Why does the date of Makar Sankranti remain the same every year? Know the scientific and religious secret hidden behind it

Makar Sankranti 2026: Most of the festivals celebrated in India are based on the lunar calendar, so their dates vary every year. But makar sankranti There is a festival which occurs almost every year. 14 or 15 January The question is that when the dates of other festivals change, why does the date of Makar Sankranti remain constant? There is a deep scientific and religious reason hidden behind it.

Makar Sankranti is based on solar calculations, not lunar calendar (Makar Sankranti 2026)

Makar Sankranti is one of the few festivals of India which speed of sun Most of the Hindu festivals are decided according to the position of the moon, while Makar Sankranti solar calendar That is, it is celebrated according to the movement of the Sun.

sun on this day Exiting Sagittarius and entering Capricorn Which is called Makar Sankranti in astrology. This zodiac change of the Sun happens around the same time every year, hence there is not much change in its date.

Auspicious beginning of Uttarayan

Since Makar Sankranti the sun Uttarayan speed That is, after this day the Sun starts moving from south to north. According to religious beliefs, Uttarayan day of the gods is called
And it is considered very auspicious.

It is also mentioned in Mahabharata that Bhishma Pitamah He had chosen the Uttarayan period for his death, because death at this time is considered to be a means of salvation.

Festival related to seasonal change and agriculture

Makar Sankranti is not only related to religion, but agriculture and seasonal changes At this time the Rabi crop starts getting ready and it is a sign of prosperity for the farmers.

This is the reason why this festival is celebrated with different names in different parts of the country-

• Pongal – Tamil Nadu
• Uttarayan – Gujarat
• Lohri – Punjab
• Bhogali Bihu – Assam

The names may be different, but this Sankranti of the Sun is the basis of all the festivals.

Why sometimes 14th and sometimes 15th January?

The date of Makar Sankranti is usually on 14 January, but Leap year and earth’s movement due to
Sometimes it is also celebrated on 15 January. In the coming years it may gradually shift towards 15 January, but still there will not be much change in it.
As much as happens in moon based festivals.

The date of Makar Sankranti does not change because it Festival based on Sun, not Moon The steady movement of the Sun, the beginning of Uttarayan, religious beliefs and agricultural cycles—all these reasons make it a special and scientifically important festival.

This is the reason why Makar Sankranti is not only a festival of faith but also a unique festival related to astronomy and nature.