संक्रांति
Sankranti
Sankranti is the moment the Sun enters a new zodiac sign, twelve times a year, marked with a bath, charity and prayer to Surya.
Shown for Chicago; choose your city at the top of the page.
| Date | Observance |
|---|---|
| Monday, November 16, 2026 | Vrishchika Sankranti |
| Tuesday, December 15, 2026 | Dhanu Sankranti |
| Thursday, January 14, 2027 | Makara Sankranti |
| Friday, February 12, 2027 | Kumbha Sankranti |
| Sunday, March 14, 2027 | Meena Sankranti |
| Wednesday, April 14, 2027 | Mesha Sankranti |
| Saturday, May 15, 2027 | Vrishabha Sankranti |
| Tuesday, June 15, 2027 | Mithuna Sankranti |
| Friday, July 16, 2027 | Karka Sankranti |
| Tuesday, August 17, 2027 | Simha Sankranti |
| Friday, September 17, 2027 | Kanya Sankranti |
| Sunday, October 17, 2027 | Tula Sankranti |
About
Sankranti (= passage) is the day the Sun moves from one zodiac sign (rashi) into the next. This happens twelve times a year, about once a month. Unlike tithi-based festivals, Sankranti follows the Sun, so it falls on almost the same dates each year, around the 14th to 17th of each Gregorian month.
Each Sankranti is named after the sign the Sun enters.
Significance and stories
Sankranti marks the turn of the solar month. Many regional calendars, such as the Tamil, Bengali, Malayalam and Odia calendars, begin their months on Sankranti.
The period around the passage is called Punya Kaal (= the meritorious time), and Maha Punya Kaal is its most favoured part. Holy bathing, charity and prayer in this window are praised in tradition. The site shows the Sankranti moment and its Punya Kaal for your city.
How to observe
- Bathe early. At a river or holy water if you can, or at home with a prayer to the holy rivers.
- Offer water (arghya) to the Sun while facing east, with a prayer such as ॐ सूर्याय नमः (Om Suryaya namah). Ask a priest or elder to guide pronunciation.
- Light a lamp and offer flowers to Surya or your deity.
- Remember your ancestors with a short prayer, if your family does so.
- Give daan (= charity) of food, clothes, grain or sesame during the Punya Kaal.
- Eat a simple meal.
Fasting and food
Sankranti is not a fixed fast. Many keep a light sattvic meal. Some families fast until the bath and daan. People with health conditions, pregnant or nursing women, children and the elderly should follow their doctor's advice.
The two special Sankrantis
| Sankranti | Sun enters | Approximate date | Importance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Makar Sankranti | Makara (Capricorn) | around January 14 or 15 | Start of Uttarayana, the Sun's northward journey, the harvest festival |
| Karka Sankranti | Karka (Cancer) | around July 16 or 17 | Start of Dakshinayana, the Sun's southward journey |
The 12 Sankrantis
| Name | Sign | Rough position in the year |
|---|---|---|
| Mesha Sankranti | Aries | mid-April (solar new year in many regions) |
| Vrishabha Sankranti | Taurus | mid-May |
| Mithuna Sankranti | Gemini | mid-June |
| Karka Sankranti | Cancer | mid-July |
| Simha Sankranti | Leo | mid-August |
| Kanya Sankranti | Virgo | mid-September |
| Tula Sankranti | Libra | mid-October |
| Vrishchika Sankranti | Scorpio | mid-November |
| Dhanu Sankranti | Sagittarius | mid-December |
| Makara Sankranti | Capricorn | mid-January |
| Kumbha Sankranti | Aquarius | mid-February |
| Meena Sankranti | Pisces | mid-March |
Dhanu and Meena Sankranti begin the periods called Kharmas in some traditions.
Regional customs
Makar Sankranti is called Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Lohri in Punjab, Magh Bihu in Assam and Uttarayan in Gujarat. Mesha Sankranti is Vishu in Kerala, Puthandu in Tamil Nadu, Baisakhi in Punjab and Pohela Boishakh in Bengal. Traditions vary; follow your family's custom or your priest's guidance.
Celebrating in the USA
Sankranti falls on a calendar date that stays almost the same, so you can plan ahead. The moment of the Sun's entry differs by time zone and can fall on a different calendar date than in India. Check the time shown for your city. A morning shower and a short prayer facing the sun, with a donation to a temple, food bank or charity, is a good way to observe it.
Do
- Bathe early and offer water to the Sun.
- Give food, sesame, clothes or money in charity.
- Check the Punya Kaal for your own city.
- Light a lamp and say a short prayer.
- Remember your ancestors with gratitude.
- Keep the meal simple.
Don't
- Do not do major charity in a hurry; do it with a calm mind.
- Do not eat heavy or non-vegetarian food if your family avoids it on the day.
- Do not argue or use harsh words.
- Do not skip the bath and prayer if you are able.
- Do not give away what you need to keep your own household going.
Related
Customs differ between families, regions and traditions. This page describes common practice; follow your family’s tradition and your priest’s guidance.