Why Is Makar Sankranti Celebrated?

Makar Sankranti is a Hindu festival that is celebrated every year in January. It is one of the few festivals that is celebrated across the country with great enthusiasm and joy. The festival is also known as Uttarayan or Maghi in different parts of India. The festival has a lot of significance, and in this article, we will explore why Makar Sankranti is celebrated.

Historical Significance

Makar Sankranti has been celebrated in India for centuries. The festival marks the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn, known as Makara in Sanskrit. According to Hindu mythology, on this day, Lord Surya, or the Sun God begins his journey northward from the Tropic of Capricorn towards the Tropic of Cancer. 

It is said that the Sun God visits his son, Shani, on this day, and the father-son duo forgets their differences and meets each other. This symbolizes the importance of family relationships and forgiveness.

Agricultural Significance

Apart from its historical significance, Makar Sankranti also has great agricultural importance. In India, the festival marks the beginning of the harvest season. Farmers begin harvesting their crops and offer their first produce to the gods as a token of gratitude. 

In some parts of India, people also celebrate the festival by flying kites, which is symbolic of the farmers’ hopes and aspirations for a good harvest. The festival is also known as Pongal in South India, where it is celebrated by cooking rice in milk and offering it to the gods.

Religious Significance

Makar Sankranti is celebrated with great religious fervor across India. In some parts of the country, it is believed that taking a dip in the holy rivers on this day can cleanse one’s sins. Millions of people visit the Ganga Sagar in West Bengal or the Triveni Sangam in Allahabad to take a holy dip in the river. In Maharashtra, the festival is celebrated by exchanging til-gul or sesame and jaggery, which symbolizes the sweet and bitter experiences of life.

Cultural Significance

Makar Sankranti is a festival that is celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy across India. People dress up in new clothes and prepare traditional delicacies. In some parts of India, people also organize fairs and carnivals to mark the occasion. 

The festival also symbolizes the unity and diversity of India, as it is celebrated in different ways in different parts of the country. The festival is also a time for people to come together and celebrate their shared culture and heritage.

How is Makar Sankranti celebrated in different parts of India?

Makar Sankranti, also known as Uttarayan or Maghi, is a festival that is celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy across India. It is a time for people to come together, celebrate their shared culture and traditions, and strengthen their relationships with each other. 

However, the way in which the festival is celebrated varies from region to region in India. Let’s take a look at some of the different ways in which Makar Sankranti is celebrated in different parts of India.

1. Uttar Pradesh

In Uttar Pradesh, Makar Sankranti is celebrated by taking a dip in the holy Ganges river. Millions of people from all over India come to Allahabad to take a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of three rivers – the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. 

It is believed that taking a dip in the river on this day can cleanse one’s sins. In addition to this, people in Uttar Pradesh also prepare traditional delicacies like til-gud and gajar ka halwa.

2. Gujarat

In Gujarat, Makar Sankranti is celebrated by flying kites. The sky is filled with colorful kites of all shapes and sizes, and people of all ages come together to participate in this unique tradition. The festival is also celebrated by preparing traditional sweets like laddoos, chikkis, and undhiyu, a mixed vegetable dish that is cooked using fresh produce from the harvest.

3. Tamil Nadu

In Tamil Nadu, Makar Sankranti is known as Pongal and is celebrated over a period of four days. The festival is dedicated to the Sun God and is celebrated by preparing sweet rice dishes like pongal and vadai. On the second day of the festival, people decorate their houses with colorful kolams, and on the third day, cows and bulls are decorated with colorful paint and flowers.

4. Maharashtra

In Maharashtra, Makar Sankranti is celebrated by exchanging til-gul or sesame and jaggery. The tradition is to say “til-gul ghya, god god bola” which means “eat til-gul and speak sweet words”. The festival is also celebrated by preparing traditional sweets like puran poli and by participating in fairs and carnivals.

5. Assam

In Assam, Makar Sankranti is known as Bhogali Bihu and is celebrated by preparing traditional delicacies like pitha, a type of rice cake, and lai xaak, a type of spinach. The festival is also celebrated by building bonfires and by participating in traditional sports like buffalo fighting and egg-fighting.

These are just a few examples of how Makar Sankranti is celebrated in different parts of India. The festival has many different cultural and religious significance across India, and it is a time for people to come together and celebrate their shared culture and heritage.

What are some common traditions associated with Makar Sankranti?

Makar Sankranti is one of the most important festivals celebrated in India. It is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm and joy across the country, and different regions have their own unique traditions and customs associated with the festival. In this article, we will explore some of the common traditions associated with Makar Sankranti.

1. Flying Kites

One of the most popular traditions associated with Makar Sankranti is flying kites. People of all ages come together to fly kites in open spaces, rooftops, and terraces. In some parts of the country, kite flying competitions are also held, and people try to cut each other’s kites using special strings called manja. 

Kite flying is not just a fun activity but also has symbolic importance. It is believed that by flying kites, people are sending a message of hope and positivity to the gods, and they are also praying for good harvest and prosperity.

2. Taking a Holy Dip

In some parts of India, it is believed that taking a holy dip in the rivers on Makar Sankranti can cleanse one’s sins. Millions of people visit the Ganga Sagar in West Bengal or the Triveni Sangam in Allahabad to take a dip in the holy water. People also offer prayers and perform rituals on the riverbanks to seek blessings from the gods.

3. Making Traditional Food

Makar Sankranti is a festival of food, and people prepare a variety of traditional delicacies on this day. In South India, people make Pongal, which is a sweet dish made of rice, milk, and jaggery. 

In North India, people make til laddoos, chikki, and gajak, which are made of sesame seeds and jaggery. In Maharashtra, people exchange til-gul, which is a mixture of sesame and jaggery, and offer it to each other as a symbol of love and friendship.

4. Donating to the Needy

Makar Sankranti is also a festival of giving, and people donate food, clothes, and money to the needy on this day. It is believed that by helping the less fortunate, people can earn blessings from the gods and lead a more fulfilling life. Many organizations and individuals also organize food drives and distribute food packets to the poor and homeless on this day.

5. Decorating Homes

On Makar Sankranti, people decorate their homes with colorful rangolis, flowers, and lights. They also hang garlands of mango leaves on their doors and windows, which is believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. People also clean their homes and get rid of old and unwanted things, which is seen as a way of making space for new and positive things in life.

In conclusion, Makar Sankranti is a festival that is celebrated with a lot of zeal and enthusiasm across India. The festival has several traditions and customs associated with it, and different regions have their own unique ways of celebrating it. 

From flying kites to taking a holy dip, from making traditional food to donating to the needy, from decorating homes to cleaning them, Makar Sankranti is a festival that symbolizes hope, positivity, and new beginnings.

Conclusion

Makar Sankranti is a festival that has great significance in Indian culture and tradition. The festival marks the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn, and it also marks the beginning of the harvest season. 

The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy across India and symbolizes the unity and diversity of the country. It is a time for people to come together, celebrate their shared culture, and strengthen their relationships with each other.

What are some of your favorite memories of celebrating Makar Sankranti or any other festivals? Share them in the comments below!