Makar Sankranti, also known as Uttarayana, is a Hindu festival that marks the transition of the sun from the zodiac sign of Sagittarius (Dhanu) to Capricorn (Makara). It usually falls on January 14th every year, though on leap years it may fall on January 15th. This festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm across India and in other parts of the world where Hindu communities are present. This year in 2024, it is going to be celebrated on 15th January 2024.
Significance of Makar Sankranti:
- Solar Significance: Makar Sankranti marks the beginning of the six-month period of Uttarayana, when the sun moves northwards in the sky. This is considered an auspicious time as it is associated with longer days, warmer weather, and the end of the harvest season. Makar Sankranti is seen as a time of new beginnings and auspiciousness.
- Harvest Festival: In many parts of India, Makar Sankranti is also a harvest festival. Farmers offer thanks to the sun and the earth for a bountiful harvest.
- Auspicious Day: Makar Sankranti is considered an auspicious day to start new ventures, buy new things, and get married. Worshiping Surya, the Sun God: Makar Sankranti is dedicated to Surya, the Sun God. People offer prayers and thanks to Surya for his life-giving energy.
Traditions and Celebrations:
- Bonfires: Bonfires are lit in many parts of India on the eve of Makar Sankranti. People sing and dance around the bonfires, and offerings are made to the fire god, Agni.
- Sweets and Savories: Special sweets and savories are prepared and exchanged on Makar Sankranti. Some of the popular dishes include khichdi, tilkut, and gajak. Different regions have their own special dishes for Makar Sankranti. In Maharashtra, people eat khichdi, a dish made of rice and lentils. In Tamil Nadu, people eat pongal, a dish made of rice and dal. Sweets and sugarcane are also popular during this time.
- Kite Flying: Kite flying is a popular activity on Makar Sankranti, especially in North India. The skies are filled with colorful kites of all shapes and sizes.
- Pilgrimage: Many people take a pilgrimage to holy places like Gangasagar and Prayagraj on Makar Sankranti.
- Taking a holy dip: Many people take a holy dip in rivers or ponds on Makar Sankranti. This is believed to cleanse one’s sins and bring good luck.
- Giving gifts and exchanging greetings: People exchange gifts and greetings with their loved ones on Makar Sankranti.
Regional Variations:
Makar Sankranti is celebrated in different ways in different parts of India. Here are some of the regional variations:
- Pongal in Tamil Nadu: Pongal is a four-day festival in Tamil Nadu that celebrates the harvest. Makar Sankranti falls on the third day of Pongal.
- Lohri: In Punjab, Makar Sankranti is called Lohri and is celebrated with bonfires, dances, and music.
- Bhogali Bihu in Assam: Bhogali Bihu is a harvest festival celebrated in Assam on the same day as Makar Sankranti.
- Magha Mela in Uttar Pradesh: Magha Mela is a month-long fair held in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, that culminates on Makar Sankranti.
With certain regional differences, the Indian subcontinent is divided into numerous regions that celebrate Makar Sankranti, or the auspicious Makara. In different areas of India and outside, it is celebrated with diverse rituals and traditions and goes by different names.
In Karnataka and Kerala, it is known as Suggi Habba, Makara Sankramana, Makara Sankranthi.
In Odisha, it is known as Makara Sankranti or Makara Mela and Makara Chaula.
In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, it is known as Makara Sankranthi.
In Chhattisgarh, Goa, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal and Jammu, it is known as Makar Sankranti. Thai Pongal, Uzhavar Thirunal: Tamil Nadu
In Gujarat, it is known as Uttarayan.
In Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, it is known as Maghi.
In Assam, it is known as Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu.
In Kashmir Valley, it is known as Shishur Saenkraat.
In Uttar Pradesh and western Bihar, it is known as Khichdi.
In West Bengal, it is known as Poush Sangkranti
In Mithila, it is known as Tila Sakrait.
In Nepal, it is known as Maghe Sankranti or Maghi- /Khichdi Sankranti.
In Bangladesh, it is known as Shakrain/ Poush Sangkranti.
In Pakistan (Sindh), it is known as Tirmoori.
In Sri Lanka, it is known as ThaiPongal.
Significance, Legends and History of Makara Sankranti:
Legends and historical accounts indicate that the Hindu epic Mahabharata mentions the Magha Mela. Many visit holy lakes or rivers and offer prayers to the sun while taking a bath. The Hindus celebrate Makar Sankranti with one of the biggest mass pilgrimages in the world, attended by an estimated 60 million people, once every twelve years. In a custom credited to Adi Shankaracharya, they offer prayers to the sun and take a bath at the Prayaga union of the Rivers Ganga and Yamuna during the Kumbha Mela.
People observe that holy dips in rivers, particularly the Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri, are significant for divine rituals. It is said that taking a bath will grant merit or atone for previous transgressions. They also offer prayers to the sun and express gratitude for all of their blessings. According to Indian customs, Hindus in several regions of the country make sticky, binding sweets, especially with sesame (til) and a sugar basis like jaggery (gud, gur). This kind of confection is a representation of people coming together in harmony and delight despite their individuality and peculiarities.
Makara Sankranti’s special cuisine and Recipe:
We are giving here Makara Sankranti special cuisine names and their recipes. Please make them at home and celebrate auspicious Makara Sankranti.
