Date, timing and tithi of the festival
For the year 2023, Makar Sankranti is observed on Sunday, January 15. The Hindu majority in India celebrates Makar Sankranti, a harvest festival.
Timing
Makar Sankranti on Sunday, January 15, 2023
Makar Sankranti Punya Kala – 06:36 AM to 06:02 PM
Duration – 11 Hours 26 Mins
Tithi
January 15th, 2023, will be Makar Sankranti. Punyakaal, also known as the puja and holy bath time, will start on January 15, 2023, at 7:15 a.m. The day the Sun enters Capricorn, also known as Makara, is called Makar Sankranti. The beginning of spring is marked by this festival, also known as Uttarayana Punyakalam.
Overview
- Makara Sankranti is another name for the Hindu festival of Makar Sankranti.
- This celebration is also known as Maghi, a day of celebration for the Hindu Sun God.
- Every year in January, people celebrate it. In addition to being widely observed in India, Makar Sankranti is also commonly observed in Nepal.
While most Indian holidays are determined by the Chandra Chakra of the Hindu calendar, Makar Sankranti is one of the few ancient festivals commemorated in line with solar chakras. This event is observed across the nation on the same Gregorian date each year (January 14), albeit this date may change in leap years. Hindus and Sikhs in North India refer to the Makar Sankranti-related holidays by different names, such as Magahi or Lohri. Makar Sankranti is commemorated as “Pedda Pandwa” in Andhra Pradesh, “Sukhrata” in Central India, “Magh Bihubis” in Assam, and “Pongal” in Tamil Nadu.
Significance
- The word “Makara” means “Capricorn.” Makar Sankranti marks the Sun’s entry into “Makara Raashi,” or the “zodiac of Capricorn.”
- This festival heralds the arrival of spring and the conclusion of the long, chilly winter months.
- Back then, the Sun’s movement lengthened the length of the day. Thus, it is a celebration of transitioning from a harsher to a warmer climate as the seasons change—a signal of optimism and hope.
- This celebration is held in Surya’s (the Sun God’s) honour to honour his energy, which has made it possible for life and food to exist on earth.
- Given that it’s the harvest festival, the farming communities are experiencing joy, abundance, and festivity as they enjoy the results of their toil.
- When families come together and bury the hatchet, it is also a time for peace.
History behind the festival
The festival’s namesake deity, Sankranti, is revered as a deity. Hindu mythology claims that Sankranti slayed the demon Sankarasur. Karidin, often referred to as Kinkrant, is the day after Makar Sankranti. The Devi killed the demon Kinkarasur on this day.
Additionally, the Sun also plays a crucial role in Makar Sankranti. The southern hemisphere of the globe receives the majority of sunlight before the festival. However, it starts to head north during the festival season. Hindus believe this time, also known as Uttarayana or the Winter Solstice, is fortunate. The Mahabharata epic also claims that Bhishma, the top leader of the Kaurava armies, had postponed dying until the Uttarayana era.
Beliefs
It is evident that Makar Sankranti has some religious roots from the manner it is joyfully and faithfully observed in every state in India. Many religious texts refer to this holiday, illuminating its spiritual significance. The six months of Uttarayan is depicted as the deity’s daytime in the sacred text “Gita,” also known as the voice of Lord Krishna.
According to legend, those who sacrifice their bodies by dying in Uttarayan are given a position in “Krishna Lok.” That person is set free, unlike the person who passed away in Dakhshinayan, who must be born again. And the Dakhshinayan six-month period is the night of the gods.
Bhishma Pithama received the blessing of wish death during the time of the Mahabharata. Despite being on the bed of arrows, he did not give his life in the Dakhsinayan and instead waited for the Sun to set in Uttarayan. On the day of Makar Sankranti, as the Sun entered the Uttarayan, Bhishma Pithama is said to have dumped his body.
Another religious tale about Makar Sankranti claims that Yashoda Mata fasted to have Lord Krishna as her son. Additionally connected to Makar Sankranti is the tale of Gangawatra. According to legend, Ganga met the ocean on the day of Makar Sankranti after following Bhagirath Muni. On Makar Sankranti, a large number of devotees take a bath in Gangasagar due to the convergence of the Ganga and the ocean.
Saturn’s sign is Capricorn. The Sun enters the sign of Saturn on the day of Makar Sankranti. Saturn’s father is Sun God. Father visits son at home to greet him. Both the Sun and Saturn are powerful planets that can help people succeed greatly through their good fortune. People, therefore, rejoice in the Sun and Saturn on the holy holiday of Makar Sankranti.
The Festival of Truth, Virtue, and Religion is Makar Sankranti
While the day is viewed as a sign of truth, virtue, and religion, the night represents evil, deception, and wrongdoing. As a result, all good deeds are done when it is God’s Day. Work has good results as well. Days get longer, and nights get shorter on Makar Sankrati as the Sun enters the Uttarayan. Since the doors of Heaven are now open, people rejoice at the fortunate event.
The Festival of Blessings is Makar Sankranti
The Sun enters Uttarayan on the day of Makar Sankranti, bringing in long days. Married women pray to the Sun God for a long life for their husbands and send presents to their elders. In exchange, they receive the blessing that as the days grow longer, so too does their husbands’ lifespan.
Rituals Conducted
Sankranti Puja:
- Cleaning the house.
- Early morning oil bath.
- Mango leaves, flowers, and rangoli are used to decorate houses. Kolams or rangoli are also made.
- Set up the Puja Room and obtain a statue or representation of God Surya if you can.
