If you grew up celebrating Makar Sankranti, you likely remember it as the one Indian festival that stayed “fixed” on January 14th. Unlike Diwali or Holi, which dance around the calendar, Sankranti felt like an anchor. However, you’ve probably noticed that in recent years (including this year) the celebration has increasingly shifted to January 15th.
Here is the fascinating science behind the drift.
The Cosmic Wobble
The primary culprit is a phenomenon known as the Precession of the Equinoxes. As the earth rotates, it also slightly “wobbles” in a slow circle. Because of this wobble, the Earth’s position in relation to the fixed stars shifts by about 1° every 72 years. (i.e. is about one day in 71 years.)
Seasons vs. Stars
The Gregorian calendar is designed to stay in sync with the seasons. The “scientific” winter solstice (the shortest day of the year) is based on the Earth’s tilt, it is fixed, and happens on December 21st.
The Hindu calendar (specifically the Nirayana system) tracks the Sun’s position relative to specific constellations.
Years ago, Makar Sankranti and the Winter Solstice happened on the same day. But because of that “wobble,” the star-based date (Sankranti) has been slowly pulling away from the season-based date.
- In the year 285 AD, it was on December 21st
- By the 1800s, it moved to January 12th
- Today it’s mostly the 14th/15th January
- and in a few hundred years, we will be flying kites in February!
Essentially, Makar Sankranti marks the Sun’s entry into the Capricorn constellation, a date that continues to drift over centuries, while “Uttarayan”—the actual start of the Sun’s northward journey in the sky—remains fixed in the Gregorian calendar on December 21st.
Irrespective of the date or the calendar we follow, may the Sun’s transition into Capricorn bring a transition of joy into your home. As we share the sweetness of Tilgul, may we also share the warmth of new beginnings and brighter days.
Happy Makar Sankranti!
Added complications
• The Gregorian Calendar plays catch-up by adding leap days every 4 years this also results in moving the dates.
• In 2026, the Sun officially enters Capricorn on January 14th at approximately 3:13 PM ; some calendars consider the exact moment, but others consider Udaya Tithi – the first sunrise in Capricorn, which is the January 15th
• 2026 twist – January 14th, 2026 is Shattila Ekadashi and hence some traditions choose to push the celebrations to the next day.
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