Will Makar Sankranti be celebrated on the 14th or the 15th? The confusion is over.
The confusion regarding whether Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on January 14th or 15th in Uttar Pradesh has been resolved. A public holiday has been declared for January 15th. All government offices and banks will remain closed on this day. Previously, the holiday had been declared for January 14th.
Ankush Pandey
The confusion regarding whether Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on January 14th or 15th in Uttar Pradesh has been resolved. A public holiday has been declared for January 15th. All government offices and banks will remain closed on this day. Previously, the holiday had been declared for January 14th.
The confusion surrounding whether Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on January 14th or 15th in Uttar Pradesh has finally been resolved. The government has declared January 15th a public holiday. All government offices and banks will be closed on this day. Initially, the holiday was declared for January 14th, but this has now been changed.
Previously, in an order issued on November 17, Makar Sankranti was listed as a restricted holiday on January 14, 2026 (Wednesday), at serial number 2 in the list of holidays declared for the year 2026. According to a press release issued on Monday by SVS Ranga Rao, Principal Secretary of the General Administration Department, Uttar Pradesh, after due consideration at the government level, it has been decided to declare January 15, 2026, as a public holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, instead of the restricted holiday declared for Makar Sankranti on January 14.
Under these decisions, a public holiday is declared on January 15, 2026 (Thursday) on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. Accordingly, the notification dated November 17, 2025, issued by the General Administration Section, Government of Uttar Pradesh, shall be deemed to be amended to this extent.
The Sun will enter Capricorn from Sagittarius.
On the day of Makar Sankranti, the Sun moves from Sagittarius to Capricorn, which is considered the beginning of Uttarayan. The Sun's entry into Capricorn is called Sankranti. Donating jaggery ladoos, khichdi, and urad dal is considered especially auspicious. According to the Vishnu Purana, there is no fault in donating rice. Astrologer Praveen Shastri said that this time, the auspicious period for Sankranti will be on January 15.
According to the Sindhu calendar, the sun will enter Capricorn during the night. Therefore, the festival of Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on the following day, January 15th. To ensure a long and healthy life, those who are ill should donate oil and food on this day. Chanting mantras, performing penance, giving alms, bathing in holy waters, and performing Shraddha and Tarpana rituals are considered especially auspicious on this day. Lord Vishnu is very fond of yellow-colored things. Offer yellow flowers, fruits, and yellow clothes to the deity during the puja.
