Makar Sankranti 2027 is listed on Thursday, 14 January by most calendars, but the Sun’s move into Capricorn happens late that evening, so some panchangs place the observance on Friday, 15 January. It is a solar festival, so the date usually falls on 14 or 15 January. Book flights early and keep your dates flexible until you confirm the local date.
Updated October 2026 · HappyFares
Makar Sankranti is celebrated across India under different names. This guide explains why the date can vary and how to plan the flight.
When is Makar Sankranti in 2027?
Calendar sources list Makar Sankranti 2027 on Thursday, 14 January. The festival marks the Sun’s transition into Capricorn (Makara), and panchang listings put that moment at around 9 pm on 14 January. Since it happens after sunset, several panchangs treat Friday, 15 January as the day for the main observance. Neither date is wrong, so go by your local panchang, family tradition or temple announcement.
- Wednesday, 13 January 2027: Lohri
- Thursday, 14 January 2027: Makar Sankranti in most calendars
- Friday, 15 January 2027: Thai Pongal in listings for India, and the alternative Sankranti observance
What are the regional names?
The same turn of the season is celebrated under different names:
- Pongal in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry
- Magh Bihu (Bhogali Bihu) in Assam
- Uttarayan in Gujarat, known for its kite festival
- Lohri and Maghi in Punjab
- Khichdi in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
- Sankranti in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
Because each region marks the festival in its own way, local dates can be a day apart. Thai Pongal is listed on Friday, 15 January 2027 for India, and it is the main day of a multi-day Pongal celebration that starts with Bhogi. Confirm the day with your family or a local panchang, especially if you plan to travel for one particular ceremony.
Which routes get busy around Sankranti?
People travel to their home states for the festival, so flights between big work cities and home towns in the south, the west and the east tend to see strong demand. Without publishing numbers, a safe rule is that the days just before the festival are busiest for departures, and the days after it for returns. January also follows the year-end holiday season, which keeps flights busy in the weeks before.
Gujarat’s Uttarayan draws many visitors who want to watch or join in the kite flying. Pongal draws people back to Tamil Nadu. In every case the principle is the same: book early, and compare the days around the peak.
How to plan your Sankranti flights
- Decide the date that matters to you first, using your family’s panchang, then book the flight around it.
- Book the outbound and return together. Return flights after a festival long weekend tend to fill up as the date nears.
- Check nearby days. Leaving a day early or flying in the morning may be cheaper than the most popular slot.
- Consider a flexible fare if the festival date is not fixed for your family. IndiGo offers Saver and Flexi Plus, Akasa Air offers Saver and Flexi, and Air India and Air India Express offer Value, Classic and Flex.
- Set a price alert for your route and watch it for a few days before booking.
Web check-in and airport check-in are free on Indian airlines. Do the web check-in as soon as it opens and arrive at the airport with enough time for the festival rush. January mornings in north India can bring fog, which can delay flights, so keep a buffer if you have a connection.
What else should you check before booking?
Look at your leave dates and your family’s plans. Holiday lists differ by state and employer, so check your own calendar. If your company follows a state holiday list, compare it with the date you plan to celebrate.
Think about the whole itinerary as well. Many people combine Sankranti with Pongal or Magh Bihu celebrations at home, and plans can stretch over several days. If you need to be in two places, a one-way ticket for each leg can be more flexible than a single return.
Finally, keep your documents handy. Carry a valid photo ID for every adult, and for children as per the airline’s rules. Check the baggage allowance on your fare, since gifts, sweets and festival clothes can add weight quickly.
Common Questions
Is Makar Sankranti on 14 or 15 January in 2027?
Most calendars list Thursday, 14 January. Because the Sun enters Capricorn late on 14 January, some panchangs observe it on Friday, 15 January. Check your local panchang.
Why does the date change?
Makar Sankranti follows the Sun’s movement rather than the lunar calendar, so it stays close to 14 or 15 January each year. Whether it lands on the 14th or the 15th depends on the exact time of the transit and the local rules.
When is Pongal in 2027?
Thai Pongal is listed on Friday, 15 January 2027 for India, with Bhogi the day before. Check a Tamil panchang for the exact days.
Are flights more expensive around Sankranti?
Fares for busy festival dates usually rise as seats fill. The effect depends on your route and how early you book.
Can I change my ticket if the date shifts?
Only as per the fare rules. Flexible fares usually allow changes at lower or no cost, but terms differ by airline, so read them before you book.
Is check-in free?
Yes. With Indian airlines, both web check-in and airport check-in are free.
Planning your Sankranti trip? Search and compare flights on HappyFares, with zero convenience fee on domestic bookings. Set a price alert or ask Meera, our AI assistant, to help you pick dates.
Festival dates, fares and airline rules change. Verify current details with the airline, DGCA or the airport before you travel.
