Explore Makar Sankranti 2026: Pongal & Uttarayan history, significance & why Indians celebrate UK, with clear explanations for students, professionals and teachers.

Makar Sankranti 2026: Pongal & Uttarayan History, Significance & Why Indians Celebrate UK

In the 2021 Census, about 1.86 million people in England and Wales identified as Indian by ethnicity, around 3.5% of the population (Office for National Statistics). Add Indian‑origin children born in Britain, and tens of thousands of Indian students and professionals who’ve arrived since, and it’s clear that Indian festivals now form a visible part of UK public life.

One of the most important of these is the mid‑January festival cluster that includes Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Uttarayan, Lohri and Magh Bihu. Together they mark the Sun’s slow turn towards longer, brighter days and the end of the coldest part of the year.

Yet many people in Britain—including some British‑born Indians—are unsure what these names mean, how they are connected, or why anyone still celebrates a “harvest festival” in a country where most people buy their food from supermarkets.

This guide explains Makar Sankranti 2026: Pongal & Uttarayan History, Significance & Why Indians Celebrate UK in clear, accessible language. It is written for:

• Students who meet these festivals in RE, history or PSHE
• Professionals and employers who want to understand colleagues and clients
• Curious Britons who see posters for Pongal or kite festivals and want context
• Educators designing assemblies or lessons on multicultural Britain

You’ll learn:

• What Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Uttarayan are, and how they are linked
• Their historical and cultural roots in India
• Why they still matter in 2026, especially in the UK context
• How Indian communities in Britain celebrate today
• How non‑Indian Britons and schools can engage respectfully and thoughtfully

What Is Makar Sankranti? (The One‑Minute Answer)

In one simple paragraph:

Makar Sankranti is an Indian festival that marks the Sun’s entry into the zodiac sign of Makara (Capricorn). It symbolises the start of a brighter half of the year, the end of the coldest days, and a time to thank nature for the harvest, share food, and renew social ties.

Breaking that down:

• Makar = Capricorn
• Sankranti = movement or transition (of the Sun)
• It is one of the few Hindu festivals based on the solar calendar, so it usually falls on 14 or 15 January each year.

Around this date, depending on region, Indians celebrate:

• Makar Sankranti (North, West and Central India)
• Pongal (Tamil Nadu and Tamil communities worldwide)
• Uttarayan (especially in Gujarat)
• Lohri (Punjab, often the night before Sankranti)
• Magh Bihu (Assam)
• Poush Sankranti (Bengal and Odisha)

They look very different on the surface—bonfires in Punjab, kites in Gujarat, pots of boiling rice in Tamil Nadu—but they are all linked to the same solar turning point.

For a short, official overview of Makar Sankranti and other festivals, India’s national portal is a good starting point:

• https://www.india.gov.in (search “Makar Sankranti”).

When Is Makar Sankranti 2026 in the UK?

Because it is solar‑based, Makar Sankranti falls on a near‑fixed date in the Gregorian calendar (the same system used in the UK). In most years it is on 14 January; sometimes the 15th.

For 2026, traditional Indian panchang (calendars) place Makar Sankranti around 14–15 January 2026.

In practical UK terms, that means:

• Temples and religious groups will often mark the exact sankranti time (based on astronomical calculations) with special pujas on or very near 14–15 January 2026.
• Community associations, schools and universities may move large public events—Pongal nights, Lohri shows, or kite days—to the closest weekend so that people are free from school and work.

To know the precise date and time your local community will observe, you’ll need to check:

• Your local temple’s 2026 festival calendar (many publish these online)
• Regional associations’ social media pages closer to January 2026

Because the Sun’s movement is a global phenomenon, the astronomical moment of Makar Sankranti is the same for Indians in Delhi and Leicester alike—only the clock time differs by time zone.

Pongal, Uttarayan, Lohri & More: Many Names, One Solar Moment

Makar Sankranti (North, West, Central India)

In Hindi‑speaking states (Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh) and many western states like Maharashtra:

• People bathe in rivers (seen as spiritually cleansing)
• Eat and share sweets made of sesame (til) and jaggery (gur)
• Make khichdi (rice and lentils) or other simple, hearty dishes
• Give to charity—food, clothes or money—to mark a new cycle with generosity

In Maharashtra, people say: “Tilgul ghya, god god bola”—“Take this sweet; speak sweetly.”

