When is Ganesh Chaturthi (गणेश चतुर्थी) in 2026?

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 starts on September 14, marking the beginning of the 10-day grand Ganeshotsav festival in Maharashtra.

Does this calendar include Maharashtra state holidays?

Yes, we track all official public holidays in Maharashtra, including Maharashtra Day, Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti, Gudi Padwa, and Ambedkar Jayanti.

How do I know which exact day to perform a specific Puja?

Our calendar maps major festivals to the primary civil day of observance. For exact fractional Tithi bounds, please visit our Daily Panchang page.

When is Makar Sankranti celebrated in 2026 in Maharashtra?

Makar Sankranti 2026 falls on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. The Maharashtrian three-day cycle begins with Bhogi on Tuesday, January 13, Makar Sankranti on Wednesday, January 14, and Kinkranti on Thursday, January 15, 2026.

What is the exact Makar Sankranti 2026 Punya Kaal Muhurat in Maharashtra?

The auspicious Makar Sankranti Punya Kaal on January 14, 2026, extends from 07:15 AM to 05:46 PM (duration: 10 hours 31 minutes). The Maha Punya Kaal (most sacred window for Surya Snan and daan) is from 07:15 AM to 09:05 AM.

Why is black color specifically worn on Makar Sankranti in Maharashtra?

Black is traditionally worn during Makar Sankranti because it is the coldest time of the winter season, and black absorbs maximum solar heat to keep the body warm. Women traditionally wear a black silk 'Chandrakala' saree adorned with white sugar-bead jewelry (Halwyache Dagane).

What is the Bornahan ritual for children on Makar Sankranti?

Bornahan is a delightful Maharashtrian custom for infants and young children. The child is dressed in black clothing adorned with edible sugar-candy ornaments. Elders gently shower a mixture of jujube fruits (Bore), puffed rice (Kurmure), groundnuts, sugarcane pieces, and coins over the child's head to pray for robust health and ward off the evil eye.

What is the significance of Sugad Pujan during Makar Sankranti?

Sugad Pujan involves worshiping two small unbaked clay pots (one raw, one baked) called Sugad. They are filled with newly harvested winter crops — freshly reaped wheat ears, sesame, jaggery, green chickpeas (Harbhara), and sugarcane — symbolizing gratitude to Mother Earth for the winter bounty.

Makar Sankranti 2026 | मकर संक्रांती २०२६

Makar Sankranti 2026 Kite Flying Tilgul Maharashtra

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About Makar Sankranti(उत्सव माहिती)

Makar Sankranti (मकर संक्रांती) is one of the most culturally cherished, astronomical, and joyful solar festivals celebrated across Maharashtra. Unlike the majority of Hindu festivals governed by the lunar calendar, Makar Sankranti follows the solar cycle, marking the exact celestial moment when the Sun God (Surya Bhagwan) enters the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makar Rashi). This cosmic event marks the commencement of Uttarayan — the auspicious six-month northward transit of the sun, bringing longer daylight hours, warmer days, and the celebration of the bountiful winter harvest.

In Maharashtra, the festival spans three consecutive celebration days: Bhogi (भोगी), Sankranti (संक्रांती), and Kinkranti (किंक्रांती / Kar Din). On Bhogi (the day prior), families prepare the iconic Bhogichi Bhaji — an earthen pot medley of winter harvest vegetables (eggplant, tender green chickpeas, carrots, flat beans) infused with roasted sesame and fresh coconut, savored with piping hot Bajra Bhakri smothered with fresh white churned butter (Loni).

On Sankranti day, the air is filled with greetings of *'तिळगूळ घ्या, आणि गोड गोड बोला!'* (Tilgul ghya, aani god god bola — 'Accept this sweet sesame-jaggery, and speak sweetly to one another'). Sesame (Til) and unrefined cane jaggery (Gul) hold deep Ayurvedic significance, generating essential body warmth and nourishing the skin during dry winter. Married women celebrate Haldi-Kunku (हळदी-कुंकू) across the month of Paush, wearing elegant black sarees (especially the traditional Chandrakala silk saree) adorned with ornaments crafted from delicate sugar beads (Halwyache Dagane). Rooftops in cities like Pune, Nagpur, Solapur, and Nashik buzz with high-flying kite duels under clear blue skies.

