Makar Sankranti 2024: January 14 or 15, when to celebrate the festival?

Makar Sankranti is considered an important festival of Hindu religion. According to mythology, it is believed that taking bathe in Ganga or any holy river and doing charity have special significance on this day. As per Hindu panchang, this festival falls only on the 14th or 15th day of the month of January. The day is known as Makar Sankranti. 

This festival is known by many different names across the country. However, unlike other Hindu festivals this festival is celebrated depending on the different positions of the moon. The calculations are done according to the solar calendar rather than the lunar calendar. The day also known as Uttarayan. From this day the days start getting longer while the nights start getting shorter, this festival is a Sankranti festival.

On this day, when day and night become equal, the arrival of spring begins. However, there is confusion among people that when will Makar Sankranti will be observed, on January 14 or January 15?

According to astrologers and Panchang, due to leap year, the festival of Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on January 15, this year. Lord Sun will move out of Sagittarius and enter Capricorn at 02:54 am. The auspicious time on this occasion will be as follows.

Makar Sankranti Punyakaal - 07:15 am to 06:21 pm
Makar Sankranti Maha Punyakal – 07:15 am to 09:06 am

Method of Makar Sankranti

Though there are different methods that are followed by people for the celebration on Makar Sankranti. Before worshiping, first get up and clean yourself. After this, if possible, take bath in some holy river nearby, if you are not able to do so, then take bath with Ganga water at home. Purify yourself by doing Aachman. Wearing yellow clothes on this day is considered auspicious, so wear yellow clothes and offer prayers to the Sun God. After this read Surya Chalisa and recite Aditya Hridaya Stotra. Finally perform aarti and donations. Donating on this day is considered to have special significance.

(Disclaimer: This information has been collected from various mediums like astrologers, almanacs, beliefs or religious scriptures and has been presented to you. Please consult experts while making related decisions. TopIndianNews does not hold accountability for this information.)