Makar Sankranti

5 killed, 10 injured in head-on collision of van-tractor in Bhopal

Five persons were killed and 10 others injured when a van and a tractor trolley collided in Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal, police said on Thursday. The accident occurred late Wednesday night in the district's Berasia area, they said. The tractor trolley was carrying people returning from a holy bath in Narmadapuram on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. A pickup van headed for Narmadapuram and the tractor trolley collided head-on, Berasia police station inspector in-charge Vijendra Sen said. After being alerted, police rushed to the spot and pulled out passengers trapped in the damaged vehicles. Five van occupants, including three of a family, died on the spot. The deceased have been identified as Mukesh Ahirwar (40), Babri Bai (60), Deepak (14), Laxmi Bai (60), and Hari Bai (60), all residents of Sironj, the official said. Ten persons, including three children, from both vehicles were injured. They have been referred to Hamidia and other private hospitals in Bhopal for treatment.

Devotees take holy dip at Varanasi's Ganga ghat on occasion of Makar Sankranti

Watch devotees take holy dip at Varanasi's Ganga ghat on occasion of Makar Sankranti.

PM Modi greets nation on Makar Sankranti, Magh Bihu, and Uttarayan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday greeted the nation on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, a harvest festival celebrated in different parts of the country as per local traditions and customs. Makar Sankranti marks the transition of the Sun in the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makar), celebrated as a mid-winter harvest festival. "This sacred occasion of Sankranti is celebrated in various parts of the country according to local customs and traditions. I pray to Lord Surya for everyone's happiness, prosperity, and excellent health," Modi said in a post on X. "Heartfelt greetings on the auspicious occasion of Uttarayan! May this sacred festival of Makar Sankranti fill your life with happiness, and may everyone be blessed with good health and well-being," he said in a separate post on X. "May this joyful celebration also strengthen bonds of togetherness and usher in prosperity and positivity for all," the prime minister said. Modi also extended greetings on the occasion of Magh Bihu

Bank holiday today: Are banks closed on Jan 14 for Makar Sankranti 2026?

For the same festivals, banks in India celebrate holidays on various dates. For Makar Sankranti and Magh Bihu, banks in Gujarat, Odisha, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh will be closed on Jan 14, 2026

Happy Makar Sankranti 2026 wishes, messages and greetings to share

Makar Sankranti marks the transition to longer, brighter days and celebrates the spirit of harvest and renewal. Here are heartfelt wishes and greetings to share with your loved ones this season

Kite flying injuries during Makar Sankranti: What to do and what to avoid

Colourful skies mask serious dangers during Makar Sankranti. Expert outlines the most common kite-related injuries and the safety steps that can prevent them

Makar Sankranti 2026 date: Is it on January 14 or January 15? Know more

India and Nepal celebrate Makar Sankranti, a Hindu holiday. The end of winter and the beginning of a new agricultural cycle are marked by this harvest festival. Here's all you need to know

Lohri 2026 school holiday: Schools to stay shut across parts of North India

Many regions in North India will have school holidays for Lohri 2026. Students in Delhi, NCR, Punjab, and Haryana will celebrate Makar Sankranti and the festival with bonfires and kite flying

PM Modi extends greetings to people on Makar Sankranti, Bihu celebrations

On Tuesday, January 14, Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the nation on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. He also greeted Assamese people on Magh Bihu, a harvest festival

Weather in Prayagraj: Temperature dips in Prayagraj, devotees shiver

The India Meteorological Department predicts cold winds to blow at about 8 km/h in the Maha Kumbh Mela area. Devotees to face severe cold in the coming days

Makar Sankranti 2025: What is the importance of flying kites on this day?

kites Flying importance on Makar Sankranti 2025: People across the country fly multicoloured kites which is believed to be a way to express appreciation and gratitude to God

10 million devotees take dip in Sangam on 1st Amrit Snan of Maha Kumbh

The DGP further informed that apart from that, on the occasion of Makar Sankranti people in major cities across the state are doing Snan

PM Modi attends Makar Sankranti, Lohri, Pongal celebrations in Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday joined Sankranti and Pongal celebrations at the residence of his Cabinet colleague and Telangana BJP president G Kishan Reddy and later participated in Lohri festivities at Naraina. Telugu filmstar Chiranjeevi, ace badminton player PV Sindhu and several Union ministers joined the programme at Reddy's residence where Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla was also present. Modi participated in rituals associated with the festival, which is celebrated in different regions under different names and is associated with harvest. "Attended Sankranti and Pongal celebrations at the residence of my ministerial colleague, Shri G. Kishan Reddy Garu. Also witnessed an excellent cultural programme," the prime minister said in a post on X. People across India celebrate Sankranti and Pongal with great fervour, he said, adding it is a celebration of gratitude, abundance and renewal, deeply rooted in the agricultural traditions of our culture. "My best wishes for Sankrant

NTA postpones UGC-NET exam scheduled for January 15 due to festivals

The UGC-National Eligibility Test (NET) scheduled for January 15 has been postponed on account of festivals, including Makar Sakranti and Pongal, the National Testing Agency (NTA) announced on Monday. The exam for admission to PhD programmes, awarding Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and appointment as assistant professors is being conducted from January 3 to January 16 for 85 subjects in the Computer Based Test (CBT) mode. "The NTA has received representations to postpone the exam on January 15 on account of festivals, including Pongal and Makar Sakranti. In the interest of the aspirants, the exam has been postponed and a new date will be announced later," Rajesh Kumar, Director (Exams), NTA, said. "The exam on January 16 will be conducted as per the earlier schedule," he added. On January 15, the exam was scheduled for 17 subjects, including mass communication and journalism, Sanskrit, Nepali, law, Japanese, women studies, Malayalam, Urdu, Konkani, criminology, folk literature, .

Bank holidays 2025: Are banks closed on Jan 13 and 14 for Lohri, Sankranti?

The January 2025 bank holiday calendar is out, and this year's Lohri and Makar Sankranti festivals, which fall on January 13 and 14, respectively, are designated as holidays

Makar Sankranti 2024: Top 10 foods prepared in different parts of India

Makar Sankranti, which is widely celebrated in India, is a Hindu festival. People prepare delicious food on this occasion. Here are the 10 foods prepared in different parts of India

Banned Chinese manja continues to be in high demand ahead of Uttarayan

As the countdown begins for the Makar Sankranti begins, markets are buzzing with variety of kites

Kai po che: All you need to know about ongoing Ahmedabad Kite festival 2024

A total of 153 kite flyers from 55 nations around the world, 68 national kite flyers from 12 Indian states, and 865 kite flyers from 23 Gujarat cities are taking part in Ahmedabad Kite festival 2024

Makar Sankranti 2024: History, Significance and other facts about festival

Makar Sankranti is an auspicious Hindu festival which is observed across the country on January 14. The festival marks the beginning of the harvesting festival and says goodbye to winters

Gangasagar Mela: Devotees, seers take holy dip in Ganges on Makar Sankranti

Devotees and seers took a holy dip in the Ganges at the Gangsagar in the South 24 Parganas on Saturday, on the occasion of Makar Sankranti