---------- Forwarded message --------- From: N Sekar <[email protected]> Date: Wed, Jan 14, 2026, 6:33 PM Subject: Fwd - Explanation on Uttarayana Punniakalam To: Kerala Iyer <[email protected]>, Narayanaswamy Sekar < [email protected]>, Chittanandam V. R. <[email protected]>, Suryanarayana Ambadipudi <[email protected]>, Rangarajan T.N.C. < [email protected]>, Mathangi K. Kumar <[email protected]>, Mani APS <[email protected]>, Rama (Iyer 123 Group) <[email protected]>, Srinivasan Sridharan <[email protected]>, Surendra Varma < [email protected]>
*Why is Makar Sankranti on the 15th of January, like last year.* Why is it not on the 14th? What has changed the date or pushed it forward to the next day? We need to know a minor time calculation process to understand why it is so. Normally, Makar Sankranti or Pongal Festival should fall on 14th of January every year. Most of us, since childhood, have been observing it on the 14th of January every year. (Prior to that, between 1862 and 1934, it was falling on the 13th January every year). As per the Indian Almanac's Time calculation, Sun enters the Zodiac sign of Makara Raasi (from Dhanur Raasi), 20 minutes late every year, as compared to the English time or the World Time. Thus, once in 3 years, Sun enters the Makar Raasi late by one hour. That means, in every cycle of 72 years, Sun enters Makar Raasi late by one day. *Hence Makar Sankranti now is on the 15th.* *Till the Year 2080, it will fall on 15th of January only every year.* *From the year 2081 onwards, it will fall on 16th of January every year for the next 72 years, that is, till 2153.* (Also know that Indian Almanac Time is calculated so precisely that our Pundits can accurately tell you today when exactly solar or lunar eclipse will take place after 5,000 years. That also means that the universe works strictly as per precision timings which is why we can confidently calculate today when exactly the eclipse will occur after 5,000 years 👍 Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer <https://mail.onelink.me/107872968?pid=nativeplacement&c=US_Acquisition_YMktg_315_SearchOrgConquer_EmailSignature&af_sub1=Acquisition&af_sub2=US_YMktg&af_sub3=&af_sub4=100002039&af_sub5=C01_Email_Static_&af_ios_store_cpp=0c38e4b0-a27e-40f9-a211-f4e2de32ab91&af_android_url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.yahoo.mobile.client.android.mail&listing=search_organize_conquer> ----- Forwarded Message ----- *From:* "Rajaram Krishnamurthy" <[email protected]> *To:* "gopala krishnan" <[email protected]>, "Chittanandam V R" < [email protected]>, "Markendeya Yeddanapudi" < [email protected]>, "Dr Sundar" <[email protected]>, "Ravi mahajan" <[email protected]>, "Venkat Giri" <[email protected]>, "SRIRAMAJAYAM" <[email protected]>, "APS Mani" <[email protected]>, "Rangarajan T.N.C." <[email protected]>, "Srinivasan Sridharan" < [email protected]>, "Mathangi K. Kumar" <[email protected]>, "Venkat Raman" <[email protected]>, "Rama" <[email protected]>, "Kerala Iyer" <[email protected]>, "Sanathana group" < [email protected]>, "Jambunathan Iyer" < [email protected]>, "Societyforservingseniors" < [email protected]>, "indirapriyadarsini m" < [email protected]> *Cc:* "Patty Thatha" <[email protected]> *Sent:* Wed, Jan 14, 2026 at 4:30 PM *Subject:* [KeralaIyers] Re: Uttarayana Punniakalam *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]. 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