Makar Sankranti 2026: Rare coincidence of Makar Sankranti and Shattila Ekadashi on January 14, know what to donate and what to avoid

The festival of Makar Sankranti in 2026 falls on January 14 alongside Shattila Ekadashi, creating a rare spiritual alignment. Experts share essential guidelines on what items to avoid, what to consume, and what to donate on this auspicious day.

In Sanatan tradition, both Makar Sankranti and the Shattila Ekadashi fast hold immense spiritual and religious significance. According to the Panchang, the festival of Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on January 14, 2026, and what makes this occasion particularly special is that it coincides with the Shattila Ekadashi fast dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Regarding what precautions people should observe on this day and which items are auspicious to donate, prominent astrologer Pandit Deeplal Jaipurli from Ambala has shared several essential insights.

Auspicious Muhurat and Timing for Bathing and Donation
Astrologer Pandit Deeplal Jaipurli stated that this year the festival of Makar Sankranti will be observed on January 14. According to the calendar calculations, the Punya Kaal for Makar Sankranti will last from 9:03 AM to 5:46 PM in the evening. Meanwhile, the Maha Punya Kaal is scheduled from 9:03 AM to 10:48 AM in the morning. Taking a holy bath and making donations during this specific timeframe destroys a person's sins and increases wealth and prosperity, provided certain important precautions are kept in mind.

Items to Avoid Consuming
On January 14, 2026, coinciding with Makar Sankranti and Shattila Ekadashi, one must strictly avoid consuming certain food items. On this day, people should stay away from rice, grains, onions, salt, garlic, and lentils. Furthermore, any kind of tamasic food must not be consumed. Cooking oil options such as sesame oil, mustard oil, canola oil, and soybean oil should also be avoided for food preparation. Disregarding these guidelines can not only displease Lord Vishnu but also deprive the devotee of the merits of Shattila Ekadashi worship.

Permissible Foods and Dietary Choices
On this special day, individuals can consume sesame seeds, jaggery, peanuts, seasonal fruits, seasonal vegetables, sabudana, items made from buckwheat, milk, coconut, and water chestnuts. Additionally, use rock salt instead of regular salt in food. Cooking can be done using pure ghee, olive oil, or sunflower oil, maintaining both health standards and religious propriety.

Items That Must Not Be Donated
On the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti and Shattila Ekadashi on January 14, 2026, donating certain items should be avoided. Donating grains (especially rice), iron items, salt, tamasic food, sharp objects, and oil is discouraged. Doing so can increase negative energy within the household and accumulate negative karma instead of merit.

Auspicious Items for Donation
During this rare alignment of Makar Sankranti and Shattila Ekadashi, several items are considered highly meritorious to give in charity. On this day, people can donate fruits, vegetables, clothing, religious items, water, jaggery, sesame seeds, milk, money, umbrellas, footwear, peanuts, and yellow-colored items, which bring immense spiritual rewards and blessings.

What this means for you
Observing the dietary and donation guidelines during this rare coincidence of Makar Sankranti and Shattila Ekadashi brings positive energy and spiritual benefits to households.

• Across India: People across the country will follow traditional rules of bathing, fasting, and charity on January 14, 2026. Adhering to these guidelines helps maintain domestic peace and financial prosperity.
• In Ambala: Local devotees in Ambala will perform charity and worship rituals according to the auspicious muhurat guided by astrologer Pandit Deeplal Jaipurli. This ensures that local residents receive the full spiritual rewards of this special observance.

Why this happened
The simultaneous occurrence of Makar Sankranti and Shattila Ekadashi is based on calendar calculations and solar positioning, which gives its governing rules high religious significance in Sanatan tradition.

• Calendar Alignment: This rare spiritual combination occurs because the date of the Sun's transit into Capricorn coincides with the Ekadashi tithi.
• Religious Tradition: Ancient scriptures prohibit consuming rice and tamasic items on Ekadashi, while specific donation rules apply to Sankranti.
• Adherence to Rules: Following these scriptural prohibitions helps dispel negative energy and secures the special blessings of Lord Vishnu.

Questions & Answers

1. When is Makar Sankranti 2026?
The festival of Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on January 14, 2026.

2. Which fast coincides with Makar Sankranti this year?
The Shattila Ekadashi fast dedicated to Lord Vishnu falls on the same day.

3. When is the auspicious time for bathing and charity?
The Punya Kaal will last from 9:03 AM to 5:46 PM, and the Maha Punya Kaal is from 9:03 AM to 10:48 AM.

4. What food items should be avoided on this day?
Rice, grains, onions, salt, garlic, lentils, and any tamasic food should be avoided.

5. What items should not be donated?
Grains especially rice, iron items, salt, tamasic food, sharp objects, and oil should not be donated.

6. What items are auspicious to donate on this day?
Fruits, vegetables, clothing, religious items, water, jaggery, sesame seeds, milk, money, umbrellas, footwear, peanuts, and yellow items are auspicious to donate.

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