Makar Sankranti 2025 in the UK: Date, Time, and Celebrations

Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on 14th January 2025, Tuesday. Discover UK-specific celebrations, rituals, and traditions, including key timings for temple events and the significance of this festival.

Introduction

Makar Sankranti is one of the most significant Hindu festivals that marks the transition of the Sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn, or ‘Makar’. This solar event, celebrated annually on 14th January, heralds longer days, symbolising the end of winter and the onset of the harvest season. In 2025, Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on Tuesday, 14th January, and is eagerly anticipated by Hindus worldwide, including the vibrant Hindu communities in the UK.

Makar Sankranti 2025 UK: Date and Time

Date: Tuesday, 14th January 2025

Punya Kala Muhurat: 08:00 to 16:20 (London time)

Maha Punya Kala Muhurat: 08:00 to 09:23 (London time)

These times are essential for Hindus in the UK who observe the auspicious period for rituals, prayers, and offerings. It is believed that taking a holy bath during the Punya Kala Muhurat washes away sins, and performing rituals at this time brings blessings of prosperity and well-being.

What is Makar Sankranti?

Makar Sankranti is a festival that signifies the Sun’s transition from the Southern Hemisphere to the Northern Hemisphere. This transition is seen as a symbol of positivity, growth, and the arrival of longer, warmer days. The Sun enters the Capricorn zodiac, marking a fresh beginning for farmers and those who depend on agriculture. The festival is celebrated with various customs, prayers, and delicious foods across India and by Hindu communities abroad.

In India, Makar Sankranti is celebrated under various names such as Uttarayan in Gujarat, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, and Maghi in Punjab. Although the celebrations vary regionally, the core message of gratitude for a bountiful harvest and hope for prosperity remains the same.

Makar Sankranti 2025 Celebrations in the UK

Hindus in the UK celebrate Makar Sankranti with similar fervour as in India, often gathering at temples for prayers and offering food to the deities. The festival is an opportunity for communities to come together, express gratitude, and celebrate the Sun's life-giving energy. Key activities include:

Kite Flying: Although it’s not as widespread in the UK due to weather constraints, some families engage in kite flying, which symbolises freedom and happiness. Communities in cities like Leicester, London, and Birmingham organise small events where families gather to fly colourful kites, mimicking the grand celebrations in Gujarat.

Temple Visits: Hindu temples in the UK, including the famous Neasden Temple in London, host special Makar Sankranti pujas (prayers) during the auspicious times. Devotees offer prayers to Surya Dev (the Sun God) and seek blessings for prosperity and health.

Traditional Foods: Makar Sankranti is synonymous with food made from freshly harvested crops. In the UK, Hindus prepare and enjoy traditional sweets like tilgul (sesame and jaggery laddoos), khichdi, and puran poli. These foods are not only delicious but also provide warmth and energy during the cold January days.

Significance of Makar Sankranti in 2025

Makar Sankranti holds immense spiritual significance. It marks the start of the sacred period where the Sun moves towards the Northern Hemisphere, signifying the arrival of spring and new beginnings. According to Vedic traditions, the Sun is seen as a symbol of light, knowledge, and wisdom. By celebrating Makar Sankranti, devotees express gratitude for nature’s bounty and pray for a prosperous year ahead.

Many people believe that performing spiritual activities on this day, like chanting the Gayatri Mantra and offering water (Argya) to the Sun, leads to the washing away of past sins and a brighter, more prosperous future.

How Makar Sankranti is Different from Other Festivals

While most Hindu festivals are based on the lunar calendar, Makar Sankranti is one of the few festivals that follows the solar calendar, which means it always falls on 14th January. This consistency makes it easier for people to prepare and celebrate the festival, unlike other festivals where dates fluctuate each year.

The significance of the Sun’s transition makes Makar Sankranti not only a harvest festival but also a time to reflect on personal growth and spiritual advancement. The festival marks a turning point, both in terms of the season and in the lives of those who observe it.

Customs and Rituals to Observe on Makar Sankranti 2025

For Hindus in the UK, observing the customs of Makar Sankranti can be a meaningful way to connect with their cultural heritage. Some important traditions include:

Taking a Holy Bath: It is believed that taking a bath during the Punya Kala or Maha Punya Kala brings spiritual purification.

Offering Prayers to the Sun: Devotees face the east and offer water, known as Argya, to the rising Sun while reciting the Gayatri Mantra. This ritual is a way of expressing gratitude for the Sun’s vital energy.

Sharing Tilgul Sweets: The phrase “Tilgul ghya, ani god bola,” meaning “Take tilgul and speak sweetly,” is exchanged among family and friends. These sweets made from sesame seeds and jaggery represent the essence of the festival—spreading love and positivity.

Donating to Charity: On this day, many people donate food, clothes, and other essentials to those in need. In the UK, Hindu communities often organise charity drives to help the less fortunate, reflecting the festival’s spirit of giving.

Where to Celebrate Makar Sankranti in London and the UK

Several Hindu temples and cultural centres across the UK host special events for Makar Sankranti. In London, popular locations include:

Neasden Temple: Hosts special prayers and food offerings for the festival.

BAPS Swaminarayan Temple: Known for its grand celebrations and delicious festive meals.

ISKCON Temples: Offer spiritual programmes and cultural activities, including kite flying and distribution of prasad (holy food).

Conclusion

Makar Sankranti 2025 is set to be celebrated with great enthusiasm in the UK, as it marks a period of new beginnings, prosperity, and spiritual growth. From kite flying to temple visits and delicious festive foods, the essence of this festival is one of unity, gratitude, and renewal.