- Til Aur Gur Ke Ladoo (Sesame Balls) – Tilkut Recipe!
- Puran Poli And Kadhi and its Recipe!
- Sabudana Khichdi (Sago Khichdi) and Its Recipe!
- Sabudana Vada Or Fried Dumplings Recipe!
- Besan Ka Halwa – a sweet dish and its recipe with video!
Auspicious time of Makar Sankranti:
– According to Udayatithi, Makar Sankranti will be celebrated this time on 15 January 2024. On this day, the Sun will enter Capricorn at 2:54 pm.
– Makar Sankranti Punyakaal – 07:15 AM to 06:21 PM
– Makar Sankranti Maha Punyakal – 07:15 am to 09:06 am
Makar Sankranti worship method:
On this day, water must be offered to the Sun God. Offer myrrh and incense to the Sun God. Then light a lamp in the name of Sun God. After that, offer urad khichdi and sesame laddus to the Sun God and donate it to the poor. Mix black sesame seeds and jaggery in water in a copper pot and offer it to the Sun God. Recite Harivansh Purana. Chant the mantra Om Suryay Namah. Offer Arghya to the Sun by adding red flowers and Akshat. Chant Surya Beej Mantra. Do not consume food in the evening.
Do these special measures on the day of Makar Sankranti:
1. Add black sesame seeds in bathing water on the day of Makar Sankranti. Taking bath with sesame water is considered very auspicious. Also, the person who does this gets relief from the disease.
2. On the day of Makar Sankranti, after bathing, offer water to the Sun God and add sesame seeds in the water offered to the Sun God. By doing this the doors of a person’s destiny open.
3. By donating blankets, warm clothes, ghee, dal, rice khichdi and sesame seeds on this day, one gets freedom from sins committed even by mistake and brings happiness and prosperity in life.
4. On this day, while giving water for the peace of the ancestors, add sesame seeds in it. By doing this the souls of the ancestors get peace.
5. If you are facing any financial problem then install Surya Yantra in the house on this day and chant Surya Mantra 501 times.
6. To reduce any kind of Sun defect present in the horoscope, float a copper coin or a square piece of copper in running water.
What things to donate on Makar Sankranti:
1. Sesame seeds – Donating sesame seeds on Makar Sankranti is considered auspicious. Shani Dev is pleased by donating sesame seeds.
2. Khichdi- Eating Khichdi on the day of Makar Sankranti is as auspicious as donating it is also considered auspicious.
3. Jaggery- Donating jaggery on this day is also auspicious. By donating jaggery one gets the blessings of Sun God.
4. Oil- It is auspicious to donate oil on this day. By doing this one gets the blessings of Shani Dev.
5. Grains- By donating five types of grains on the day of Makar Sankranti, every wish is fulfilled.
6. Revadi – Donating Revadi on the day of Makar Sankranti is also considered auspicious.
7. Blanket – It is auspicious to donate blanket on this day. This calms Rahu and Saturn.
Lucky for 3 zodiac signs on Makar Sankranti after 77 years:
This time Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on 15 January 2024. With the Uttarayan of the Sun, Kharmas will also end and all the auspicious works will start. This time Makar Sankranti is being considered very special because on this day, after many years, some rare combination of Yoga is taking place due to which good days will begin for some zodiac signs. The day of Makar Sankranti is special for worshiping the Sun. In such a situation, the fortunes of special zodiac signs will shine like the sun on this day.
This auspicious coincidence will happen on Makar Sankranti after 77 years, the luck of these 3 zodiac signs will change!
After 77 years, there is a coincidence of Variyaan Yoga and Ravi Yoga on Makar Sankranti on January 5, 2024. On this day, Mercury and Mars will also be present in the same zodiac sign Sagittarius, the combination of these planets is very beneficial for people working in politics and writing.
Variyaan Yoga – On January 15, this yoga will last from 2:40 am to 11:11 pm.
Ravi Yoga – On January 15, it will be from 07:15 am to 08:07 am.
Monday – After five years, Makar Sankranti is falling on Monday. In such a situation, you will receive the blessings of Lord Shiva along with the Sun.
Zodiac Sign Leo: Sun’s Uttarayan on Makar Sankranti will be no less than a boon for you. The combination of Ravi and Variyaan Yoga will give you success as well as prosperity in your career. There will be an increase in the work of employed people, they will get new responsibilities which can give auspicious results in the long run. There are strong chances of growth in business. Happiness will return in marital life and relations with love partner will become sweet.
Zodiac Sign Aries: On Makar Sankranti, Sun will enter the 10th house of Aries. This house of the horoscope is related to career and business. In such a situation, the auspicious coincidence happening on Makar Sankranti will give you benefits in wealth and reputation. Your respect and honor will increase in the workplace. Obstacles coming in progress will be removed. There are signs of increase in salary. You will get success in partnership work in business.
Zodiac Sign Pisces – Makar Sankranti will be very beneficial for Pisces people. During this period your sources of income will increase. The business deal that has been going on for a long time may be finalized. Love life will also be better than before. There will be a very good atmosphere at the workplace, people will praise your work. You may get a good offer regarding job.
Conclusion:
Makar Sankranti is a joyous festival that is celebrated with great enthusiasm across India. It is a time to give thanks for the blessings of the sun and the earth, and to look forward to a new year with hope and optimism.
It is a time for families and friends to come together and share in the blessings of the season.