Dear all
Mr Sekar information is erroneous and unverified; had he read my
article it might not have happened; every 72 years the total one day
alteration takes place because of the earth axis wobbling and it is
correct. However, the sun entering the makara rasi takes place only between
14th and 15th every 2 years and then 2 years between 1996 itself till 2082.
thereafter for a short period 2148 makara sankranti falls on 17th; and then
till alters in between 16th and 17th every 2 years alternating. Hence 72
years denotes the earth and sun line axis shift close to precision and
nothing to do with Makara sankranti. Even in 1996 makara sankaranti was
only on 15th but we celebrated pongal only on 14th. It's because, Makara
sankranti and Pongal are two different things l Pongal is though claimed as
sun worship, practically it is harvest function only done for 4 days. On
the contrary, sun entering Makara Rasi astronomically and astrologically
called makara sankrama could vary because of sun tilting in the orbit in a
certain period and Earth axle shifting making the circumambulation of the
SUn by about 18 to 22 minutes in those periods. Because in this year sun
entered at 3: 45 pm makara sankranti was 14th though harvest festival
arising out of thai masa pirappu fell on 15th. Hence sabarimala did it
yesterday based on makara sun and pongal we do all over india including
lohiri the next day. Makara sankaranti is soura mana viz sun calendar. Masa
pirappu moon based,. In 1850 Makara sankaranti was on 12th while pongal was
14th only. In 1851 makara sankaranti was on 13th and pongal 14th only. So soura
mana and chandra mana shall not be mixed up please. Makar Sankranti is a
major harvest festival is also a wrong assumption. The day of Makar
Sankranti continuously drifts away from the winter solstice. In year 1600,
Makar Sankranti
<https://www.drikpanchang.com/sankranti/makar-sankranti-date-time.html?year=1600>
fell
on January 9, and in the year 2600, Makar Sankranti
<https://www.drikpanchang.com/sankranti/makar-sankranti-date-time.html?year=2600>
would
fall on January 23. After 5000 years of 2015, i.e. in the year 7015 Makar
Sankranti would be observed on March 23, much after the winter season in
India and Vernal Equinox. It shows that no way is Sankranti or any other
Hindu festivals are linked to seasons. However, in current time it happens
to be harvest season (at least in some parts of India) at the time of Makar
Sankranti and it adds zest to the Sankranti festivities.
K Rajaram IRS 15 01 26
On Wed, 14 Jan 2026 at 20:03, 'N Sekar' via KeralaIyers <
[email protected]> wrote:
> *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>
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> ----- 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*
>
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