Holy Festival of Makar Sankranti

 

Festival of Makar Sankranti is celebrated with great zest in all parts of India. On the day of Makar Sankranti, The sun starts its journey to the Northern Hemisphere.  Devotees take dips in the holy water and offer prayers to the sun. As it is the festival of Sun God, and he is regarded as the symbol of divinity and wisdom, the festival holds an eternal meaning.

Makar Sankranti is a blissful festival celebrated by Hindus. All enthusiasts step out of their houses and enjoy flying kites. Colourful kites fill the sky on the auspicious day of Sankranti. Further it is also believed that any sacred ritual can be performed from this day onwards.

It is the festival of til-gul, where sesame and jaggery laddoos or chikkis are distributed. It is also traditional to consume Khichdi and Jaggery.

Makar Sankranti marks the transition of the Sun into Makara rashi (Capricorn) on its celestial path, and the six-month Uttarayana period.  Makara Sankranti is also called as Uttarayana - the day on which the sun begins his northward journey The traditional Indian calendar is based on lunar positions, Sankranti is a solar event. The date of Makar Sankranti remains constant over a long term, 14 January or occasionally, 15 January as the Sun begins to rise in Makara Rashi.Sankranti marks the termination of winter season and beginning of a new harvest or spring season.

The Puranas say that on this day Sun visits the house of his son Shani, who is the swami of Makar Rashi. This day symbolizes the healthy relationship of father & son.

It was on this day when Lord Vishnu ended the ever increasing terror of the Asuras by finishing them off and burying their heads under the Mandara Parvata (Mountain). So this occasion also represents the end of negativities and beginning of an era of righteous living.

Another interesting fact is that on this day Goddess Durga (also known as Mahishasur-mardini) set foot on earth for the first time with a purpose to kill the demon king Mahishasur.

Makar Sankranti is celebrated all over India with same name in many states and with different names in some states ie Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Maghi (Lohri is celebrated a day before) in Punjab, Bihu in Assam, Uttarayana in Gujarat and Rajasthan.

Daan is also given on this day to please the planets. This day has a special significance for Anna Daan. The donation of Wheat, Black Sesame (Kala Til), White Sesame (Safed Til), Satnaja (combination of seven kinds of grains) is considered very auspicious. Such donation has the power to remove planetary Doshas related to Sun and Saturn. Donation of blankets and clothes are aslo done to please the God. 

Married women organize a ceremony of haldi-kumkum (applying vermilion and turmeric to the forehead) and gift articles to other married women.

Prayers are offered to Lord Ganesha, Lord Surya, Lord Vishnu, Maa Durga and Maa Gayatri on this auspicious day.