Makar Sankranti falls on the 14th or 15th of January each year. This Hindu festival holds cultural and astronomical importance. Unlike most Hindu festivals based on the lunar calendar, Makar Sankranti aligns with the solar calendar. It indicates the sun’s motion into the Capricorn zodiac (Makara Rashi), heralding the end of the wintry weather solstice and the arrival of longer days. Let’s read about its rich records, unique traditions, and deeper significance.
What is Makar Sankranti?
Makar Sankranti is a Hindu harvest festival that celebrates the solar journey within the route of the northern hemisphere. This sun-based festival occurs on the same date each twelve months, in assessment to many others. “Makar” refers to Capricorn, and “Sankranti” manner transition.
This festival is specially great for farmers as it coincides with the harvest of flora like sugarcane, sesame, and rice. It also signifies the arrival of spring and bids farewell to the winter season.
Why is Makar Sankranti Celebrated?
Makar Sankranti holds significant astronomical importance as it marks the sun’s transition into Capricorn, beginning the auspicious Uttarayana phase. This six-month is considered as a favorable for spiritual growth and positive beginnings.
- Celebration of Harvest: Farmers have a good time a fulfillment harvest of their plants, imparting gratitude to nature for its abundance.
- Spiritual Beliefs: A holy dip in sacred rivers along side the Ganga, Yamuna, and Godavari is assumed to cleanse sins and attract divine benefits. The festival also honors Surya, the solar god, for being the source of life and sustenance.
This Hindu festival celebrated national, Makar Sankranti has various names and traditions throughout regions:
• Pongal (Tamil Nadu): A 4-day pageant celebrating nature and agriculture with rituals and rice dishes.
• Lohri (Punjab): Observed the night time earlier than Makar Sankranti with bonfires, humans song, and dance.
• Uttarayan (Gujarat): Famous for its colourful kite-flying festivities.
• Magh Bihu (Assam): A harvest festival with network feasts, bonfires, and video games.
• Khichdi (Uttar Pradesh and Bihar): Known for cooking and presenting khichdi, a lentil and rice dish, as a ritual.
How is Makar Sankranti Celebrated?
Makar Sankranti’s celebrations are colourful and diverse, showcasing India’s wealthy cultural ancient past
- Kite Flying: In Gujarat and Rajasthan, flying kites is a chief appeal. The sky fills with vibrant kites, representing joy and freedom.
- Holy Baths: Pilgrims visit at sacred rivers like the Ganga for ritualistic bathing, searching for purification and benefits.
- Bonfires and Gatherings: In Punjab, bonfires are lit for the duration of Lohri, bringing families and buddies together for feasts and celebrations.
- Charity and Generosity: People donate food, clothes, and cash to those in want, particularly sesame (til) and jaggery (gur), symbolizing warmth and sweetness.
- Special Festive Foods: Traditional delicacies like sesame-jaggery candies, sweet Pongal, and rice cakes are prepared and shared. For instance:
- Tilgul (Maharashtra): Sweet sesame and jaggery treats shared with the saying, “Tilgul ghya ani god bola” (Take sweets and talk kindly).
- Pongal (Tamil Nadu): A rice dish made with milk and jaggery.
- Pithe (Bengal): Rice cakes full of coconut and jaggery.
The Spiritual Role of the Sun God
Makar Sankranti is deeply rooted in spirituality, that specialize in Surya, the Sun God. Hindus regard the sun as a existence-preserving force and an embodiment of divinity. Devotees provide prayers to Surya, expressing gratitude for his power, which helps life on Earth.
Rituals of Makar Sankranti
1. Surya Puja: Devotees upward thrust early to carry out Surya Namaskar (sun salutations) and offer water to the solar on the equal time as reciting the Gayatri Mantra.
2. Holy River Baths: Ritualistic baths in sacred rivers like the Ganga are believed to cleanse sins and promote spiritual well-being.
3. Festive Fairs: Large gatherings and festival, consisting of the renowned Kumbh Mela, are prepared near rivers and pilgrimage place, attracting tens of thousands and thousands.
4. Sharing Sweets: Exchanging candies like tilgul promotes goodwill and strengthens social bonds.
Why is Makar Sankranti Important in Hinduism?
Makar Sankranti holds big spiritual and cultural importance:
• Auspicious Beginnings: Uttarayana, beginning with Makar Sankranti, is taken into consideration a divine segment for new ventures and spiritual growth.
• Liberation and Salvation: It is thought that people who pass away all through this era acquire moksha (liberation). The Mahabharata mentions Bhishma Pitamah choosing to depart his mortal frame for the duration of Uttarayana.
• Community and Harmony: The festival promotes team spirit and heat via shared traditions, meals, and rituals, fostering harmony in society.
Conclusion
Makar Sankranti is a vibrant festival that fantastically blends astronomical, agricultural, and spiritual. From flying kites to sharing candies and appearing rituals, it reminds us of lifestyles’s cyclical nature and the significance of gratitude. Its rich traditions and nearby flavors make it one among India’s maximum cherished festivals.
Celebrate this Makar Sankranti with warm temperature, compassion, and pleasure while honoring the splendor of shared traditions.
FAQs about Makar Sankranti
1. Why does Makar Sankranti fall at the same date annually?
It is based totally on the sun calendar, which aligns consistently with the Gregorian calendar.
2. What are the health benefits of sesame and jaggery?
Sesame and jaggery are nutritious, aiding digestion, offering warmth in winter weather, and boosting strength.
3. Is Makar Sankranti celebrated outside India?
Yes, it is located by means of Indian communities worldwide, specially in Nepal, Sri Lanka, and different nations with sizeable Indian populations.
4. Why is kite flying widespread?
Kite flying symbolizes reaching new heights and enjoying freedom. It is likewise a manner to bask in sunlight in the course of iciness, that’s useful for fitness.
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