Happy Makar Sankranti

The festival of Makar Sankranti is celebrated in the joy of Uttarayan, which is the main festival of Sanatan Dharma. In the year 2025, this festival will be celebrated on 14 January 2025.

Makar Sankranti is one of the most important festivals of Hindus and is celebrated in many parts of India. This festival is mainly dedicated to Lord Surya. Donating on the day of Makar Sankranti has special significance. According to the scriptures, if charity is done within the first six hours of this Sankranti, it is fruitful. Apart from this, it is mentioned in the scriptures that charity should always be done from one’s own earnings, because it is believed that charity from the money earned by persecuting or hurting others never yields results. The festival of Makar Sankranti is also special for farmers.

Religious significance of Makar Sankranti

From the religious point of view, Makar Sankranti is also of great importance. According to Hindu scriptures, on this day Lord Surya goes to his son Shani’s house. As Saturn is the lord of Capricorn and Aquarius, the festival of Makar Sankranti is also related to the union of father and son. On the day of Makar Sankranti, taking a holy bath at the pilgrimage places is of great importance.

In the scriptures, Dakshinayan is considered a symbol of negativity and Uttarayan is considered a symbol of positivity. In chapter 8 of the Bhagavad-gita, Lord Krishna says that by renouncing the body during the six months of Uttarayana, Brahma-gati is attained, while in the six months of Dakshinayana, the man who renounces the body again attains the cycle of birth and death in the world.

Astrological significance of Makar Sankranti

The festival of Makar Sankranti is usually celebrated on 14 January. On this day, when the sun enters Capricorn from Sagittarius in the month of Pausha or Uttarayan from Dakshinayana, the festival of Makar Sankranti is celebrated. The transition of the Sun from one zodiac sign to another is called Sankranti. According to the Hindu calendar, Makar Sankranti is celebrated on the 14th day of January in the month of Shravana.

Most Hindu festivals are calculated on the basis of a lunar-based calendar, but Makar Sankranti is celebrated by calculating a solar-based calendar. From this day on, the weather begins to change. Autumn begins to slow down and spring begins. As a result, the days become longer and the nights shorter.

How Makar Sankranti is celebrated in different parts of the country

The festival of Makar Sankranti is also celebrated with enthusiasm by farmers as the arrival of a new season and new crop. On this day, the new crop is harvested in many states of the country such as UP, Punjab, Bihar, including Tamil Nadu, so the festival of Makar Sankranti is celebrated by farmers as a day of gratitude.

The flourishing crop of paddy in the fields is obtained by the farmers as a result of their hard work which is possible only with the blessings of God and nature. Makar Sankranti is also known as Lohri in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. While Makar Sankranti is celebrated as’ Pongal ‘in Tamil Nadu, the festival is known as’ Khichdi ‘in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. On this day, somewhere khichdi is made on Makar Sankranti, somewhere dahi chuda and sesame ladoo are made.

Lohri-

The festival of Lohri is celebrated in North India Punjab including the day of Makar Sankranti which is celebrated on 13th January after harvesting the crops. In the evening, the bonfire is lit and sesame, jaggery and maize are offered to the fire.

Pongal-

Pongal is a Hindu festival celebrated mainly in the southern states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. This festival is specially meant for farmers. On this occasion, after harvesting paddy, people celebrate Pongal to express their happiness. Pongal is celebrated on the 14th of January, the first day of the Tamil month of Thai. The three-day festival is dedicated to Surya Dev and Indra Dev. By the festival of Pongal, all the farmers express their gratitude to God for the fertile land, good rain and harvest.

Uttaranchal-

In Gujarat, Navratri is celebrated in a grand manner. This festival is celebrated on 14th and 15th January in the joy of new harvest and arrival of the season. There is a tradition of flying kites in Gujarat on the occasion of Makar Sankranti and on this day the Kite Festival is also organized here. Fasting is also done on the day of Uttarayan and there is a tradition of making a grinder of sesame and peanut grains.

Bihu-

The festival of Magh Bihu is celebrated on the first day of the Magh month. It is mainly a harvest festival. Various dishes are prepared and served on the occasion of Bihu. On the day of Bhogali Bihu, a bonfire is lit and a dish made of sesame seeds and coconut is offered to the fire god.

Rituals associated with Makar Sankranti

On the day of Makar Sankranti, the sky is filled with colourful kites. On this day, a special pooja is performed.

A folk song is danced around the fire which is called ‘Bhogi’ in Andhra Pradesh, ‘Lohri’ in Punjab and ‘Meji’ in Assam. Paddy and maize are also harvested on this day.

Bathing in the holy rivers, especially Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri, on Makar Sankranti is auspicious. It is believed that sins committed before bathing on this day are washed away.

Surya Dev (Sun God) is worshipped on this day for success and prosperity. On Makar Sankranti, “Kumbh Mela,” “Gangasagar Mela” and “Makar Mela” etc. are organized.

Donations on the day of Makar Sankranti

Donating things made of sesame seeds to Brahmins on the day of Makar Sankranti is considered virtuous. It is highly auspicious to donate clothes to someone in need on this day. Donation of Khichdi has special significance on Makar Sankranti. Donating jaggery on this day brings auspicious results.

Donating pure ghee on the day of Makar Sankranti brings benefits in career and material pleasures. On this day, by donating jaggery, the defects associated with Navagraha are removed.

Importance of Makar Sankranti Wishes

Makar Sankranti is not just limited to kite-flying and the sweetness of til-gur. This is a day to spread positivity, gratitude and happiness. Heartfelt wishes further strengthen the bond with loved ones and reflect the true spirit of the festival.

Finally, may the rays of the Sun bring peace, prosperity and positivity in your life. May this Makar Sankranti fill your life with immense joy, love and happiness.