Makar Sankranti is being celebrated across India with great enthusiasm on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, marking one of the most significant festivals in the Hindu calendar. Observed as the day when the Sun begins its northward journey, the festival symbolises new beginnings, positive energy and prosperity.

The day holds deep religious importance. Devotees across the country take a holy dip in sacred rivers and perform charity and donations, practices believed to bring spiritual merit and peace. Sun worship is also an integral part of the festival, with many offering prayers at sunrise, seeking happiness, good health and success.

Beyond its spiritual meaning, Makar Sankranti is also known for its vibrant cultural celebrations. From rooftops filled with colourful kites to homes preparing traditional sweets made of jaggery and sesame, the festival brings together families and communities in celebration.

Festival of harvest, harmony and hope

Makar Sankranti is widely regarded as a harvest festival, especially in agrarian regions, marking the arrival of fresh crops and renewed hope. The exchange of sweets made from sesame seeds and jaggery reflects the message of sweetness in relationships and warmth in communication.

As part of the celebrations, people are sharing thoughtful wishes and messages with friends, family and loved ones, expressing hopes for happiness, success and togetherness in the year ahead. Many messages highlight themes such as strong bonds, rising ambitions and uncut kites of success, drawing inspiration from the festival’s symbols.

A celebration that unites tradition and joy

With blue skies dotted with flying kites and households resonating with festive prayers, Makar Sankranti continues to stand as a reminder of tradition, gratitude and renewal. The festival encourages people to let go of negativity and move forward with optimism, making it one of the most cherished occasions of the year.

As celebrations unfold nationwide, exchanging warm wishes remains a simple yet meaningful way to make the festival special, reinforcing bonds and spreading joy.

Happy Makar Sankranti 2026 Wishes in English

1.
The sweetness of jaggery, the aroma of sesame,
Colorful kites in the sky and love in every heart.
Wishing you and your family a joyful
and wonderful Makar Sankranti!

Happy Makar Sankranti 2026

2.
If sesame is us and jaggery is you,
If sweets are us and sweetness is you,
As the first festival of the year begins,
May Makar Sankranti bring happiness to you.

Warm wishes on Makar Sankranti

3.
Kites filling the sky,
Sweetness of jaggery all around,
May happiness find a permanent place
in your life this Makar Sankranti.

Happy Makar Sankranti 2026

4.
With sesame laddoos and peanuts in abundance,
Wishing you a joyful and blessed
festival of Makar Sankranti.

5.
Blue skies, colorful kites,
and joy in every direction.
Celebrate Makar Sankranti
with your loved ones.

Heartfelt Makar Sankranti wishes

6.
May your kite never be cut,
May your string always stay strong.
May happiness surround your home,
and success follow you all year long.
May Makar Sankranti bring prosperity
and joy into your life.

Happy Makar Sankranti 2026

7.
Temple bells, sacred prayers,
The golden glow of the rising sun by the river.
May happiness bloom in your life,
Wishing you a blessed Makar Sankranti.

8.
The first harvest of the year
and the first happiness too.
Wishing you a joyful
Makar Sankranti.

9.
May the kite of your success
always soar high in the sky.
Happy Makar Sankranti!

10.
May your flight be high and your string be strong,
May happiness echo around you all along.
May your success rise so high,
That no one can ever bring it down.

Warm wishes on Makar Sankranti

Team India has addressed the debate surrounding Ayush Badoni’s surprise inclusion in the ODI squad for the New Zealand series following Washington Sundar’s injury. Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak clarified that Badoni’s selection was driven by balance requirements rather than experimentation.

Washington Sundar was ruled out of the remaining two ODIs against New Zealand due to injury, prompting the selectors to bring in the Delhi all-rounder. While the move sparked discussion, with some observers backing Riyan Parag or Rinku Singh, the team management has defended its decision.

Team management highlights need for all-round option

Speaking ahead of the second ODI, Kotak said the team could not afford to go into a match with only five bowling options, especially in the absence of Sundar.