Pongal (Tamil Nadu and Tamil diaspora)

For Tamils in India, Sri Lanka and overseas (including London, Leicester and beyond):

• Pongal is a four‑day harvest festival
  • Bhogi – clearing out old things and negativity
  • Thai Pongal – main day of thanks to the Sun
  • Mattu Pongal – honouring cows and bulls
  • Kaanum Pongal – social visits and outings

The key ritual is cooking a dish called pongal—fresh rice and milk boiled in a pot until it deliberately boils over. People call out “Pongalo Pongal!” as it overflows, symbolising abundance and prosperity.

Courtyards and doorsteps are decorated with kolam (geometric designs drawn with rice flour or chalk), inviting auspiciousness and beauty.

Uttarayan (Gujarat)

In Gujarat, the festival is strongly identified with Uttarayan (literally, the Sun’s northward journey). It is famous for:

• All‑day kite flying from rooftops and fields
• Special dishes like undhiyu (slow‑cooked mixed vegetables) and jalebi (sweet spirals)
• A carnival atmosphere: music, friendly competition, family gatherings

A kite high in the sky, still tied to the ground by a string, is often seen as a symbol for human life—aspiring upwards while remaining grounded.

Lohri (Punjab, often the night before)

In Punjab and among Punjabi Sikhs and Hindus in Britain:

• Lohri is celebrated on the evening before Makar Sankranti (13 January).
• A bonfire is lit; people gather round, sing folk songs, and throw sesame, groundnuts and sweets into the fire.
• It is associated with the end of the coldest days and the arrival of longer daylight.

Magh Bihu and Poush Sankranti

In Assam, Magh Bihu (or Bhogali Bihu) and in Bengal Poush Sankranti mark the same period with:

• Feasts, rice cakes, sweets and community bonfires
• In Assam, temporary bamboo structures (meji) are burnt as part of the ritual

To a British observer, it may seem like India has half a dozen separate festivals in one week. But all of them are connected to Makar Sankranti 2026: Pongal & Uttarayan History, Significance & Why Indians Celebrate UK because they share:

• The same solar turning point
• The same broad themes of light, harvest and new beginnings

Historical and Cultural Roots

Watching the Sun, reading the seasons

Long before modern science, communities in South Asia watched the Sun’s path across the sky to organise farming and religious life.

They noticed that:

• Days are shortest and nights longest around the winter solstice
• After that, the Sun appears to climb higher in the sky day by day
• This upward movement could be divided into phases, including the period when it was seen as entering Makara (Capricorn)

In Vedic and later Hindu thought, this period is called Uttarayana (northern journey). Texts like the Bhagavad Gita (8.24) mention souls travelling in the “bright half of the year” and Uttarayana, suggesting auspiciousness.

From cosmology to community festival

Over centuries, these observations combined with:

• The agricultural cycle—particularly winter harvests in many parts of India
• Regional customs around giving thanks to the Sun, rivers, cattle and land
• The development of a pan‑Indian sense of shared time, even with diverse local traditions

The result is a family of festivals that:

• Track a real astronomical event (the Sun’s apparent movement), and
• Layer it with religious meanings, local food, music and community practices

For a concise explanation of India’s use of solar and lunar calendars together, see the Government of India’s material on the national calendar:

• https://archive.india.gov.in (search “Indian National Calendar”).

Why Makar Sankranti 2026 Matters in the UK Context

Seasonal and psychological significance

In Britain, January can be one of the hardest months:

• Post‑Christmas and New Year comedown
• Short days and long, dark evenings
• Cold, damp weather and seasonal illnesses

For many Indian British people, marking Makar Sankranti 2026: Pongal & Uttarayan History, Significance & Why Indians Celebrate UK is a way to:

• Notice and celebrate the lengthening of days
• Bring colour, light and sweetness into homes and community halls
• Encourage a mental reset: “The worst of winter is passing; let’s look ahead with hope.”

Identity and belonging in multicultural Britain

The ONS reports that London, Leicester and parts of the Midlands and North West now have:

• Very high proportions of residents of Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and other Asian heritage
• Neighbourhoods where Indian languages, temples and shops are part of everyday life

In this context, Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Lohri:

• Help British‑born Indian children see their heritage celebrated, not hidden
• Give families ways to talk about the history and geography of India
• Allow individuals to express a hybrid identity—fully British and fully connected to Indian roots

Educational value for schools and universities

For educators, Makar Sankranti 2026 UK can support learning in:

• Religious Education (RE) – exploring Hinduism and Sikhism in lived practice
• Geography – understanding climate, agriculture and festivals around the world
• History and Citizenship – discussing migration, identity and multicultural Britain

Government guidance emphasises promoting mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs as part of “British values” in schools. Using real festivals like Pongal or Uttarayan in lessons and assemblies can make that principle tangible.