History: The cultural history of Makar Sankranti carries ancient Vedic, astronomical, and Maratha historical traditions:

1. Surya and Shani Reconciliation: In Sanatana astronomy and Puranic lore, Makar Rashi is ruled by Lord Shani (Saturn), the astrological son of Surya (the Sun God). Despite mythological estrangement, on Makar Sankranti, Surya visits the house of his son Shani for a month. Hence, this day symbolizes forgiveness, the healing of family relationships, and starting anew without lingering bitterness.

2. The Legend of Bhishma Pitamaha: In the Mahabharata epic, the grand patriarch Bhishma Pitamaha lay on a bed of arrows, utilizing his boon of *Iccha Mrityu* (death at will) to wait for the auspicious onset of Uttarayan before shedding his mortal coil and attaining Moksha.

3. Maratha Empire & Peshwa Customs: In Maharashtra's historical chronicles, Makar Sankranti was an occasion of great civic bonding. The Peshwas held royal Haldi-Kunku assemblies at Shaniwar Wada, distributing sugar-candy ornaments and gifts of grain, cotton, and gold coins to royal families and common citizens alike.

Significance: The observance of Makar Sankranti carries profound health, social, and spiritual significance:

Ayurvedic Winter Nourishment: Sesame seeds and jaggery are natural powerhouses of iron, calcium, and good fats. In harsh winter, consuming Til-Gul and Bajra Bhakri strengthens immunity and balances Vata and Kapha doshas.
Social Harmony & Goodwill: The sharing of Tilgul serves as a social equalizer and peace treaty. The greeting urges people to forget past misunderstandings, quarrels, or harsh words, renewing friendships with sweetness.
Haldi-Kunku & Female Bonding: The gathering of married women (Suhasinis) strengthens maternal and neighborly networks, where gifts (Vana) of clay pots (Sugad), fresh sugarcane, carrots, and kitchen utility items are exchanged.
Kite Flying & Vitamin D Synthesis: Spending hours outdoors flying kites under the gentle winter sun allows the body to absorb beneficial vitamin D from solar rays.

Rituals & How to Celebrate

Early morning Surya Arghya: Offering sanctified water with red flowers, Akshata, and sesame seeds to the rising Sun while chanting Gayatri and Aditya Hridaya Stotram.

Exchanging homemade Tilgul Ladoo and Til Chikki with family, friends, and neighbors with the blessing 'Tilgul ghya, god god bola'.

Preparing and serving the Bhogi feast: rustic hot Bajra Bhakri smeared with fresh homemade white butter (Loni) and Bhogichi Bhaji.

Sugad Pujan: Worshiping miniature earthen pots (Sugad) painted in red and white lime, filled with fresh winter crops (wheat ears, sugarcane pieces, sesame, carrots, green grams, and cotton pods).

Haldi-Kunku ceremony: Married women gather in traditional black Chandrakala sarees, applying turmeric and kumkum, exchanging Supari and Vana gifts.

Bornahan: A joyous ceremony for toddlers (under 5 years) dressed in black clothes with sugar-candy jewelry, playfully showering them with puffed rice (Lahya), bore (jujube fruits), sugarcane bits, and candies.

Kite flying competitions (Patangbaazi) from rooftops and open grounds across Maharashtra.

Traditional Foods & Bhog

Tilgul Ladoo (crunchy aromatic round sweets made with toasted white sesame, jaggery, crushed peanuts, and cardamom)

Tilachi Poli / Gul Poli (crispy layered Maharashtrian flatbread stuffed with roasted sesame, poppy seeds, gram flour, and melted jaggery)

Bhogichi Bhaji (legendary 9-ingredient winter vegetable stew made with brinjal, green chickpeas, papdi beans, drumsticks, and sesame-peanut paste)

Bajrichi Bhakri (rustic pearl millet flatbread toasted over an open flame and served with fresh homemade Loni)

Khamang Kakdi (refreshing cucumber salad with crushed peanuts and lemon juice)

Gulachi Kheer (rice and jaggery pudding simmered in cow milk and dry fruits)