Makar Sankranti 2024:History, Significance and Rituals of the Festival , Written By-Dr.Rashmi Vajpayee

 Makar Sankranti is celebrated as an important festival in India. Makar Sankranti comes every year on 15th January. ‘Makar’ indicates ‘Capricorn’ and the Shifting of the sun into ‘Makar Rashi’ or the ‘Zodiac of Capricorn’ is known as Makar Sankranti.

Makar Sankranti signifies a new beginning for everyone. It is the season to overlook the past and welcome new thoughts in one's life. It provides us an opportunity to thank god for our prosperity and welfare throughout the year.

History of Makar Sankranti-

The story has it that a wicked monster called Sankarasur used to torment people on Earth for no reason. Goddess Sankranti, on learning this, arrived on Earth and destroyed the devil. The festival of Sankranti is supposed to be glorified for the destruction of the wicked monster Sankarasur.

It is believed that anyone who passes away during Makar Sankranti will pass on to heaven and will never be reborn. This has been mentioned in religious texts like Mahabharata where Bhishma Pitamah, though wounded from the war, stayed alive until Sankranti so that he could blissfully pass on to heaven.

Significance of Makar Sankranti-

                       Photo by James Day on Unsplash

In the Vedas, Sankranti reveals the migration of the Sun from one Rashi(zodiac) to the next. Hence, there are 12 Sankranti’s in a year. Out of these, the Makar Sankranti is acknowledged as the most prosperous which is aligned with the solar cycle. The festival of Makar Sankranti signifies the beginning of the harvest season when fresh crops are worshipped and received with joy.

The harvest festival declares a change in season, since, from this day, the Sun starts its transition from Dakshinayana (south) to the Uttarayana (north) region. The festival, hence, is devoted to the Sun God.

 Rituals associated with Makar Sankranti-

(1)Festival of Khichdi or Donation-

Makar Sankranti is a time to eat freshly harvested food grains, which are first offered to the Gods and then eaten. Ayurveda advises eating Khichdi as it is a light and simply digestible food. The intention of eating Khichdi is that it indicates the body to prepare for the change in season, from the healthy yet cool winter season to the expected warm, springtime. 

The temperature throughout this time swings from being chilled to surprisingly warm, which creates your sensitivity towards the changing weather and unevenness in your body. Khichdi is an ideal dish to satisfy hunger and it also gives us health benefits. In Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, the Makar Sankranti celebration is known as Khichdi. On this day, donating urad, rice, woolen garments, have their significance.

2)Kites Are Flown During Makar Sankranti-

 In Gujarat and Rajasthan, the kite celebration is held on the incredible event of Makar Sankranti. Beautiful kites are flown by kids, and adults alike, in Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, etc. The ritual of kite flying is for healthy exposure to the early morning sun. The Sunrays provide a rich source of Vitamin D. The sunlight also heals in many skin infections and diseases. The sun rays serve as a primary disinfectant healing in curing colds.

3)Til/ Sesame Ladoos Occupy Central Place-

Til-Gud Or Sesame Jaggery Ladoos are the main desserts of this festival. These Ladoos are prepared and shared among loved ones. This indicates bonding and neglecting the ill past and spreading sweetness. The logical importance of these Ladoos is that the sesame seeds and jaggery help in maintaining the body warm. They also give a good amount of oil which is essential in providing moisture to the skin during winters.

4)Lohri-

One day prior to Makar Sankranti, on the 14th of January, Lohri is celebrated in Haryana and Punjab. In the night, people gather around the fire and throw puffed rice and popcorns into the flashes of the immense fire. Devotions and prayers are made to seek delight, well-being, growth, and prosperity.

 

So, how do you plan to spend this year’s Makar Sankranti? Let me know in the comments section! Happy Makar Sankranti ! 😍

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About Rashmi Vajpayee

Hello friends I am DrRashmi Vajpayee,PhD Awardee,Assistant professor and founder of Rashmi Vajpayee's Confessions on Culture.Here I share everything about Indian Culture and Festivals.I hope you guys enjoy my content so keep reading!.

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