Also known as: Sankranti · Uttarayan · Maghi · Magh Bihu
Johannesburg timings
Date
Thursday, January 14, 2027
Thursday
Sunrise
5:29 AM
Sunset
7:03 PM
Moonrise
11:03 AM
Moonset
10:52 PM
Shubh muhurat in Johannesburg
Abhijit Muhurat11:49 AM – 12:43 PM
Rahu Kaal — avoid1:58 PM – 3:40 PM
The tradition names no separate muhurat for this festival — it is observed through the day. Abhijit is the day’s generally auspicious window and Rahu Kaal the one to avoid.
Makar Sankranti marks the Sun’s entry into Makara (Capricorn) and the start of Uttarayana, its six-month northward journey. It is one of the few Hindu festivals fixed to the solar calendar rather than the Moon, which is why it stays within a day of 14 January every year while the lunar festivals roam across weeks.
How it is observed
The day is kept as a harvest thanksgiving under many names — Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Uttarayan in Gujarat, Magh Bihu in Assam, Maghi in Punjab — with sesame and jaggery sweets, ritual bathing in rivers, and kite-flying.
Makar Sankranti 2027 in Johannesburg is on Thursday, January 14, 2027.
Is Makar Sankranti 2027 on the same day in Johannesburg as in India?
No. Makar Sankranti is on Jan 14, 2027 in Johannesburg but Jan 15, 2027 in India. The tithi begins at one moment worldwide, and that moment lands on a different local day in each place.
What else is Makar Sankranti called?
Makar Sankranti is also known as Sankranti, Uttarayan, Maghi, Magh Bihu. These are regional names and spellings for the same festival.