Makar Sankranti in 2026 will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 14. This major Hindu festival marks the Sun's transition into Capricorn and the beginning of its northward journey, Uttarayan. It signifies new beginnings, the end of winter, and the arrival of longer days. Rituals include bathing in sacred rivers, prayers to the Sun God (Surya), and acts of charity, such as donating grains and blankets. The festival is observed across India with regional names like Uttarayan in Gujarat and Pongal in South India.