Makar Sankranti is a Hindu festival observed by Hindus throughout India and falls in the month of January. It is the only festival in the Hindu calendar that falls precisely on the same date every year ā 14th January, although with few exceptions of January 15th. Read the below Essay on Makar Sankranti to know more about the festival.
Makar Sankranti is a festival that is celebrated by various communities throughout India, although with different names. Hindus and Sikhs belonging to the state of Punjab and adjacent areas celebrate it as āMaghiā; In Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka it is known as āPedda Pandagaā; in Tamil Nadu, the festival is celebrated as āPongalā and in Assam, it is called āMagh Bihuā.
Being celebrated by so many different communities, with vast linguistic and cultural differences; āMakar Sankranti manifests Indiaās cultural and religious unity.
The festival of āMakar Sankrantiā is observed by many festivities throughout India and also has solar, religious and agricultural connections, which we will learn further in the below Essay on Makar Sankranti.
Table of Contents
When Is Makar Sankranti 2019?
Almost every year the festival of āMakar Sankrantiā is celebrated on 14th January, but in 2019 it will be observed on January 15th. The reason for this is that the celestial events of āMakar Sankrantiā will occur on the night of January 14th (Sun will enter Makara Rashi at 7:50 P.M. on January 14th), shifting the festival celebrations by a day ā January 15th.
Why Is Makar Sankranti Celebrated?
The festival of āMakara Sankrantiā marks the transition of Sun from āSagittariusā Rashi into the āMakaraā or āCapricornā Rashi; as per the Hindu Lunar calendar. In other words, it marks the passage of Sun from Tropic of Cancer to the Tropic of Capricorn (Makara); through, the Winter Solstice.
āMakar Sankrantiā also marks the advent of Sun into the Northern Hemisphere (also known as āUttaryanaā) resulting in longer days and shorter nights with the end of Winter Solstice.
Therefore, āMakar Sankrantiā marks the celebration of Sunās transition into Makar Rashi and also the beginning of the spring season.
What āMakar Sankrantiā Means?
The term āMakar Sankrantiā is a combination of two different concepts ā āMakaraā and āSankrantiā. Since ages Hindus have been observing important cosmic activities and have named those related to the migration of Sun from one Zodiac sign to another as āSankrantiā.
Therefore āMakara Sankrantiā represents the migration (Sankranti) of Sun into the āMakarā Rashi and marks the arrival of the spring season in India. There is a āSankrantiā every month when the sun passes from one zodiac sign to another, but āMakar Sankrantiā is the most important and auspicious of them all.
The Mythological/Historical Significance of Makar Sankranti
There are many stories in Hindu mythology which indicate that the day of āMakar Sankrantiā was observed and also held much significance, even thousands of years back. A few of such historical events along with the significance of āMakar Sankrantiā are given below-
i) Transition to Next Life
One of the most important Hindu epic āMahabharataā mentions that āBhishma Pitamahā refused to leave his body and waited for āUttaryanaā (celebrated today as Makar Sankranti) to do so, as the day was believed to be auspicious for transiting to a new life. This also indicates the significance as well as the auspiciousness of the celestial occurrence, even 5000 years back.
ii) Liberation from Sufferings and Pain.
It was on the day of āMakar Sankrantiā that King Bhagirath is believed to have bathed in holy Ganga and liberated his ancestors form the curse of Kapil Muni. Thus, āMakar Sankrantiā is also considered as a day that liberates suffering and pain.
iii) Execution of Responsibilities
According to Hindu mythology Lord Shani is the owner of Makara constellation and on the day of āMakar Sankranti,ā he is visited by Sun. As Sun is the foster father of Shani, they donāt share a very cordial relationship; however, Shani well understands his responsibilities and takes care of his father. Thus, āMakar Sankrantiā also professes to fulfill oneās responsibilities.
iv) End of Evil
The auspicious occasion of āMakar Sankrantiā also signifies the end of evil, darkness, dishonesty, and discontentment, as it was on this day that Goddess Durga as āMahisasurmardiniā is believed to first set foot on earth; to kill Mahisasur and end the darkness.