He explained that Badoni offers flexibility, noting that if a frontline bowler were to get injured mid-match, the team would still need someone capable of bowling four to five overs. Kotak added that while Sundar is a more established all-rounder, teams often opt for players who can contribute with both bat and ball, even if bowling is a secondary skill.

Kotak also pointed to Badoni’s consistent performances in India A matches and white-ball cricket, stating that his ability to bat in the middle order and bowl right-arm off-breaks made him a like-for-like replacement in terms of team balance.

Strong domestic and India A performances

Badoni has impressed in List A cricket, scoring 693 runs in 27 matches at an average of 36.47 and a strike rate above 93. His record includes one century and five half-centuries. With the ball, he has taken 18 wickets at an economy rate of 4.54.

During the South Africa A tour of India last year, Badoni scored 66 in an unofficial ODI and delivered economical bowling spells across two matches. He also contributed during Australia A’s tour, picking up three wickets in two games while adding runs in limited opportunities.

IPL experience adds to credentials

The 24-year-old has featured in 56 IPL matches for Lucknow Super Giants, scoring 963 runs at a strike rate of 138.56. Known for his composure in the middle order, Badoni has registered six IPL half-centuries, strengthening his case as a reliable white-ball option.

Kotak wished Badoni well, expressing confidence that the youngster’s exposure at domestic, India A, and IPL levels has prepared him for the international stage.

OnePlus has announced its Freedom Sale, offering discounts on smartphones, tablets, and audio products across online and offline platforms. The deals include the recently launched OnePlus 15 series, Nord lineup, Buds audio devices, and other gadgets.

When and where to shop

The OnePlus Freedom Sale starts on Jan. 16 and will run both online and offline. Shoppers can purchase smartphones through OnePlus.in, OnePlus Experience Stores, Amazon, as well as offline retailers including Croma, Reliance Digital, Vijay Sales, and others. Tablets are available on Flipkart during the sale period.

Discounts on OnePlus smartphones

• OnePlus 15: Launched at Rs 72,999, buyers can get an instant Rs 4,000 discount, lowering the effective price to Rs 68,999. Additional benefits include six months of no-cost EMI and a bundled OnePlus Nord Buds 3.
  
• OnePlus 13: Originally priced at Rs 69,999, the phone receives an Rs 8,000 price drop, plus a bank discount of Rs 4,000, bringing the price down to Rs 57,999.
  
• OnePlus 15R: Listed at Rs 47,999, buyers can avail Rs 3,000 off until Jan 26. After the date, the effective price is Rs 45,999.
  
• OnePlus 13R: Launched at Rs 42,999, this device gets up to Rs 6,000 price cut and an additional Rs 1,000 bank discount.
  

Discounts on OnePlus tablets

• OnePlus Pad 2: Rs 2,000 instant bank discount reduces the price to Rs 34,999.
  
• OnePlus Pad 3: Eligible for a Rs 3,000 instant discount, making the price Rs 44,999. Purchases until Jan 26 include a free Stylo 2 stylus.
  
• OnePlus Pad Go 2: Rs 1,000 price drop plus Rs 2,000 bank discount, now Rs 23,999.
  
• OnePlus Pad Go: Price reduced to Rs 13,999 after Rs 3,000 cut and Rs 1,000 bank discount.
  
• OnePlus Pad Lite: Available for Rs 11,999 after a Rs 2,000 price drop and Rs 2,000 bank discount.
  

Audio devices on offer

• OnePlus Buds 4: Rs 700 price cut with Rs 300 bank discount, bringing the effective price to Rs 4,999.
  
• OnePlus Buds Pro 3: Now Rs 9,999 after Rs 1,000 price drop and Rs 1,000 bank discount. No-cost EMI options are available for both Buds 4 and Buds Pro 3.
  

Additional discounts are also applicable to the Nord Buds series — including Nord Buds 3, Nord Buds 3 Pro, and Nord Buds 3R — and neckband devices such as Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC and Bullets Wireless Z3.