Makar Sankranti is a major Hindu festival celebrated across India and Nepal, marking the transition of the Sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makara) on its celestial path. This event is significant as it signifies the end of the winter solstice and the beginning of longer days. It is usually celebrated on January 14th every year, though the date can sometimes shift by a day due to the solar cycle.
Makar Sankranti is one of the most auspicious occasions for the Hindus, and is celebrated in almost all parts of the country in myriad cultural forms, with great devotion, fervour and gaiety. It is a harvest festival. Makar Sankranti is perhaps the only Indian festival whose date always falls on the same day every year on the 14th of January (with just a few exceptions when it is celebrated either on the 13th or 15th of January).
Makar Sankranti holds profound cultural significance across different regions of India and Nepal. Here are some key aspects:
Transition and Renewal
- Astrological Significance: Makar Sankranti marks the transition of the Sun into Capricorn (Makara) from Sagittarius (Dhanu). This shift is considered highly auspicious as it signifies the beginning of Uttarayana, the northward movement of the Sun. This period is believed to bring longer days and is considered a time of renewal and new beginnings.
Harvest Festival
- End of Winter Solstice: The festival marks the end of the cold winter season and the beginning of the harvest season. It is a time when farmers rejoice and give thanks for a bountiful harvest.
- New Harvest: The festival is closely linked to agriculture. Freshly harvested grains are used to prepare various traditional dishes, symbolizing abundance and prosperity.
Spiritual Practices
- Holy Bathing: It is believed that taking a holy dip in sacred rivers like the Ganges, Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri during Makar Sankranti washes away sins and leads to spiritual purification.
- Surya Puja (Worship of the Sun): The Sun God, Surya, is worshipped for health, prosperity, and good fortune. People offer water to the Sun and chant prayers, acknowledging the Sun's vital role in sustaining life on Earth.
Social and Community Bonding
- Exchange of Sweets: The exchange of sweets made from sesame (til) and jaggery (gur) symbolizes the desire for peace and harmony. The sweetness represents the wish for positive relations and the warmth of togetherness.
- Folk Songs and Dances: In various regions, folk songs and dances form a vital part of the celebrations, bringing communities together in joy and festivity. This fosters social bonding and reinforces cultural values.
Regional Celebrations
- Lohri in Punjab: Celebrated with bonfires, folk songs, and dances like Bhangra and Gidda, Lohri marks the end of winter and the arrival of longer days.
- Pongal in Tamil Nadu: A four-day festival involving the boiling of the first rice of the season, symbolizing abundance and prosperity. It includes paying respects to the Sun God, cattle, and the community.
- Magh Bihu in Assam: Involves feasts, bonfires (Meji), and traditional games. It celebrates the harvest and the bond between family members.
- Uttarayan in Gujarat: Known for its vibrant kite flying, symbolizing the spirit of freedom and joy. The skies are filled with colorful kites, and the day is spent in friendly competitions and celebrations.
Transition and Renewal
- Astrological Significance: Makar Sankranti marks the transition of the Sun into Capricorn (Makara) from Sagittarius (Dhanu). This shift is considered highly auspicious as it signifies the beginning of Uttarayana, the northward movement of the Sun. This period is believed to bring longer days and is considered a time of renewal and new beginnings.
Harvest Festival
- End of Winter Solstice: The festival marks the end of the cold winter season and the beginning of the harvest season. It is a time when farmers rejoice and give thanks for a bountiful harvest.
- New Harvest: The festival is closely linked to agriculture. Freshly harvested grains are used to prepare various traditional dishes, symbolizing abundance and prosperity.
Spiritual Practices
- Holy Bathing: It is believed that taking a holy dip in sacred rivers like the Ganges, Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri during Makar Sankranti washes away sins and leads to spiritual purification.
- Surya Puja (Worship of the Sun): The Sun God, Surya, is worshipped for health, prosperity, and good fortune. People offer water to the Sun and chant prayers, acknowledging the Sun's vital role in sustaining life on Earth.\
Social and Community Bonding
- Exchange of Sweets: The exchange of sweets made from sesame (til) and jaggery (gur) symbolizes the desire for peace and harmony. The sweetness represents the wish for positive relations and the warmth of togetherness.
