Makar Sankranti
- Makar Sankranti is one of the most beautiful occasions celebrated across India with utmost zeal and enthusiasm. The festival embarks every year in January. The primary reason behind celebrating this beautiful occasion is to bid adieu to the winter season and adore the harvesting times.
- Makar Sankranti refers to the time when the sun takes a turn and moves towards the northwards region. Sun moves in the uttarayan direction after the onset of Makar Sankranti. Thus, this festival is also known as Uttarayan.
Significance of Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti is a day solely dedicated to the mighty powers of the sun. Sankranti is a primary deity in our mythological history. It is believed that goddess Sankranti demolished a dangerous monster known as Sankarasur. Kardin or Kinkrant is the day that falls right to the next day of Makar Sankranti. On Kardin, Goddess Sankranti destroyed another monster called Kinkarasur. Thus, along with the sun, this festival also glorified the powers of goddess Sankranti. Makar Sankranti festival also highlights the importance of movement in life. During the occasion, there takes place significant movements in the zodiac signs. The festival gives us a beautiful message that we should adore the pause and stillness in life and prepare ourselves for new endeavours. It gives us the message that to prosper in life, continuous movement is crucial.
Rituals of Makar Sankranti
- One of the most beautiful aspects of the Makar Sankranti festival is that it is celebrated across India but with different names. Different rituals are followed to celebrate the occasion.
- In Punjab and Haryana regions, the festival is celebrated as Lohri. The festivity is celebrated as a donation or most commonly Khichdi donation in the Uttar Pradesh state. In Bihar, too, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as a festival of Khichdi. On this day, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh indulge in pious donations of urad, rice, sweets, clothing, blankets, etc. In the Maharashtra region, this festival plays a vital role in married women’s lives.
- They exchange cotton, salt, and oil with other married women and commemorate the occasion. A grand kite festival takes place in Gujarat on Makar Sankranti. In Tamil Nadu, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Pongal and the celebrations go on for four days. In the Bengal area, til or sesame is donated to poor people, and participation in grand affairs at Gangasagar also occurs.
- The puja of Makar Sankranti takes place by cleaning the house and puja area. Devotees should wake up early and take a bath. Then, the puja of great Lord Shani should be organized. A special prasad of sweet ghevar or til and jaggery laddoos should be made. Surya Dev puja must be organized in the house by following all the rituals and preparations. Surya Dev’s mantra should be chanted wholeheartedly twelve times to please the tremendous energies of the mighty Sun. Devotees also indulge in holy bath dips in sacred rivers of Ganga, Krishna, Yamuna, Godavari, and Kaveri. People wear black clothing on Makar Sankranti and indulge in charity sessions.
Boons of Makar Sankranti
There are a good number of advantages of celebrating Makar Sankranti-
- Devotees can gain wealth and prosperity by observing the festivities of Makar Sankranti.
- Makar Sankranti is the perfect occasion to begin any new venture.
- Makar Sankranti is a very pious festival. One must celebrate it with sheer zeal and fervour to attain the greatest blessings of the sun and goddess Sankranti.
- One must express gratitude for their belongings to Lord Sun and must express their desires. The energy of the sun will guide you towards a happy and fulfilling path in life.
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