranti in 2025?
According to the Vedic Panchang, Makar Sankranti in 2025 will be celebrated on January 14, Tuesday. On this day, the Sun will transition from Sagittarius to Capricorn at 9:03 AM.

Auspicious Time for Rituals on Makar Sankranti
The most auspicious time for bathing and giving donations on Makar Sankranti, as per the Hindu calendar, is from 9:03 AM to 5:46 PM. This sacred window lasts for 8 hours and 42 minutes. Additionally, the “Maha Punya Kala” (great auspicious time) starts at 9:03 AM and ends at 10:48 AM, lasting for 1 hour and 45 minutes. According to astrology, performing rituals like Ganga Snan (holy bath) and donations during these times brings immense blessings.

Significance of Makar Sankranti
On Makar Sankranti, devotees worship the Sun God, thanking Him for the harvest and welcoming the new crops. Taking a holy dip in sacred rivers and offering donations is believed to bring good karma. The festival’s significance dates back to the Mahabharata era, where Bhishma Pitamaha, lying on his deathbed, awaited Makar Sankranti to give up his life. Lord Krishna, in the Bhagavad Gita, explains that those who leave their physical form during the six-month Uttarayana period, especially during the waxing phase of the moon, attain liberation and are freed from the cycle of birth and death.