Useful overview on British values in education:

• UK Government, “Promoting fundamental British values”: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/promoting-fundamental-british-values

How Indians Celebrate Makar Sankranti in the UK Today

Celebrations obviously adapt to:

• British weather (cold and wet in January)
• British school and work schedules
• Available temples and community spaces

But the core elements of gratitude, light, sharing and new beginnings often remain.

Temples, gurdwaras and community halls

Across London, Leicester, Manchester and other cities, you’ll likely find:

• Special pujas for Makar Sankranti in Hindu temples, with distribution of prasad (blessed food).
• Pongal celebrations at temples with Tamil priestly traditions, including cooking pongal on temple grounds or in halls.
• Lohri functions in gurdwaras and community centres, sometimes with controlled indoor or garden bonfires (where regulations allow).

Announcements typically appear on:

• Temple websites and Facebook pages
• Notice boards and WhatsApp groups

Schools and universities

In areas with many Indian origin pupils or students, you might see:

• School assemblies where children explain Pongal, Lohri or kite festivals.
• Classroom activities such as:
  • Making paper kites
  • Learning about the Sun’s path and seasons
  • Trying simple upma, pongal or sweets in cooking sessions

At universities, Indian societies may:

• Organise Pongal nights with food and music
• Hold social gatherings around 14–15 January under broader “harvest festival” themes

Home‑based celebrations

A large part of Makar Sankranti 2026: Pongal & Uttarayan History, Significance & Why Indians Celebrate UK will happen quietly at home:

• Preparing traditional dishes (pongal, tilgul, chikki, khichdi)
• Lighting lamps and saying a short prayer
• Sharing sweets with neighbours and friends
• Calling or video‑chatting relatives in India

In apartments where open flames or smoke are a concern, many families use LED tealights and adapt rituals to be safe for UK housing conditions.

Guidance for Educators: Using Makar Sankranti in the Classroom

For teachers and lecturers, this festival cluster offers rich material. Here are some practical ideas.

In primary schools

• Story time – read or tell a simple story about a child celebrating Pongal or Lohri in India or the UK.
• Art & design – create paper kites, rangoli patterns or kolam using chalk or coloured rice.
• Science link – use the festival as a hook to talk about day length, the Sun’s path and seasons. The UK Met Office has child‑friendly resources on seasons and daylight:
  • https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/learn-about/weather/seasons

In secondary schools

• RE/RS lessons – explore how a single solar event leads to diverse religious and cultural expressions.
• Geography – compare climate and crops in India versus the UK and discuss why harvest festivals look different.
• Citizenship/PSHE – invite students of Indian heritage to share how they and their families experience these festivals in Britain; connect to themes of identity and belonging.

In universities & FE colleges

• Encourage student‑led events where:
  • Indian societies explain Pongal or Uttarayan to peers.
  • Non‑Indians are encouraged to attend and ask questions.
• Use the festivals to launch discussions in:
  • Anthropology and sociology (diaspora, ritual, change)
  • Religious studies (lived religion, syncretism)

Guidance for Employers & Colleagues

In workplaces with Indian origin staff, Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Lohri offer opportunities for:

• Informal cultural awareness – allowing team members to share festival stories or food.
• Staff networks – diaspora or faith networks may organise lunchtime talks or tasting sessions.

Good practices might include:

• Allowing people flexibility to attend temple or community events around mid‑January when possible.
• Inviting volunteers (not pressuring anyone) to present short “festival spotlights” to colleagues.
• Using events as a chance to talk about seasonal wellbeing, given that January is hard for many people regardless of background.

10‑Step Personal Plan: Exploring Makar Sankranti 2026 in the UK

Whether you’re Indian, non‑Indian, a student, teacher or professional, here’s a simple plan to engage with Makar Sankranti 2026: Pongal & Uttarayan History, Significance & Why Indians Celebrate UK.