- Folk Songs and Dances: In various regions, folk songs and dances form a vital part of the celebrations, bringing communities together in joy and festivity. This fosters social bonding and reinforces cultural values.
Regional Celebrations
- Lohri in Punjab: Celebrated with bonfires, folk songs, and dances like Bhangra and Gidda, Lohri marks the end of winter and the arrival of longer days.
- Pongal in Tamil Nadu: A four-day festival involving the boiling of the first rice of the season, symbolizing abundance and prosperity. It includes paying respects to the Sun God, cattle, and the community.
- Magh Bihu in Assam: Involves feasts, bonfires (Meji), and traditional games. It celebrates the harvest and the bond between family members.
- Uttarayan in Gujarat: Known for its vibrant kite flying, symbolizing the spirit of freedom and joy. The skies are filled with colorful kites, and the day is spent in friendly competitions and celebrations.
Makar Sankranti is the day when the glorious Sun-God begins its ascendancy and entry into the Northern Hemisphere and thus it signifies an event wherein the Sun-God seems to remind their children that Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya - may you go higher & higher, to more & more Light and never to Darkness.
To Hindus, the Sun stands for knowledge, spiritual light, and wisdom. Makar Sankranti signifies that we should turn away from the darkness of delusion in which we live, and begin to enjoy a new life with bright light within us to shine brighter and brighter. We should gradually begin to grow in purity, wisdom, and knowledge, even as the Sun does from the Day of Makar Sankranti.
The festival of Makar Sankranti is highly regarded by the Hindus from North to down South. The day is known by various names and a variety of traditions are witnessed as one explores the festival in different states.
Rituals
Makar Sankranti is celebrated with various rituals and traditions, each reflecting the cultural diversity of India. Here are some of the key rituals associated with the festival:Holy Bathing
- Sacred Rivers: One of the most significant rituals is taking a holy dip in sacred rivers such as the Ganges, Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri. This is believed to purify the soul and wash away sins.
Worship of the Sun
- Surya Puja: Devotees perform Surya Puja (worship of the Sun God) at sunrise. They offer water, flowers, and rice to the Sun, and chant mantras and prayers. This ritual acknowledges the Sun's vital role in life and seeks blessings for health and prosperity.
Preparing and Sharing Sweets
- Tilgul: Special sweets made from sesame seeds (til) and jaggery (gur) are prepared and distributed. In Maharashtra, people exchange these sweets while saying, "Tilgul ghya, god god bola" (Take this sweet, and speak sweet words), symbolizing harmony and goodwill.
- Laddu and Chikki: Other popular sweets include laddu and chikki, which are also made from sesame seeds and jaggery.
Kite Flying
- Uttarayan: In states like Gujarat and Maharashtra, flying kites is a major activity during Makar Sankranti. The skies are filled with colorful kites, and people participate in friendly competitions. Kite flying symbolizes freedom and the joy of the festival.
Bonfires and Community Feasts
- Lohri: In Punjab, the festival is celebrated as Lohri, involving bonfires around which people gather to sing folk songs, dance, and share festive foods like popcorn, peanuts, and sweets made from sesame seeds and jaggery.
- Bihu: In Assam, the festival is known as Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu. People light bonfires (Meji), prepare community feasts, and enjoy traditional games and dances.
Decorating Cows and Bulls
- Pongal: In Tamil Nadu, the second day of Pongal, known as Mattu Pongal, is dedicated to honoring cattle. Cows and bulls are bathed, decorated with garlands and bells, and worshipped. This ritual acknowledges the importance of cattle in agriculture.
Almsgiving and Charity
- Donations: Giving alms and donations to the poor and needy is considered an important aspect of Makar Sankranti. People donate food, clothes, and other essentials to those in need, seeking blessings and expressing gratitude.
Cooking and Sharing Festive Foods
- Pongal Dish: In Tamil Nadu, a special dish called Pongal is prepared using freshly harvested rice, milk, and jaggery. The dish is cooked outdoors in a clay pot and offered to the Sun God before being shared with family and friends.
- Traditional Meals: Across various regions, people prepare and share traditional meals that include seasonal produce and freshly harvested grains.
Rangoli and Decorations
- Kolam/Rangoli: In many parts of India, especially in the south, people draw intricate patterns called kolam or rangoli outside their homes using rice flour or colored powders. These patterns are believed to bring good luck and prosperity.