A complete step-by-step guide to performing the puja at home.
Dedicated to Lord Surya (Sun God)
Bathe before sunrise — ideally in a holy river (Ganga, Yamuna, or Godavari) or with Gangajal mixed into your bath water. Sankranti snana is considered one of the most meritorious baths of the year.
Sit facing east at the puja altar. Take Sankalp to worship Lord Surya on the occasion of Makar Sankranti and to offer donations (dana) for the welfare of ancestors and family.
ॐ विष्णुर्विष्णुर्विष्णुः। अद्य मकर संक्रान्ति पुण्य काले श्री सूर्य पूजनम् दानम् च करिष्ये।
Worship Lord Ganesha briefly with durva and a red flower before beginning the Surya Puja.
ॐ गं गणपतये नमः॥
Fill a copper lota with water. Add red flowers, akshat, raktachandan, kumkum, and til. Stand facing the rising sun. Raise the lota with both hands above your head and offer the arghya — letting the water flow in a thin stream through your fingers — while chanting the Surya mantra.
ॐ ह्रां ह्रीं ह्रौं सः सूर्याय नमः॥ ॐ घृणि सूर्याय नमः॥
Worship the Surya Yantra or image with the sixteen upacharas — Asana, Padya, Arghya, Achamaniya, Snana, Vastra (red), Gandha (raktachandan), Akshat, Pushpa (red flowers), Dhupa, Deepa, Naivedya (til-gur laddoo, khichdi), Tambula, Pradakshina, Namaskar.
ॐ सूर्याय नमः॥
Recite the Aditya Hridaya Stotra from the Ramayana — the hymn Sage Agastya taught Rama before the battle with Ravana. Alternatively, recite the Surya Ashtakam and chant the Gayatri Mantra 108 times.
आदित्यहृदयं पुण्यं सर्वशत्रु विनाशनम्। जयावहं जपेन्नित्यं अक्षय्यं परमं शिवम्॥
Offer black sesame seeds and jaggery at the feet of Lord Surya. Sesame is said to absorb negativity and sins; jaggery brings sweetness and warmth. This is the most important daan of Makar Sankranti.
तिलतैल्येन सम्मिश्र दापयाम्यहम्। सूर्याय पापहराय प्रीयताम्॥
Perform the Surya Aarti with camphor — singing 'Om Jai Jagdish Hare' or 'Jai Kashyap Nandan Jai Aditya Deva'. Circle the camphor clockwise before the image.
ॐ जय सूर्य भगवान, स्वामी जय सूर्य भगवान।
Offer a handful of red flowers at the feet of Lord Surya. Pray for health, vitality, clarity of intellect, and the prosperity brought by warmth and sunlight.
Donate til, gur, blankets, warm clothes, and rice to the needy — Sankranti dana is said to yield a hundred-fold merit. Share the khichdi and til-gur laddoo as prasad with family and friends. Fly kites in the afternoon — a tradition representing the rising of the soul towards the sun.
This guide reflects classical Parashari tradition. Regional variations exist — consult a family priest for specifics.