Makar Sankranti 2026 is a rare, highly powerful, and śāstra-governed parva of Sanātana Hindu Dharma. This year, Makara Saṅkrānti coincides with Śaṭṭilā Ekādaśī on the same civil day, creating a durlabha saṃyoga that greatly magnifies the spiritual results (puṇya) of properly performed dhārmic acts.
Makar Sankranti 2026: Date & Timing
- Festival: Makar Sankranti
- Day: Wednesday (Budhavāra)
- Gregorian Date: 14 January 2026
- Solar Event: Sūrya enters Makara Rāśi
- Puṇyakāla: 03:06 PM to Sunset
⚠️ Even though the solar ingress occurs in the afternoon, Makara Saṅkrānti is a special exception, and puṇyakāla remains valid on the same day, as confirmed by multiple nibandha granthas.
What Is Makar Sankranti? — Śāstric Definition
Makar Sankranti marks the solar transition (saṅkramaṇa) of Sūrya from Dhanu Rāśi to Makar Rāśi. Unlike most Hindu festivals that follow lunar tithi, Saṅkrānti is governed exclusively by the solar system (sauramāna).
Classical Authority
“सङ्क्रमणं सौरमानम्”
— Nirṇaya Sindhu, Saṅkrānti Prakaraṇa
Meaning:
Saṅkrānti is determined only by the movement of the Sun and not by lunar tithi.
Why Makara Saṅkrānti Is Superior to All Other Saṅkrāntis
Makara Saṅkrānti enjoys parama-viśeṣa (supreme distinction) among all Saṅkrāntis.
“मकरसङ्क्रमणं सर्वसङ्क्रान्तिभ्यः प्रशस्यते”
— Dharma Sāgara, Saṅkrānti Viveka
Śāstric Consequence
- Snāna, dāna, japa, and tarpana performed on this day yield akṣaya puṇya
- Puṇyakāla is broader and more flexible than other Saṅkrāntis
- Sūrya-upāsanā becomes especially powerful
Makara Saṅkrānti & Uttarāyaṇa — Spiritual Significance
Makara Saṅkrānti marks the beginning of Uttarāyaṇa, the Sun’s northward journey.
“उत्तरायणं मकरादारभ्यते”
— Muhūrta Chintāmaṇi
Why Uttarāyaṇa Is Important
- Considered the devayāna period
- Praised in the Mahābhārata through Bhīṣma Pitāmaha’s Uttarāyaṇa departure
- Highly favourable for yajña, vrata, dāna, and sādhana
Puṇyakāla Rules for Makar Sankranti 2026
General Rule (For All Saṅkrāntis)
“पूर्वाह्णे सङ्क्रमणे तद्दिने, अपराह्णे परदिने”
— Nirṇaya Sindhu
Makara-Specific Exception
“मकरसङ्क्रान्तौ न परदिने, स्वदिने एव पुण्यकालः”
— Dharma Sāgara
“मकरादिषु सायं पुण्यकालोऽपि ग्राह्यः”
— Muhūrta Chintāmaṇi
✅ Final Verdict
Puṇyakāla on 14 January 2026 from 03:06 PM till Sunset is fully valid.
Rare Saṃyoga: Shattila Ekadashi & Makar Sankranti (2026)
In 2026, Makara Saṅkrānti coincides with Śaṭṭilā Ekādaśī, a powerful Vaiṣṇava nitya-vrata.
No Contradiction — Different Time Systems
“तिथिः चान्द्रमाना, सङ्क्रान्तिः सौरमाना”
— Nirṇaya Sindhu
- Ekādaśī → lunar (tithi-based)
- Saṅkrānti → solar (sauramāna)
Which Dharma Prevails? Ekādaśī or Saṅkrānti?
Śāstra is absolutely clear:
“एकादशी नित्यव्रतत्वात् तिथिधर्मो बलीयान्”
— Nirṇaya Sindhu
Conclusion
- Ekādaśī dharma dominates
- Saṅkrānti rituals must be performed within Ekādaśī limitations
Śaṭṭilā Ekādaśī — Six Sacred Tila Acts
“तिलैः स्नानं तिलैर्होमः तिलैः पिण्डप्रदर्शनम् ।
तिलैर्दानं तिलैर्भुक्तं षट्तिलैकादशी स्मृता ॥”
— Dharma Sindhu
This aligns perfectly with Makara Saṅkrānti’s emphasis on tila-dāna, making this day extraordinarily puṇyaprada.
Is Rice Donation Allowed on Makara Saṅkrānti 2026?
Śāstric Siddhānta (Very Important)
- On a normal Makara Saṅkrānti → rice donation (anna-dāna) is permitted
- But in 2026, Makara Saṅkrānti coincides with Ekādaśī
“एकादश्यां धान्यदानं वर्जयेत्”
— Nirṇaya Sāgara
“सङ्क्रान्तिदानेऽपि एकादशी निषेधः प्रवर्तते”
— Nirṇaya Sāgara
❌ Not Allowed on 14 Jan 2026
- Rice consumption
- Rice or grain donation
- Any anna-dāna
✅ Permitted & Recommended
- Til-dāna
- Guḍa-dāna
- Vastra-dāna
- Pātra-dāna
- Sūrya arghya with til-jala
- Viṣṇu or Sūrya mantra japa
Mandatory Acts (Nitya Karma) on Makara Saṅkrānti
1. Snāna
“माघे मासि विशेषेण मकरस्थे दिवाकरे” — Nirṇaya Sindhu
Best in sacred rivers; otherwise, home bath with mantra is valid.
2. Sūrya Pūjā & Arghya
“न सौरात् परमो देवो न दानात् परमं फलम्” — Nirṇaya Sāgara
3. Dāna (Within Ekādaśī Limits)
“तिलदानं मकरस्थे रवौ कोटिगुणं भवेत्” — Dharma Sindhu
Acts Strictly Prohibited
According to Dharma Sindhu:
- Daytime sleep after snāna
- Oil massage after sunrise
- Sexual indulgence
- Anger, false speech
- Grain consumption or donation
Final Śāstric Siddhānta (Summary)
- Makar Sankranti 2026: Wednesday, 14 January
- Puṇyakāla: 03:06 PM till Sunset (same day)
- Uttarāyaṇa begins
- Ekādaśī dharma dominates
- Til-based acts give akṣaya puṇya
- Rice donation is NOT permitted in 2026 due to Ekādaśī
Authoritative Granthas Referenced
- Nirṇaya Sindhu — Saṅkrānti & Ekādaśī Prakaraṇa
- Dharma Sindhu — Saṅkrānti & Dāna Adhikāra
- Dharma Sāgara — Saṅkrānti Viveka
- Nirṇaya Sāgara
- Muhūrta Chintāmaṇi — Saṅkrānti Adhikāra