What is The Agriculture Connection of āMakar Sankrantiā?
The auspicious occasion of āMakar Sankrantiā is also associated with mainly rice harvest in different states of India. Especially in Punjab and Southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu; Makar Sankranti marks the beginning of rice harvesting and crops play a vital role in the celebrations.
Also in the state of Assam, the festival is called āMagh Bihuā and marks the beginning of rice harvesting. The festival is celebrated with a week of festivities including feasts and gatherings. Earlier the celebrations were observed for a month, hence the name āMaghā meaning a month.
Significant Public Gatherings On āMakar Sankrantiā
The festival of āMakar Sankrantiā witnesses many large and small public gatherings, to celebrate the festivities and share the joy. But, there are few gatherings organized on the day or coinciding with āMakar Sankrantiā, which had since centuries earned the distinction of being the largest public gathering in India and also in the world. A brief description of some of the important gatherings on āMakar Sankrantiā is given below.
i) āKumbhā And āMaha Kumbhā
The auspicious day of āMakar Sankrantiā also witnesses some of the largest gatherings of Hindu pilgrimage. In Prayraj (initially Allahabad), at the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati millions of Hindus gather every six and twelve years to take a dip into the holy confluence on the occasions of Kumbh (every 6 years) and Mahakumbh (every 12 years). The bathing continues for a month, beginning on the day of āMakar Sankrantiā or usually coinciding with it. Hindus believe that a bath in the holy waters on the auspicious day of āMakar Sankrantiā would make them immortal.
āKumbhā and āMahakumbhā are the largest congregation of Hindus, in the world. The next Kumbh at Pragraj scheduled to begin from 15th January 2019, is expected to have 150 Million pilgrims.
ii) At Ganga Sagar Island
On the day of Makar, Sankranti Millions gather at Sagar Islands in West Bengal on the banks of Hooghly River. Hooghly is a distributary of Ganges and a dip in it on the day of āMakar Sankrantiā is considered auspicious and believed to cleanse people of their sins.
It the largest fair in West Bengal and is observed for three days and Millions of pilgrims gather at Sagar Islands.
Which Gods Are Worshipped on āMakar Sankrantiā?
The festival of āMakar Sankrantiā commemorates many Hindu Gods and in the way it also celebrates the hard work of Indian farmers. Since it marks the beginning of harvest season of Kharif crop; Indra and Sun God are praised at many places. Indra is praised because he has the power to form and control rains and Sun (Surya) because of the beginning of harvest season.
Why Kites Are Flown on āMakar Sankrantiā?
āMakar Sankrantiā marks the end of Winter Solstice and the beginning of spring. Staring from Makar Sankranti the days begin to get longer and warmer.
The custom of kite flying on āMakar Sankrantiā has health benefits apart from providing entertainment. The purpose of the custom is to get you out in the early morning sun and get warm in healthy rays of Sun, after a long chilly winter. The rays of the Sun on āMakar Sankrantiā are the brightest and hottest than in the gone months and are a good source of Vitamin D; beneficial to skin and other cold-related ailments.
How Makar Sankranti Is Celebrated?
The different Indian States have their own cultures and traditions of celebrating Makar Sankranti. In whichever state āMakar Sankrantiā is celebrated, there is one thing in common and that is the preparation of delicacies. A variety of sweets and other delicacies are prepared days before the advent of āMakar Sankrantiā.
Hundreds of variety of sweets and dishes are prepared from North to South and from East to West; so much so that it is not possible to mention them all here. Though, some of the delicacies with their respective states are ā Andhra Pradesh ā Ballam Appalu, Kudumulu, Dappalam; Karnataka ā Ellu Bella (groundnut mixed with jaggery); Delhi ā kheer, churma and til ladoos; Maharashtra- Til gud Ladoo, Puran Poli, Halwa etc; Assam ā Rice cakes of various varieties; Uttar Pradesh – Kichdi.