You can perform a straightforward Sankranti Puja by praying as usual and offering flowers and akshata to your favourite deity. If you decide to perform a traditional puja, read the steps below:
Things needed for Makar Sankranti Pooja
Lamp
Coconut
Betel leaves
Betel nuts
Flowers
Water
Rice mixed with turmeric powder (akshata)
Sesame seeds or til (ellu bella), sugarcane as naivedya (sesame seeds with jaggery)
Puja is the time when all green produce that is in season is stored. It alludes to wealth and reverence for Mother Nature, who feeds us with sustenance.
How is the Sankranti Puja performed?
When the Sun enters Makara Rasi, the pooja is done. It usually takes place after sunrise. You can consult the Panchanga to determine the precise hour.
- You might break open a coconut for puja and arrange it on a platter with betel leaves and betel nuts.
- Water should be sprinkled on the tray.
- On Makar Sankranti, a candle with two wicks or two lamps is typically lit. Turn on the lamp with recommended red oil colour.
- Flowers of a crimson or orange hue should be presented.
- Begin your prayers by thinking of Ganesha.
- Next, offer a prayer to Lord Surya or your favourite god.
- Chant the Gayatri Mantra or read Aditya Hridayam if you’re praying to Surya.
- In your puja room, place some flowers and rice combined with turmeric powder in front of the idol of the deity.
- Put til or sesame candies in front of the god.
- Practice meditation or recite some short prayers.
- Distribute the naivedya.
Various communities practise different forms of Sankranti Dhanam. In some locations, pumpkin or sugarcane is offered as Dhanam by newlywed ladies to other newlywed women and married women to other married women. Giving up until the last minute is meritorious.
On this day, several regions make a special meal that typically includes a variety of seasonal vegetables.
After a traditional supper, families visit neighbours and relatives in the evening and give gifts and treats made of til or sesame.
Traditional foods consumed
Maharashtra:
The unique treats prepared on this festival day include multicoloured halwa, pooran poli (flatbread stuffed with gramme flour and jaggery and served with pure ghee), and til-gul laddoo (sesame seed and jaggery balls).
Goa:
On the days of the celebration, foods made from rice, chana dal (Bengal gramme), jaggery, and coconut are prepared.
Karnataka:
The lavish feast prepared on this day includes lemon rice, vadas, sweet pongal, payasa (sweet pudding), and ellu bella (sesame seed and jaggery balls).
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana:
On this memorable day, various savoury dishes are served, including rice kheer, pudding, appalu, poornalu, and chakkara pongal. Poornalu is a confection composed of rice flour with a dal and jaggery paste filling inside.
Rajasthan:
Til laddoos (sesame seed balls), moongphali (peanuts), gajak (sesame seed, peanut, and jaggery sweet), dal pakodi (fried moong dal snack), and gajar ka halwa (carrot pudding) are a few of the delectable snacks prepared on this day.
FAQS
- What can be given as a gift on Sankranti?
Flowers.
Chocolates.
Decor for the home.
Cakes.
Picture frames
Jewellery.
- Why do we eat Tilgul on Makar Sankranti?
Til and Gur, which have a strong traditional connection to Makar Sankranti celebrations, are much more than just celebratory spices. Ayurveda considers being two of the best foods for winter since they assist the body in staying warm and boosting immunity.
- What transpires while the Sun enters Makar?
The Sun’s entry into Capricorn, also known as Makar Sankranti, is a crucial shift since it will undoubtedly bring prosperity to those working hard to advance in their careers and get respect from others.
- Are donations accepted on Sankranti?
The kitchenware can also be filled with cash, which can subsequently be given to someone in need. Giving on Makar Sankranti is an excellent way to start the New Year and can bring you happiness and success all year.
- What does flying a kite symbolize?
Kites have historically represented both destiny and prophecy.
- Which dal is offered in sacrifice on Makar Sankranti?
Khichdi with black urad dal
On Makar Sankranti, giving Khichdi is thought to have a particular meaning. Donations are made of rice and black urad dal khichdi on this day. Donating urad dal is believed to be associated with Shani Dev and eliminates Shani Dosha. Losing your ego while practising charity is encouraged.
- Who is worshipped on Makar Sankranti?
Hindus celebrate Makara Sankranti in January, a four-day holiday honouring Surya, the Sun god.
- Should we make a Makar Sankranti purchase?
The holiday known as Makar Sankranti, which celebrates the start of a new era, is observed throughout India, but various states have other names. It heralds the beginning of the new harvest season and is observed by buying new apparel and, more specifically, jewellery.
- What colour do people wear on Sankranti?
Wearing black, typically seen as unlucky to do on fortunate occasions, is one of the festival’s most significant aspects. Makar Sankranti is the coldest winter day because it is the day after the solstice.
- What specific foods are consumed on Sankranti?
In Uttar Pradesh, Makar Sankranti is also known as Khichdi because it is a harvest festival and one of the celebration’s staple cuisines.
- How is Makar Sankranti celebrated in different states of India?
Uttar Pradesh: Khichdi
Assam and the rest of North-East India observe Magh Bihu
Cockfight at Jonbeel mela
Punjab: Maghi
Kerala: Makaravilakku
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana’s Pedda Panduga
West Bengal’s Poush Sankranti
Tamil Nadu’s Thai Pongal
Gujarati Vasi Uttarayan
- Is Sankranti a celebration of kites?
Kite flying and eating sesame treats are traditional festivities associated with Makar Sankranti. According to legend, this day in our nation heralds the end of winter and the start of spring, bringing with it the delight of new crops for the farmers. The days will now always be longer than the nights.
- What is the significance of kite flying during Makar Sankranti?
The flock of bright kites flown in the winter morning sky is one of Makar Sankranti’s most eye-catching sights. Given that kites may be flown at great altitudes, closer to what some people think of as Heaven, many people view this enjoyable activity as a way to express gratitude to the Gods. Competitions for kite flying are also held frequently.
