Makar Sankranti 2026: New Trains, Peak Travel Dates, and Tips

The word Makar Sankranti has its own different meaning, “movement” or “transition”. With this idea, people are celebrating these festivals. During Makar Sankranti, the sun starts moving from a northward direction, and this phase is known as Uttarayan. The traditional beliefs related to this auspicious day are simply considered ‘the day of the gods’. This indicates the slow end of winter and the start of the hotter days. Makar Sankranti 2026 is about to come, and Indian people are prepared to celebrate one of their most vibrant and ancient festivals. 

This festival is linked with the worship of Surya Dev, the sun god. During the festival, farmers offer their first produce and show their thankfulness and respect for the blessing and energy. People sustain their lives on earth because of their blessings. The festivals may be known by various names, such as Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Magh Bihu in Assam, Lohri in Punjab, but dedication and intention are pure and similar. It symbolizes the slow and steady victory of light over darkness. As per the Hindu festivals, they follow the lunar calendar, and Makar Sankranti is tied to the solar cycle and celebrated across the Indian subcontinent.

When is Makar Sankranti 2026? Clearing the Date Confusion

The major question that arises every year is what the exact date of Makar Sankranti 2026 is. Date is fixed, but as per the beliefs and some go with the lunar calendar. The date of Makar Sankranti is  Wednesday, January 14, 2026. 

As per the normal calendar, people celebrate Makar Sankranti on 14th January, and the remaining timings depend on the Makara (Capricorn) zodiac sign. The reason why we celebrate this festival as the sun enters Capricorn on 14th January 2026. This is the most vital factor as per the Drik Panchag.

Makar Sankranti 2026 Date and Time:

• Makar Sankranti Date: January 14, 2026
• Punya Kala: 07:15 AM to 05:46 PM
• Maha Punya Kala: 07:15 AM to 09:00 AM

During this day and time, the auspicious window opens, and devotees congregate at the rivers such as the Ganges, the Yamuna, and the Godavari to take a holy dip. Carry the belief that their past sins are cleansed and get the blessing to start your journey from the beginning.

Makar Sankranti wishes for all

1. Wish you the best and joyful Makar Sankranti full of success and bliss.  
2. The newly fresh harvest brings good health, wealth, and prosperity in your life. 
3. Celebrate Makar Sankranti with family and share the bond of togetherness. 
4. Enjoy this Makar Sankranti with tasty, crunchy til laddo, Gajak, and delicious food. 

Pongal wishes

1. Wishing you a happy Pongal 2026 this year bring all happiness and joy. 
2. Happy Pongal 2026. Let this new season bring peace and good health. 
3. May this Pongal 2026 fulfil all your dreams, and life will become more joyful. 
4. Happy Pongal 2026 to your amazing family and love once. 

Lohri wishes

1. Wish you a Happy Lohri and bonfire, bring all endless happiness, and remove all despair.
2. Wishing you the best Lohri and eat sweet gajak and crunchy revri, and enjoy with loved ones.
3. Lohri 2026, Let the sins and evil away in fire and ignite your life with wealth and abundance.
4. May this Lohri bring prosperity, joy, and full of happiness. Happy Lohri 2026!

The Colors of Celebration: Rangoli and Pongal Kolam

With the strong belief that you will see the streets and homes during these festivals. You can easily see the best use of colors outside or inside the houses. Rangoli for Makar Sankranti is a kind of emotion; it’s not just a colour, it is always more than a decoration. They made rangoli to welcome the Goddess Lakshmi and positivity into their houses. Like the different colors, god will add happiness, same as the various colors. 

Same as the North people of South celebrate the Pongal Festival. Like North, they also made Rangoli, but not with the colorful powders; they constructed a beautiful design with the rice flour. The white colour symbolises purity. During Pongal 2026, people make things beautifully with rice flour. Make the picture of the sun, sugarcane, and pots that are the symbol of prosperity. 

Tasty Journey on Track: Makar Sankranti Food Items

It is well known that ordering food in train is so difficult during festivals. As January has different festivals and the rush increases. Without food, no Indian festival is complete. It doesn’t matter if you are at home or travelling during festivals. Feast should be there, then only is it considered a festival. Makar Sankranti food, if you want to relish, must order Food on train  by the RailRestro app. The food that people have during this festival provides warmth and nutrition, and is beneficial too. 

