*Why People Get Confused Between 14 and 15 January**? [Mr GOPALAKRISHNAN] *
The confusion around Makara Sankranti dates is not new. It happens mainly because of how different Hindu calendars calculate ritual timings. Some traditional panchangams follow sunrise-based rules. If the Sun enters Makara very late in the evening, certain religious activities are sometimes shifted to the next day. *However, in 2026, the transition happens in the afternoon, well before sunset.* That means there is no reason to move rituals to 15 January, which firmly fixes 14 January as the main festival day. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX KR KINDLY VIDE IT IS NOT THAT REASON AS STATED THEREIN BY Mr GOPALAKRISHNAN. Makara sankaranti is different from Pongal. A long article attached as a word document where I have tried to explain various aspects. Hence makara sankaranti for 2026 is only at 3 45 PM to day but pongal is only tomorrow. Sabari mala is makara shift so makara jyothi happens in 15 minutes hence. Thank u K Rajaram IRS 14126 On Wed, 14 Jan 2026 at 09:25, 'gopala krishnan' via Thatha_Patty < [email protected]> wrote: > *UTTARAYANA PUNNIAKALAM* > > In 2026, the Uttarayana Punyakalam will primarily start on January 14, > with the transition of Sun occurring in the afternoon for most of India. > However, some traditional calendars and specific regional observances, > particularly in certain parts of Tamil Nadu and for specific rituals, will > mark the beginning on January 15. > > *Key Details for 2026* > > Main Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2026, is the widely accepted date for > Makara Sankranti and the start of the Punya Kaal, as the sun enters the > Makara (Capricorn) sign during daylight hours. > > *Sankranti Moment:* The Sun is scheduled to enter Makara Rashi at > approximately 3:13 PM IST on January 14, 2026. > > *Punya Kaal (Auspicious Time*): This sacred period for rituals like holy > baths, charity, and prayers to Surya Bhagawan (Sun God) is observed on > January 14, from around 3:13 PM to 5:45 PM. > > *Regional Variations:* > > In regions following the Drik Panchang and many mainstream calendars, > January 14 is the main day. > > In Tamil Nadu, the main festival of Pongal and the related Uttarayana > Auspicious Period are often observed on January 15. > > *Some specific Vakya Panchangam traditions also list January 15 as the > date for certain ancestral rituals (Tarpanam).* > > The slight confusion stems from different calculation methods in various > Hindu calendars; however, the astronomical event (the Sun's transit) occurs > on January 14 afternoon. Devotees are often advised to follow the specific > timings and dates appropriate to their local traditions or the guidance of > their local temple priest > > *Makara Sankranti* > > Makara Sankranti is one of India’s oldest and most meaningful festivals. > *Unlike > most Hindu celebrations that depend on the lunar calendar, this festival > follows the solar cycle, making its date far more pre*cise. > > Every year, it marks the moment when the Sun enters Makara (Capricorn) and > begins its northward journey, known as Uttarayanam. > > > > > > *Makara Sankranti 2026: Official Date and Time* > > According to Drik Panchang and major Hindu calendars, Makara Sankranti > will be celebrated on Wednesday, 14 January 2026. > > The Sun will enter Makara Rashi at around 3:13 PM IST on that day. Since > this planetary transition happens during daylight hours, the festival and > all its key rituals are observed on 14 January itself, not on the 15th. > > *Why People Get Confused Between 14 and 15 January**?* > > The confusion around Makara Sankranti dates is not new. It happens mainly > because of how different Hindu calendars calculate ritual timings. > > Some traditional panchangams follow sunrise-based rules. If the Sun enters > Makara very late in the evening, certain religious activities are sometimes > shifted to the next day. *However, in 2026, the transition happens in the > afternoon, well before sunset.* > > That means there is no reason to move rituals to 15 January, which firmly > fixes 14 January as the main festival day. > > *What Is Punya Kaal and Why It Matters* > > Punya Kaal is the most auspicious time for performing rituals on Makara > Sankranti. It begins shortly after the Sun enters Makara and lasts for a > few hours. > > In 2026, since Sankranti happens at 3:13 PM, the Punya Kaal starts the > same day. This is the time when people take holy baths, offer water to the > Sun and give charity. As everything falls on 14 January, all major > observances stay on that date. > > *What Happens on Makara Sankranti* > > Makara Sankranti marks a powerful astronomical shift the *Sun moving from > its southern path (Dakshinayan) to its northern journey (Uttarayan).* This > change is believed to bring hope, positivity and renewal. > > People across India celebrate the day with meaningful traditions: > > *Holy baths in rivers and at home to cleanse the body and soul.Surya puja, > where devotees offer water to the rising Sun.Charity and daan, especially > food, clothes and sesame seeds.*Traditional foods like til laddoos, > khichdi and sweets, symbolising warmth and harmony. > > *How Different States Celebrate Makara Sankranti**?* > > While the meaning remains the same, the way Makara Sankranti is celebrated > changes from place to place. > > *In Gujarat and Rajasthan, colourful kite festivals fill the skies.* > > In Tamil Nadu, it is celebrated as Pongal, a harvest festival spread over > several days. > > In Assam and West Bengal, it appears as Magh Bihu and Poush Parbon, > marking the end of the harvest season. > > *Why Makara Sankranti Is So Special**?* > > Makar Sankranti is more than a festival. It connects three important > aspects of life: > > Astronomy, through the Sun’s movement > > Spirituality, as it is believed to be a highly rewarding time for prayers > and charity > > Agriculture, as it celebrates the harvest and nature’s generosity > > It is one of the few Indian festivals that stays linked to the seasonal > cycle, which is why it usually falls around the same time every year. > > *My additions*. > > Uttarayana Punniakalam is the time for all auspicious things. > > Bhishmar waited in the arrow bed till Uttarayana Punniakalam starts for > his death. > > *Lying in the arrow bed Bhishmar recited the Vishnu Sahasra namam, > listened by Yudhisthira, Ysampayana etc.* > > *In Sabarimalai Makaravilakku is celebrated on 14-1-2026* > > *Gopalakrishnan R. Information is combined from websites. 14-1-2026* > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Thatha_Patty" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/573973821.52171.1768362947927%40mail.yahoo.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/573973821.52171.1768362947927%40mail.yahoo.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/CAL5XZopy3kdTpGBj51y%2BDLiFWemqdwd4pzJOTu0bLVWeQL9hcQ%40mail.gmail.com.
