Uttarayan 2026: When It Begins, Puja Rituals & Religious Significance

Is Uttarayan 2026 auspicious? Know its exact date, muhurat, puja rituals, Makar Sankranti meaning, and deep spiritual significance.

Uttarayan represents the SUN (Vishnu), which is fast approaching the time when it will be at its utmost (the darkness at its highest or lowest, depending on how you look at it) and the NEW YEAR will have just been born. Celebrated on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, this auspicious day is celebrated throughout India as Makar Sankranti, incorporating Vedic wisdom, devotional rituals, seasonal traditions, and vibrant cultural celebrations, particularly in Gujarat.

Everything You Need to Know About Uttarayan and Makar Sankranti 2026

Uttarayan 2026 will be observed on Wednesday, January 14, which is when according to Drik Panchang, SUN 2026 reaches is in its perigee (closest point), or Uttarayan Sankarti Muhurat, at 03:13 PM EST. This solar movement is commemorated by Hindus all across India as one of the most important festivals, known as Makar Sankranti, in their religious calendar.

In Gujarat, Uttarayan has become much more than just a Hindu festival, but is viewed as a state of collective emotion. In cities like Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, rooftops once again will become a kaleidoscope of cheerful kite flyers, laughter and food. The joy continues into Vasi Uttarayan the next day (the end of the celebration).

Uttarayan 2026 Date and Time

• Festival: Uttarayan / Makar Sankranti

• Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2026

• Sankranti Muhurat: 03:13 PM

What Is Uttarayan and Why Is It Important?

Uttarayan refers to the six-month period when the Sun moves northward, bringing longer days and increased warmth. In Vedic thought, this phase is associated with progress, clarity, and spiritual awakening. Ancient shashtra describe Uttarayana as a time when divine energies flow more freely, making spiritual practices more fruitful.

The Bhagavad Gita highlights the sanctity of this period:

उत्तरायणं पुण्यकालः

Uttarayana is a sacred and meritorious time.

According to Sanatangyan, anything done between the day known as Uttarayan, such as prayer, charity and discipline, will provide benefits that last a long time.

Why Do We Celebrate Makar Sankranti and Uttarayan?

Makar Sankranti is associated with Lord Surya who is the provider of life, health and wisdom. Makar Sankranti is the only Hindu festival celebrated on a solar calendar rather than a lunar calendar; that is also an example of the scientific precision that was built into the Vedas.

The Mahabharata tells us that Bhishma Pitamah decided to leave his physical body at the time of Uttarayan. Therefore, he represents freedom and was done so with Divine Understanding.

उत्तरायणं प्रतीक्ष्य

Waiting for Uttarayan to attain liberation.

This is a confirmation of what many saints, sadhu and guru lineages hold as a belief that Uttarayan leads to an elevation of one's spiritual condition, which is a belief identified in the teachings of Sanatangyan. 

Uttarayan and Makar Sankranti Puja Rituals

Makar Sankranti puja rituals are very simple, but they are also very symbolic, as indicated in the traditional shashtra.

• Ritual Bath: Devotees wake up early and take a holy bath, often mixing sesame seeds or sesame oil in the water. Sesame is associated with stability and Saturn’s disciplined energy.

• Sankalp: A short intention is made, focusing on clarity, restraint, and inner growth.

• Lighting the Diya: Lighting a diya with sesame oil is considered highly auspicious.

• Surya Arghya: Offering water to the rising Sun using a copper vessel while facing east.

The Surya Gayatri Mantra is commonly chanted:

ॐ भास्कराय विद्महे दिवाकराय धीमहि।

तन्नः सूर्यः प्रचोदयात्॥

“May we meditate on the divine Sun, the illuminator of all. May he inspire and guide our intellect.”

Food, Charity, and the Deeper Meaning

Makar Sankranti coincides with the time of year when all of India harvests its crops. And the food that is used in the puja rituals is representative of the gratitude that people have towards Nature. For example, the preparation of sesame and jaggery, rice, khichdi, and his or her home made sweets, etc., is done during that time. The principle behind preparing foods simple is that when prepared simple they will support your intention for purity, based on the principles of sanatangyan.

Donating to those less fortunate is a way to complete the puja. The items donated, such as warm clothes, blankets, food grains, footwear, or sesame-related items to those in need provide a multiplier effect, like a blessing for you. The scriptures reinforce this teaching:

दानं भोगो नाशस्तिस्रो गतयो भवन्ति वित्तस्य

Wealth has three paths—charity, enjoyment, or destruction. Charity is the highest path.

Ancient shashtra teaches us that charity aligns us with doing dharma—doing good for our fellow man.

The site linked with Uttarayan 2026 is a significant opportunity to transition from the orientation of the mind (darkness) into positive affirmations, at this point of our journey on this physical plane and on this part of your journey and those around you (light). Through the traditions associated with Uttarayan, we can experience a deepening of our relationship with God. In addition to the enjoyment of community, those involved will have ample opportunities to perform charitable acts, as well as express gratitude for living life to its fullest potential (walking the walk).