Til and Gur combined and make Ladoos:-

The best and iconic combination of sesame seeds and jaggery is a full package of energy. 

• Til Ladoo: this is a staple food that is full of taste, fats, energy, and the sweetness that does not harm you because it is jaggery, and the best alternative option.
  
• Gajak and Rewri: Best for winter, and the crunchy texture makes it more tasty than anything else. 

In festivals and during rush Train food delivery  becomes so difficult, but with the train food delivery app like RailRestro becomes your saviour. 

Regional Delicacies served that you can relish during festivals 

There are different beliefs and culinary habits that depend on region to region. 

• Khichdi: In the UP and Bihar regions, they often prepare or love to have Khichdi. They added 5 different types of lentil and combined with rice and spices, seasonal vegetables, and served with chokha and ghee is mandatory.
• Sakkarai Pongal: This is mostly eaten in the south and prepared with fresh and newly harvested rice, moong dal, jaggery, and cashew. It is a sweet dish. It is prepared especially for Pongal 2026.
• Puran Poli: The most tender and fulfilling dish eaten in Maharashtra during Makar Sankranti food.
  If you are travelling with friends or family, you can easily relish and order group food order by the RailRestro app.

Before ordering your food during the festival, check the Train schedule  in advance for a smooth onboard and timely delivery of food during rush time. To connect with the traditions, Makar Sankranti food items are substantiation that connect with the traditional flavours of Makar Sankranti. These ingredients help to keep you warm and boost your immunity, as they have plenty of benefits. 

Travel News: Getting Home for the Holidays

As we know, during mid-January highest number of people commute from one place to another in India, and they are heading back to their hometown. To manage the rush, the Indian Railway decides to meet the demand and launches 150 special trains. 

Once you’re done with your booking, you can book your meal through Train food order app and even relish the festive meal during your train journey. 

Festival Special Trains 2026

This is the major route where a special train runs:- 

During festivals, the rush increases, and it becomes more difficult to handle the crowd. So, to manage the rush South Central Railway (SCR) and other zones cordially decided to launch 150 festive special trains. The festive season is no longer tiring now that you have newly launched trains and can easily book your seat and head towards your hometown. These trains connect major centers like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai.


In recent news, Bengaluru is set to get 3 more trains to West Bengal, including the high-speed Amrit Bharat Express. This is a significant boon for the migrant workforce and families planning to celebrate together. If you are looking for a festival special train, it is advised to book well in advance, as tickets for the Pongal 2026 date (January 14–17) tend to sell out months ahead.

Pongal 2026: The Four Days of Festivities

Happy Pongal wishes make your Pongal happier and blissful.

Planning Your Makar Sankranti 2026

If you are planning to celebrate Makar Sankranti 2026, there are a lot of checklist items and a lot of planning:-  

• Dates: Mark January 14th for the main Sankranti rituals. Makar Sankranti is celebrated on 14th January. 
• Travel: Just focus on the festive special train, and the booking window opens 60-90 days in advance. With the increased demand for pongal 2026. 
• Decor: Prepare a beautiful Rangoli for Makar Sankranti or Pongal Kolam.
• Spot your train before you head towards your hometown.

Conclusion

Makar Sankranti is the indication of prosperity and the connection between the universe and the earth. These festivals are differently known in every corner of Indian, and people celebrate them with full enthusiasm and joy. It is all about togetherness and dedicating its aura and energy to the sun. It also indicates the hard work of farmers and the sweetness of full merger with the people and community. Til and Gur are the essence of Makar Sankranti 2026; it’s all about putting yourself forward with love and gratitude. 

FAQs on Planning Your Makar Sankranti 2026 Trip? 

Q. Why do we celebrate Makar Sankranti?

Ans. We celebrate Makar Sankranti because it shows the journey of the sun. As it travels from the southern to the Northern Hemisphere and Hindus consider as an auspicious time.

Q. Is Makar Sankranti on 14 or 15?

Ans. Most people are confused between the date is celebrated on the 14th or 15th January. If you follow the Drik Panchang so it shows Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on 14th January 2026. Makar Sankranti logically falls on 14th January.