2026 Sankranti: 4 Foods to donate this Makar Sankranti for good luck

The new year has begun, and so have the celebrations for the most awaited winter festival of the year. This year Makar Sankranti is falling on January 14, 2026, which will be celebrated across the country.

From Makar Sankranti in the Northern part of the country to Pongal from South India to Bhogali Bihu in Assam, this winter festival is celebrated with fervour across the nation. Interestingly, this festival is believed to mark the auspicious entry on Sun in the Capricorn, which brings positivity and prosperity, abundance in harvest, and is believed to be the best time for spiritual renewal as per Vedic traditions.

Why should you donate in Makar Sankranti?It is believed that donating brings good fortune, especially on this day during the Punya Kaal, which according to Vedic shastra is the most auspicious time for donation post-Sankranti moment around 3:13pm.

It is believed worshipping the Sun Lord and later donating certain foods can naturally amplify good luck by invoking divine blessings, purifying karma, and ensuring material gains. On these days, donating certain foods to the Brahmans, priests, poor or feeding animals like cows and birds align with dharma, which helps in warding off misfortune, and acts like a magnet for attracting wealth and harmony.

TilTil, also known as Sesame seeds are believed to be the best thing to donate this Makar Sankranti, this is majorly due to their warm potency, and their ability to counter winter chills, and it is also believed that donating till on this day brings prosperity, abundance and immortality as per certain Hindu scriptures.

It is believed that offering black or white til during morning rituals or Punya Kaal can naturally appease the Saturn (Lord Shani), which may help remove hurdles, and bring in financial stability and career luck.

GudGud also known as Jaggery is a natural sweetener from sugarcane harvest that embodies sweetness and abundance when donated on this day. It is believed that donating jaggery on Sankranti can help balance pitta dosha, help bring sweetness and harmony in relationships and also boost health.

It is also believed that donating this Gud can help receive Goddess Lakshmi's blessing and attract wealth and luxury. It is also believed that donating gud-til laddoos in Punya Kaal to Brahmins can boost luck and bring abundance in business ventures.Wheat GrainsDonating whole wheat grains on Makar sankranti symbolizes sustenance and fertility, making it an ideal donation to invoke steady growth and family well-being.

The best time to donate grains is post-Sankranti bath during the afternoon muhurta. It is believed that donating wheat pacifies planetary positions and reduces the ill effect of malefic planets. It also boosts luck and growth opportunities for agricultural, financial growth and may bring new financial ventures.MakkaCorn or makka are also considered auspicious for donations to honor the harvest deity Surya. It is believed that donating this helps in amplifying solar energies for leadership and vitality. According to vedic traditions, distributed during evening rituals or to the underprivileged in Punya Kaal can clear ancestral debts (pitru rin). It is also believed to bring in leadership success and vitality.