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News India Live, Digital Desk: The year 2026 is going to begin with a big religious confusion. Actually, we wait for 14th January with great enthusiasm every year so that we can take bath and enjoy hot Khichdi. But this time on January 14, 2026, something different is going to happen.
Not only is it ‘Makar Sankranti’ on this day, the most auspicious Ekadashi of the year i.e. ‘Shattila Ekadashi’ is also falling. Now the whole matter is stuck here! Because according to religious scriptures, eating rice (grain) is considered prohibited on the day of Ekadashi, and the tradition of Makar Sankranti is related to eating ‘rice khichdi’.
After all, what is dilemma? (The Dilemma)
Ekadashi fast has great importance in Sanatan Dharma. Those who observe Ekadashi regularly or have devotion do not even touch rice on this day. On the other hand, Makar Sankranti is called the ‘festival of Khichdi’ because on this day, Khichdi made of rice and urad dal is made to welcome the Sun God.
So the question is, if you are celebrating Sankranti on 14th January, can you eat Khichdi?
What does the rule of the scriptures say?
According to scholars and experts, whenever a fast and a big festival fall on the same day, the importance of ‘Vrat’ is kept higher. If you observe Ekadashi, you should avoid eating rice khichdi on that day.
You must donate Sankranti (khichdi, dal, salt, sesame seeds) in the morning, because there is no restriction on donating. But for eating yourself, you can find a ‘middle path’.
Then how to celebrate the festival?
- Increase the use of sesame seeds: There is also ‘Shattila Ekadashi’ on the day of Makar Sankranti of 2026. ‘Shattila’ means use of sesame seeds in six ways. So this time instead of rice khichdi, enjoy sesame laddu, gajak, sesame water and fruit items made from sesame.
- Eat Khichdi the next day: You should take holy bath and donate on 14th January, but eat the traditional Khichdi food on the next day i.e. on 15th January (Dwadashi) at the time of Paran. With this, the tradition of Sankranti will also be maintained and the fast of Ekadashi will also not be broken.
- Fruit Khichdi: If you want to eat something like ‘khichdi’ that day, then you can make khichdi made of sago or sama rice. It is fruitful and can be eaten on Ekadashi.
The result of donation will be double
Even though there may be some doubt regarding food, this year is very lucky in terms of donations. Sun moving into Capricorn on the same day and Lord Vishnu’s favorite Ekadashi falling on the same day is a rare coincidence. Donating black lentils, rice, black sesame seeds and blankets on this day will satisfy your ancestors and bring happiness and peace in the house.
So don’t get confused this time! Offer Arghya to Sun God with devotion, donate sesame seeds and while observing the fast, taste Khichdi the next day.