Makar Sankranti 2026 Quiz with Answers

Makar Sankranti is a major Indian harvest festival celebrated when the Sun enters the zodiac sign Capricorn (Makara), marking the beginning of Uttarayan (northward journey of the Sun). Unlike most Indian festivals, it is observed on a fixed solar date, usually 14 January (occasionally 15 January). The festival symbolizes prosperity, gratitude to nature, new beginnings, and spiritual progress, and is celebrated across India under different names such as Pongal, Lohri, Magh Bihu, and Uttarayan.

50 GK Questions on Makar Sankranti

1. Makar Sankranti marks the transition of the Sun into which zodiac sign?

A. Cancer

B. Leo

C. Capricorn

D. Aries

Answer: Capricorn

2. Which movement of the Sun begins on Makar Sankranti?

A. Dakshinayan

B. Uttarayan

C. Aphelion

D. Perihelion

Answer: Uttarayan

3. Makar Sankranti is based on which calendar?

A. Lunar

B. Lunisolar

C. Solar

D. Gregorian

Answer: Solar

4. Which harvest festival is celebrated as Makar Sankranti in Tamil Nadu?

A. Onam

B. Vishu

C. Pongal

D. Ugadi

Answer: Pongal

Also Read: Makar Sankranti 2026 Essay

5. In Assam, Makar Sankranti is known as:

A. Baisakhi

B. Magh Bihu

C. Rongali

D. Bohag

Answer: Magh Bihu

6. Kite flying is especially popular during Makar Sankranti in:

A. Kerala

B. Gujarat

C. Assam

D. Odisha

Answer: Gujarat

7. Which food is traditionally eaten on Makar Sankranti?

A. Rice and fish

B. Curd and rice

C. Til and jaggery

D. Wheat and milk

Answer: Til and jaggery

8. The word “Makara” refers to:

A. Sun

B. Moon

C. Capricorn

D. Earth

Answer: Capricorn

9. Which deity is worshipped during Pongal?

A. Indra

B. Surya

C. Varuna

D. Agni

Answer: Surya

10. Makar Sankranti usually falls in which month?

A. December

B. January

C. February

D. March

Answer: January

11. In Punjab, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as:

A. Lohri

B. Teej

C. Hola Mohalla

D. Baisakhi

Answer: Lohri

12. What does Uttarayan symbolize?

A. Darkness

B. Decline

C. Growth and positivity

D. Rest

Answer: Growth

13. Which river is considered most sacred for bathing on Makar Sankranti?

A. Yamuna

B. Narmada

C. Ganga

D. Godavari

Answer: Ganga

14. Makar Sankranti is associated with which season?

A. Monsoon

B. Autumn

C. Winter end

D. Summer

Answer: Winter end

15. Which sweet is commonly prepared for Makar Sankranti in Maharashtra?

A. Modak

B. Shrikhand

C. Tilgul

D. Puran Poli

Answer: Tilgul

16. Makar Sankranti signifies the start of:

A. New lunar year

B. Longer days

C. Shorter days

D. Eclipse cycle

Answer: Longer days

17. Which crop harvest is associated with Makar Sankranti?

A. Rice

B. Wheat

C. Sugarcane

D. Multiple crops

Answer: Multiple crops

18. Which planet’s movement defines Makar Sankranti?

A. Earth

B. Mars

C. Sun

D. Jupiter

Answer: Sun

19. In which Indian state is the International Kite Festival held?

A. Rajasthan

B. Gujarat

C. Maharashtra

D. Uttar Pradesh

Answer: Gujarat

20. Makar Sankranti is considered auspicious for:

A. Starting wars

B. Charity and donations

C. Mourning

D. Fasting only

Answer: Charity

21. Which metal is traditionally donated on Makar Sankranti?

A. Iron

B. Silver

C. Gold

D. Copper

Answer: Copper

22. Which famous fair is linked to Makar Sankranti?

A. Pushkar Fair

B. Kumbh Mela

C. Sonepur Fair

D. Gangasagar Mela

Answer: Gangasagar Mela

23. Which ocean is associated with Gangasagar?

A. Arabian Sea

B. Bay of Bengal

C. Indian Ocean

D. Red Sea

Answer: Bay of Bengal

24. Makar Sankranti usually occurs around:

A. Winter Solstice

B. Summer Solstice

C. Equinox

D. Perihelion

Answer: Winter Solstice (post)