1. Learn the basics (15–20 minutes)
   • Read a concise article on Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Uttarayan (for example from https://www.india.gov.in).
2. Mark the dates
   • Put 14–15 January 2026 and the nearest weekend into your calendar with a reminder.
3. Identify a nearby temple or community group
   • Use Google or local knowledge to locate one or two Hindu temples, gurdwaras or Indian associations near you.
4. Check their January 2026 programmes
   • Look out for mentions of Sankranti, Pongal, Lohri, Uttarayan in their events lists.
5. Choose one event to attend
   • Pick something manageable according to your schedule and location—could be a short temple puja, a school event, or a community night.
6. Try one traditional food
   • Make or taste something typical: pongal, tilgul, chikki, undhiyu, or sweets linked to Lohri or Bihu.
7. Talk to someone who celebrates
   • Ask a friend, colleague or student: “How do you or your family mark Makar Sankranti or Pongal in the UK?” and listen.
8. Reflect on parallels
   • Compare these festivals to British ones you know: harvest festival, Bonfire Night, New Year, Easter. What is similar? What is different?
9. Share your learning
   • Tell a family member, or share a short, respectful post or class discussion about what you found most interesting.
10. Plan a deeper step for next year
    • Maybe you’ll read more history, join a student or staff network, cook a dish yourself, or attend a larger festival outside your town. Write this intention down.

Related Guides :

1. Makar Sankranti 2026 UK: How to Celebrate in London, Leicester & Manchester
2. Republic Day 2026 Celebrations Near Me UAE: Events in Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Sharjah
3. Makar Sankranti 2026 Celebrations Near Me USA: Kite Flying & Temple Events
4. Makar Sankranti 2026: Pongal & Uttarayan History, Significance & Why Indians Celebrate
5. Makar Sankranti 2026 USA: How to Celebrate in California, Texas & New York

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Makar Sankranti a public holiday in the UK?

No.

Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Uttarayan and related festivals are not official public holidays in the UK. People usually:

• Go to work or school as normal
• Attend temple or community events in the evenings or at weekends

Is Makar Sankranti only a Hindu festival?

It is rooted in Hindu religious and agricultural traditions, but in practice:

• Many Indian people who are not especially religious still celebrate it as a cultural and seasonal festival.
• In some places, people of other religions also join in kite flying, food and social events as part of local custom.

So while its theology is Hindu, its cultural reach is wider, especially in diaspora settings like the UK.

How is Makar Sankranti different from Diwali or Holi?

• Diwali celebrates the victory of light over darkness, often linked to stories of Rama or Lakshmi.
• Holi is a spring festival of colours, connected to myths of Krishna and others.
• Makar Sankranti is tied directly to the Sun’s movement and the agricultural cycle, focusing on harvest, gratitude and seasonal transition.

All three are major festivals, but their myths, timing and themes differ significantly.

Are kites allowed in UK parks for Uttarayan‑style celebrations?

It depends on local rules and weather.

• Some parks allow kite flying as long as it’s safe and doesn’t disturb other users.
• Others may have restrictions due to wildlife, power lines or crowded conditions.

Always check your local council’s park regulations or websites before planning a kite event. And never use dangerous strings (glass‑coated or metallic).

How can I incorporate Makar Sankranti into my teaching without promoting religion?

You can focus on:

• Seasonal change and astronomy – longer days, the Sun’s apparent path, comparison with solstices and equinoxes.
• History and geography – how different cultures mark harvest and seasonal transitions.
• Personal stories and identity – inviting pupils to share experiences while being clear that participation in religious aspects (prayers, offerings) is optional.

Frame it as learning about culture and belief, not as an act of faith.

Conclusion: A Living Tradition in a Changing Britain

At first, Makar Sankranti 2026: Pongal & Uttarayan History, Significance & Why Indians Celebrate UK may sound like a specialist subject for RE classrooms or diaspora WhatsApp groups. But looked at more closely, it opens up themes that matter to everyone in modern Britain:

• How we mark the turning of the seasons and the return of light
• How we express gratitude for food and community in an age of supermarkets and screens
• How people with roots in different parts of the world build a sense of home and identity in the same cities and streets

For Indian British families, these festivals are living threads connecting them to grandparents’ fields, small town rooftops and temple courtyards. For curious Britons and educators, they’re an opportunity to see beyond stereotypes and understand how global traditions adapt in new landscapes.

You don’t need to become a kite‑flying expert or cook a perfect pot of pongal to take something from Makar Sankranti 2026. It may be enough to:

• Notice the longer days
• Taste a sesame sweet
• Listen to a friend’s story
• Or bring a little more light and warmth into the places you live and work

How might you use this mid‑January turning point—to learn, to teach, or simply to appreciate the many ways people in the UK welcome a new season?