Overview
- Major outlets citing Drik Panchang resolve public uncertainty by confirming the festival falls on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
- The sankranti moment is reported at 3:13 PM, marking the Sun’s transition into Capricorn and the start of Uttarayan in Hindu tradition.
- Reports list auspicious periods beginning at the sankranti moment, with CNBC-TV18 citing Punya Kaal from 3:13–5:45 PM and Maha Punya Kaal from 3:13–4:58 PM, while Times Now lists Punya Kaal until 6:18 PM and Maha Punya Kaal until 5:04 PM.
- The date is determined by the solar calendar rather than the lunar calendar, which keeps it near January 14 most years, though recent years have sometimes placed observance on January 15.
- Customary practices include holy dips in sacred rivers—especially the Ganga—offerings to the Sun, donations of sesame, jaggery and warm clothing, and regional traditions such as kite flying, with bathing believed to bring spiritual purification.