25. Which Indian epic mentions the importance of Uttarayan?

A. Ramayana

B. Mahabharata

C. Puranas

D. Vedas

Answer: Mahabharata

26. Who waited for Uttarayan to leave his body?

A. Arjuna

B. Krishna

C. Bhishma

D. Karna

Answer: Bhishma

27. Which fuel is used in Lohri bonfires?

A. Cow dung cakes

B. Wood and sugarcane

C. Coal

D. Charcoal

Answer: Wood and sugarcane

28. Which state celebrates Makar Sankranti as Uttarayan?

A. Gujarat

B. Bihar

C. Odisha

D. Chhattisgarh

Answer: Gujarat

29. What is offered to Surya during Pongal?

A. Milk and rice

B. Fruits

C. Flowers

D. Coconut water

Answer: Milk and rice

30. Makar Sankranti is one of the few Indian festivals based on:

A. Moon phases

B. Star constellations

C. Solar transition

D. Tithi system

Answer: Solar transition

31. Which animal is decorated during Pongal?

A. Horse

B. Cow

C. Goat

D. Elephant

Answer: Cow

32. What is the symbolic meaning of sesame seeds?

A. Wealth

B. Warmth and unity

C. Power

D. Fertility

Answer: Warmth

33. Which Indian language gives the term “Tilgul”?

A. Gujarati

B. Marathi

C. Hindi

D. Bengali

Answer: Marathi

34. Which direction does the Sun move after Makar Sankranti?

A. South

B. East

C. West

D. North

Answer: North

35. Which month in the Hindu calendar corresponds to Makar Sankranti?

A. Paush

B. Magha

C. Chaitra

D. Kartik

Answer: Paush

36. Which activity symbolizes freedom and joy during Makar Sankranti?

A. Fireworks

B. Kite flying

C. Dance

D. Drumming

Answer: Kite flying

37. Which Indian state calls it Khichdi festival?

A. Bihar

B. Uttar Pradesh

C. Jharkhand

D. West Bengal

Answer: Uttar Pradesh

38. What does donating food on Makar Sankranti symbolize?

A. Power

B. Ego

C. Compassion

D. Wealth

Answer: Compassion

39. Makar Sankranti is important for which community of farmers?

A. Coastal

B. Desert

C. Agrarian

D. Nomadic

Answer: Agrarian

40. Which color is commonly associated with Makar Sankranti decorations?

A. Black

B. White

C. Yellow

D. Blue

Answer: Yellow

41. Which sweet uses peanuts and jaggery?

A. Ladoo

B. Chikki

C. Halwa

D. Barfi

Answer: Chikki

42. Which Indian classical dance is often performed during Pongal?

A. Kathak

B. Bharatanatyam

C. Odissi

D. Kuchipudi

Answer: Bharatanatyam

43. Makar Sankranti marks the end of which phase?

A. Monsoon

B. Harvest

C. Winter solstice phase

D. Lunar month

Answer: Winter solstice phase

44. Which state celebrates Bhogali Bihu?

A. Assam

B. Tripura

C. Manipur

D. Meghalaya

Answer: Assam

45. Which grain is central to Pongal?

A. Wheat

B. Barley

C. Rice

D. Millet

Answer: Rice

46. Which scientific reason explains longer days after Makar Sankranti?

A. Earth rotation

B. Earth revolution

C. Axial tilt

D. Lunar cycle

Answer: Axial tilt

47. Which virtue is especially emphasized on Makar Sankranti?

A. Courage

B. Truth

C. Gratitude

D. Discipline

Answer: Gratitude

48. Makar Sankranti is celebrated across:

A. Only India

B. South Asia

C. Asia

D. World

Answer: South Asia

49. Which offering is common in river rituals on Makar Sankranti?

A. Coins

B. Flowers

C. Oil

D. Milk

Answer: Flowers

50. Makar Sankranti 2026 will be celebrated mainly on:

A. 13 January

B. 14 January

C. 15 January

D. 16 January

Answer: 14 January