Makar Sankranti 2026 in Dubai falls on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. Sankranti moment is 1:15 PM GMT+4.
Marks the Sun’s entry into Makara rashi and the beginning of Uttarayana, the Sun’s six-month northward journey, considered highly auspicious. In the Mahabharata, Bhishma waited for Uttarayana to leave his body. Bathing in sacred rivers and giving charity (especially til/sesame and jaggery) on this day is believed to wash away sins.
One of the few Hindu festivals tied to the solar calendar, so it falls on nearly the same date every year. Celebrated as Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Lohri (eve) in Punjab, Uttarayan in Gujarat with its famous kite-flying, and Magh Bihu in Assam — everywhere a harvest thanksgiving.
Eat and share til-gur (sesame-jaggery sweets) — the saying "til-gul ghya, god god bola" means take these sweets and speak sweetly. Kite flying, bonfires, and khichdi are regional staples.