The celebrations of āMakar Sankrantiā differ from state to state, like the delicacies. Mostly the celebrations are rooted in ages-old local customs and traditions. A brief description on āMakar Sankranti Celebrationsā in some important parts of India is given below-
i) Delhi and Haryana
In Delhi and Haryana the day marks the preparation of sweets and other delicacies like ā kheer, til ladoos etc. It is customary for brother of a married woman to visit her and her in laws with gifts, which may include ā sweets, clothes etc. Women of a community sing folk songs to celebrate the day.
ii) Punjab
In Punjab, āMakar Sankrantiā is observed as Maghi. It is customary to take bath in a river and people dance their famous āBhangraā to the sounds of drums. Community meals are prepared for everyone and after long dance and enjoyment people settle down to relish a filling meal.
iii) Rajasthan and Western Madhya Pradesh
Local sweets like ghewar, til ladoos, gajak, jaggery sweets are prepared. Women give any house hold items to any thirteen married women. There is also a tradition to invite a daughter or sister to celebrate her first āMakar Sankrantiā after marriage, at her ancestral house. A festive meal is prepared for the woman and her husband. People also fly kites and distribute clothes to the needy.
iv) Tamil Nadu
In Tamil Nadu āMakar Sankrantiā is celebrated as a four day festival and is called āPongalā. A traditional sweet dish is prepared by boiling rice with fresh milk and jaggery, topped with various nuts and raisins and offered to Sun God before consumption. The other day cattle are bathed, decorated and fed, to thank them for their hard work and in fields.
v) Odisha
The Konark Temple in Odisha gets storming with people who go there to worship Sun God as he transits northwards on the auspicious occasion of āMakar Sankrantiā. Various other gatherings/melas are organized at different places ā Dhanbaleshwar in Cuttack, Makara /muni temple in Balasore etc.
vi) Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand
In the state of Uttar Pradesh devotees take dip in holy Ganga and pray to sun God. Millions go to the holy cities of Varanasi, Prayagraj (Allahabad) and Haridwar in Uttarakhand, to take a dip into Ganga. They believe that bathing in the holy water of Ganga on the auspicious day, relieve them of all their past sins and attain enlightenment. A local dish āKichdiā: a mixture of rice, pulse and vegetables is prepared. Kite flying on āMakar Sankrantiā has become an integral part of festival, for the people of Uttar Pradesh as well as Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
What To Do On/How To Celebrate āMakar Sankrantiā?
There are a number of ways to celebrate āMakar Sankrantiā and be part of a significant celestial change and also to admire the power of Sun and acknowledge its significance. Some of the activities which could be undertaken on the day are given below-
1) Stand In The Sun
Makar Sankranti is an auspicious day marking the transition of Sun into Makara Rasi and end of Winter Solstice. The days, beginning from Makar Sankranti start to get longer and warmer. So, go stand out in the early morning Sun and get healed after a long winter. On the day sun shines bright and the rays are loaded with Vitamin D; beneficial for both skin and winter related ailments.
2) Pray to The Sun God
Face East and take a moment to thank āSunā for his blessings in the form of heat that he provides, which is indeed essential for life on earth. Sun plays a significant role in harvests, rains and other essentialities of life. There would be no life without Sun. Acknowledge this fact and return the gesture.
3) Take a Holy dip
If you are fortunate enough to be residing near a holy river, then donāt forget to take a dip into the water and pray to the early morning Sun. It is a tradition, which is being followed since thousands of years and it also has hidden health benefits for atheists too.
4) Fly Kite
Kite flying on the festival of āMakar Sankrantiā has become a tradition in almost all north Indian states. It provides entertainment as well an excuse to stay in the sun for longer duration. So go out and fly a kite, but remember to stay safe and also keep others safe. Avoid dangerous and banned strings used for kite flying.
5) Donate
āMakar Sankrantiā Marks the end of winter and advent of spring season. You can donate rice, jaggery etc to the poor along with winter clothes like ā blankets, sweaters etc. Donation is a best way to share your joy with those who most need it as well as to show your concern to nature and its inhabitants.
6) Celebrate Together
In whichever state you reside in whatever traditions, culture or rituals you follow; celebrate the festival together with others from your community, socializing with them. Give sweets exchange pleasantries or just go visit your friends or relatives. Socializing increases the joy of the festival by making it more enjoyable and significant.