Makar Sankranti, a prominent Hindu festival celebrated across India and parts of South Asia, marks the transition of the Sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makara) and signifies the end of the winter solstice. Falling in mid-January, it is one of the few Hindu festivals aligned with the solar calendar, making its date relatively constant each year.
Why do we celebrate Makar Sankranti?
Makara Sankranti holds immense cultural, agricultural, and spiritual significance:
1. A Harvest Festival
The festival coincides with the end of the winter harvest season. For agrarian societies, it marks a time of joy and gratitude as farmers bring home the fruits of their labor. Communities celebrate the abundance of crops such as rice, sugarcane, and sesame.
2. Astronomical Significance
Makar Sankranti is celebrated when the Sun moves into Capricorn, marking its journey toward the northern hemisphere. We call this transition Uttarayan, signifying the arrival of longer days and the end of the harsh winter. The Sun's movement is believed to bring prosperity and happiness.
3. A Spiritual Journey
In Hindu tradition, Uttarayan is considered an auspicious time for new beginnings and spiritual practices. People believe that souls who achieve liberation (moksha) during this period receive blessings. The Mahabharata even references Bhishma Pitamah choosing this period to leave his mortal body.
How does India celebrate it?
Regional variations add a unique flavour to the celebrations of Makara Sankranti.
• North India (Punjab and Haryana): Lohri: The night before Makara Sankranti is celebrated as Lohri, a bonfire festival symbolising the end of winter and the beginning of the harvest season. People gather to sing folk songs and enjoy delicacies made of sesame, jaggery, and peanuts.
West India (Maharashtra and Gujarat): In Maharashtra, families exchange tilgul (sesame and jaggery sweets) with the greeting "Tilgul ghya ani god god bola," meaning "Take this sweet and speak sweetly." In Gujarat, the skies are filled with kites as people participate in the International Kite Festival to mark the occasion.
South India (Tamil Nadu - Pongal): Known as Pongal in Tamil Nadu, this four-day festival includes cooking the traditional dish Pongal, made of rice and jaggery. The Sun God receives it as a gesture of gratitude.
East India (West Bengal and Odisha): People take a holy dip in rivers like the Ganga and Brahmaputra, believing it cleanses sins. In Bengal, the Ganga Sagar Mela is a major event where pilgrims gather at the confluence of the Ganga and the Bay of Bengal.
Central India (Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh): Communities prepare sweets made from sesame and jaggery, fly kites, and offer prayers to the Sun God.
The significance of Makar Sankranti
1. Symbol of Renewal
Makar Sankranti symbolises the renewal of life by encouraging people to let go of the past and embrace positivity. The festival’s essence lies in gratitude, sharing, and starting anew.
2. Celebration of Unity
Despite its regional variations, the festival unites people across India in their expressions of gratitude and joy. It bridges communities through shared customs like flying kites, preparing festive foods, and offering prayers.
3. A Time for Charity
The festival emphasises giving and sharing, particularly among the less fortunate. Acts of charity, such as donating food and clothes, are considered especially meritorious during this time.
Modern-Day Relevance
In today’s fast-paced world, Makar Sankranti serves as a reminder of our connection to nature and the importance of gratitude. It unites families and offers a chance to contemplate enduring traditions.
As the Sun begins its northward journey, Makar Sankranti continues to light the way for spiritual growth, agricultural prosperity, and communal harmony—a timeless celebration that transcends borders and generations.
Read Exclusive COVID-19 Coronavirus News updates, at MyNation.