Every year on January 15th, Hindus around the world celebrate Makar Sankranti – a festival honouring the Lord Sun, Surya.
On this day, believers offer prayers and make offerings to the Sun God in order to bring happiness and prosperity for themselves and their families. In this article, we’ll explore the history of Makar Sankranti and how its traditions have been adapted over time.
Introduction to Makar Sankranti
Happy Makar Sankranti! The festival of Makar Sankranti is one of the most important festivals in India. It is celebrated on the 14th of January every year and marks the beginning of the harvest season. Makar Sankranti is also known as the Festival of Kites, as people fly kites to celebrate the occasion.
Makar Sankranti is a very special day for Hindus all across India. On this day, they offer prayers to Sun God – Surya Deva. Makar Sankranti is also a day to thank Agni Deva – the god of fire. Fire plays an important role in this festival, as it is considered to be auspicious. People take holy dips in rivers and perform special puja rituals on this day.
Makar Sankranti celebrates the end of winter season and the start of spring season. It also signifies the end of negative energy and ushering in positivity. That’s why Makar Sankranti is also known as Uttarayan – which means ‘the movement towards north’. The sun begins its journey towards north on this day, and hence it is considered auspicious.
People dress up in new clothes on Makar Sankranti and exchange sweets with each other. They also visit temples and offer prayers to their favourite deities. In some parts of India, people light bonfires on this day to ward off the cold and welcome the warmth of spring.
Makar Sankranti is a very important festival in India, celebrated with great gusto and enthusiasm. People from all communities come together on this day to celebrate the occasion and bring joy to their lives. Here’s wishing you a Happy Makar Sankranti!
History & Legends Behind Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti is celebrated in countries across the world to mark the start of the harvest season. The festival is also known by many other names, including Lohri in India, Pongal in Tamil Nadu and Thailand Pongal in Thailand.
The word Makar means ‘Capricorn’ and Sankranti means ‘change or transition’. Makar Sankranti marks the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makara). This day falls on 14th January every year according to the Gregorian calendar.
Makar Sankranti is considered to be an auspicious day and is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm. People dress up in new clothes, exchange sweets and gifts, pray to the sun god (Surya), fly kites and enjoy feasts with family and friends.
The legend behind Makar Sankranti is associated with Lord Vishnu, who took the avatar of a Matsya (fish) to save humanity from a huge deluge. It is said that on this day, Lord Vishnu emerged from the waters along with a pot of amrita (nectar), which was distributed among all beings. This act signifies the beginning of life on earth and the start of the cosmic cycle.
Another popular legend associated with Makar Sankranti is that of Kalidasa, one of India’s greatest poets and dramatists.
Significance of Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti is an important festival in India. It marks the beginning of the sun’s journey into the Northern Hemisphere, known as the Uttarayana. Makar Sankranti is celebrated on the 14th of January every year. It is a day to thank the sun god for his blessings and to pray for a good harvest.
Makar Sankranti is also an important day for farmers. It marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of a new crop cycle. Farmers offer prayers to the sun god and ask for his blessings for a good harvest. They also exchange gifts and sweets with family and friends on this day.
Makar Sankranti is also a time for celebrating new beginnings. Families get together on this day and exchange gifts. They also visit each other’s homes and share meals. Makar Sankranti is a day of happiness and joy, and it is celebrated all over India with great enthusiasm.
Celebrations Around the World
Makar Sankranti is a Hindu festival that celebrates the winter solstice. It is observed each year on the 14th of January, and is also known as Pongal in South India.
This festival marks the end of the harvest season, and is thus a time of great celebration for farmers. In Maharashtra, for example, Makar Sankranti is celebrated with a special dish called ukdiche modak, which are sweet dumplings made of rice flour and filled with jaggery (unrefined sugar).
In Gujarat, Makar Sankranti is celebrated with kite flying. People of all ages come out to fly kites, and it is considered good luck to touch or cut another person’s kite.
Makar Sankranti is just one of many festivals that are celebrated around the world to mark the changing seasons. Others include the Chinese New Year, which falls on the first day of spring in the lunar calendar, and Carnaval in Brazil, which takes place before Lent each year.
Common Traditions & Rituals for Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti is one of the most popular festivals in India. It is celebrated in almost every state and has many different names. The festival marks the beginning of the harvest season and is celebrated with great enthusiasm.
One of the most common traditions associated with Makar Sankranti is flying kites. This tradition is popular in many parts of India and people of all ages enjoy flying kites. Another common tradition is giving offerings to the sun god, Surya. This is usually done by taking a holy bath in a river or pond and then offering prayers and flowers to the sun god.
Makar Sankranti also has a special significance for Hindus as it marks the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Makara (Capricorn). This transition is considered to be very auspicious and is believed to bring good luck. Hindus perform many rituals during Makar Sankranti, including fasting, donation, and pilgrimage.
How to Celebrate Makar Sankranti At Home
One of the most popular festivals in India, Makar Sankranti is celebrated in almost every state. The festival marks the beginning of the sun’s journey towards the north and is a time to celebrate the harvest season. While the festival is typically celebrated by flying kites and taking part in agricultural activities, there are many ways to celebrate Makar Sankranti at home.
Here are some tips on how to celebrate Makar Sankranti at home:
1. One of the simplest ways to celebrate Makar Sankranti at home is to prepare traditional sweets and snacks. Popular Sweet dishes include til ke laddoos, gajak, pongal, and patishapta. You can also make savory dishes like til chikki, chikki chaat, and til gul poli.
2. Another way to celebrate Makar Sankranti at home is to decorate your house with fresh flowers and rangoli designs. You can also light diyas (earthen lamps) around your house.
3. If you want to do something more active, you can play traditional games like tug-of-war, kite flying, or dodge ball. Or you can go out for a nature walk or picnic with family and friends.
4. And finally, don’t forget to dress up in new clothes! Wearing new clothes on Makar Sankranti symbolizes the freshness of a new start and marks your gratitude to God.
Delicious Recipes for the Special Occasion
When it comes to celebrating Makar Sankranti, delicious food is a must! This year, make your Makar Sankranti celebration extra special with these delectable recipes. From traditional sweets and snacks to mouthwatering main dishes, we’ve got you covered.
So, what are you waiting for? Get cooking!
Traditional Sweet and Snacks:
1. Til ladoo: These bite-sized balls of goodness are made with sesame seeds and jaggery, and are a traditional favorite during Makar Sankranti.
2. Poha chivda: This crispy snack is perfect for munching on during the festivities. It’s made with flattened rice, peanuts, and a variety of spices.
3. Khaja: A delicious deep-fried pastry, khaja is often served as dessert during Makar Sankranti celebrations.
4. Shankarpali: Also known as sweet meethi puri, Shankarpali is a popular snack made with flour, sugar, and ghee.
Delicious Main Dishes:
1. Bajre ki roti: This traditional millet flatbread is usually served with a side of ghee and pickles.
2. Undhiyu: A Gujarat-style vegetable dish, Undhiyu is traditionally served during Makar Sankranti celebrations. It comes in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian variations.
3. Masala puri: These spicy puff pastries are perfect for munching on when you want something savory, yet indulgent.
4. Gujarati Kadhi: This mild yogurt based curry is a classic and comforting accompaniment to your main meal.
All in all, Makar Sankranti is an important Hindu festival that has been celebrated for centuries. It marks the beginning of a new year and brings with it joyous occasions such as kite flying, feasting and cultural celebrations. This beautiful festival grants us the opportunity to celebrate our culture, practice yoga and come together as a family to enjoy each other’s company.
