Traditions
Traditionally, this period is considered an auspicious time and the veteran Bhishma of Mahabharata chose to die during this period. Bhishma fell to the arrows of Arjuna. With his boon to choose the time of his death, he waited on a bed of arrows to depart from this world only during this period. It is believed that those who die in this period have no rebirth.
For the people in the Indo Gangetic plain, the day begins with taking dips in the Ganges and offering water to the Sun-God. The dip is said to purify the self and bestow ‘punya’. Special Puja is offered as a thanksgiving for good harvest.
Til and rice are two important ingredients of this festival. In the rice-eating belt of Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, people have a special rice-centric meal on this day.
In Makar Sankranti, women prepare laddus or other sweets of Til & Gur and offer them to friends & relatives. It symbolizes a ‘Well-being Prayer for all’ gets manifested in action & deeds.
Makar Sankranti Video