January in India feels like a collective deep breath. The cold behaves, the sun shows up on time, and rooftops suddenly turn into social clubs. For a traveler easing into Makar Sankranti 2026, the country feels playful, loud in some places, spiritual in others, and sweet pretty much everywhere. Fingers get sticky. Necks hurt from staring at the sky. Plans dissolve fast. That’s kind of the point.
The festival celebrates the sun’s shift into Capricorn, recorded in Indian astronomical texts as early as the 4th century CE. The Makar Sankranti 2026 date falls on January 14, which explains the packed buses, rising hotel rates, and sweet shops that look like mild emergencies.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Ahmedabad: Rooftops That Refuse to Behave
Ahmedabad during Makar Sankranti 2026 is a competitive sport disguised as a festival. Maninagar and old Pol neighborhoods become rooftop arenas where strangers are instantly teammates. Kite fighting here dates back to the early 18th century, evolving into what locals call Uttarayan.
The Sabarmati Riverfront hosts the International Kite Festival, giant kites, music, crowds, fried fafda smells everywhere. Rooms vanish fast, so best hotels in Ahmedabad need early booking, and scoring cheap flights to Ahmedabad in January feels like winning dessert first.
Prayagraj: Faith Before Sunrise
Here, celebration begins in the dark. Pilgrims gather at the Triveni Sangam for ritual baths described in Vedic scriptures over 3,000 years old. Bells ring softly, incense hangs in cold air, and the river demands bravery. Watching quietly with a cup of ₹10 tea feels right. During Makar Sankranti 2026, staying close to the ghats matters, best hotels in Prayagraj disappear early, pushing many travelers toward cheap flights to Prayagraj instead of long road journeys.
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Jaipur: Pink Walls, Calm Chaos
Jaipur celebrates with a bit more grace. Rooftops near Badi Chaupar and views from Nahargarh Fort fill with floating color. Early mornings bring Surya Puja, tied to Rajput traditions from the 1700s. Temple bells echo softly while vendors pass around til-gud laddoos. This city easily lands on lists of places to Visit for Makar Sankranti in India, especially for travelers who like balance. Staying central helps, best hotels in Jaipur sell out quickly, and festival-season cheap flights to Jaipur reward early planners.
Nashik: Slow Mornings by the Godavari
Nashik keeps things grounded during Makar Sankranti 2026 in India. At Ram Kund and Goda Ghat, pilgrims gather before sunrise for holy dips mentioned in Puranic texts over 2,000 years old. Steam rises from the river, chai cups multiply, conversations stay quiet. No kite shouting here, just sesame sweets and calm rituals. Choose best hotels in Nashik near the ghats, and routing via Mumbai sometimes unlocks cheap flights to Nashik.
Chennai: Pongal on Every Street
Down south, Sankranti turns into Pongal. Residential lanes in Chennai host the real celebration, rice pots boiling over intentionally, a Chola-era tradition from around the 9th century. Kolams decorate doorsteps, sugarcane leans against gates, and strangers get fed without introductions. Temples like Kapaleeshwarar hold special prayers. Many travelers list this among the best places to celebrate Makar Sankranti in India. Staying nearby helps, so best hotels in Chennai around Mylapore book out, while cheap flights to Chennai stay surprisingly reasonable.
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Hyderabad: Loud, Local, Unfiltered
Hyderabad goes full volume. Around Charminar, standing tall since 1591, entire neighborhoods fly kites together, yelling advice across rooftops like it’s a team sport. Streets smell like frying snacks and sweet ariselu made just for the season. After sunset, Irani cafés fill fast. Consider booking all-inclusive Hyderabad tour packages balance food walks with festival time.
Many travelers call this one of the best places to celebrate Makar Sankranti because it’s raw and communal. Stay at the best hotels in Hyderabad around Banjara Hills to finish off the day in style.
Udaipur: Soft Light and Easy Smiles
Udaipur celebrates gently. Kites drift over Lake Pichola, temple bells ripple across water, and everything feels unhurried. Rooftops near the ghats offer quiet views and long conversations. Travelers often splurge on best hotels in Udaipur for sunset drama, or choose all-inclusive Udaipur tour packages for a slower pace. Many quietly call this one of the best places to celebrate Makar Sankranti in 2026 without the crowds.
Wrapping It All Up
From chaotic rooftops to silent riverbanks, this festival shows up differently everywhere and that’s the magic. Food gets sweeter, skies get busier, and winter feels kinder. These journeys naturally circle back to conversations about the best places to celebrate Makar Sankranti 2026, especially for travelers chasing sunlight, sugar highs, and stories that linger longer than the sweets.
FAQs
Why do we celebrate Makar Sankranti?
This vibrant festival marks the Sun’s transition into Capricorn (Makar Rashi) and the start of longer, warmer days as winter fades. It is also a major harvest festival where people offer gratitude for nature’s bounty and the new agricultural cycle.
Is Makar Sankranti 2025 on 14th or 15th
In 2025, Makar Sankranti was celebrated on January 14th across most of India. Some regional calendars, particularly in the Telugu-speaking regions, observed the primary rituals on January 15th.
Is Makar Sankranti always on 14 January?
It usually falls on January 14th because it is one of the few Hindu festivals based on the solar cycle, though it shifts to January 15th during leap years or due to specific astronomical timings.
Why wear black on Sankranti?
The day of Sankranti is theoretically the coldest day of the year, and black helps absorb heat to keep you warm. It also symbolizes the absorption of negativity to make way for a fresh, positive start to the new season.
What foods are eaten during Makar Sankranti?
The most iconic treats are til-gul (sesame and jaggery sweets) and khichdi (a comforting rice and lentil dish), both of which provide warmth and energy. You will also find regional favorites like Pongal in the south and pitha (rice cakes) in the east, all made from the season’s fresh harvest.
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