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You are here : home > Indian Culture > Indian Festivals and occassions > Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is an important festival of the Hindus. Read about the significance of Makar Sankranti, the traditions and rituals of this festival. Find out why is Makar Sankranti celebrated and how Makar Sankranti, the harvest festival, is celebrated in different parts of India.

Makar Sankranti which is also known as Sankranti is a very auspicious day for Hindus. Makar Sankranti is the day the sun enters the Tropic of Capricorn. Makar means Capricorn and Sankrant stands for transition.

Introduction to Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti almost always falls on the same day every year that is the 14th of January. Makar Sankranti is a harvest festival and is celebrated as a form of giving thanks to nature. It marks the beginning of the harvest season.
The sun begins its journey northwards (Uttarayana) as opposed to the south. This is considered to be an auspicious time and is also said to be the 'holy period of transition'. On this day, the sun is worshipped.
It is believed that a person who dies during this auspicious period of Uttarayana is lucky as he goes to heaven. A person who dies during this period is said to become free from the cycle of rebirth.

Traditions and Rituals

On the day of Sankranti it is said that the Lord Sun (Surya) visits his son Shani. It is said that generally the two do not get along well but not this day, the Sun visits his son forgetting all differences of opinion. Hence, Makar Sankranti is considered to be a day to forget sourness and bitter relationships. One must forget all the bitterness or ill-feelings and talk sweetly with everybody.
On this day, people take a dip in the holy Ganga and offer water to the Surya (Sun God). By doing this, it is said that the sins will be cleansed and one can attain salvation. Taking a dip at Prayag is considered to be extremely good on this day.
It is very good to chant the Gayatri Mantra on this day.
On this day, people also pray to Goddess Saraswati. Goddess Saraswati who is considered the God of knowledge is worshipped. People also offer prayers to their departed ancestors.
On this day, people make offerings to the animal kingdom, particularly the cow. Cow which plays a vital role in agriculture is worshipped. Birds, animals and fish are fed by young girls as sign of sharing.

Celebrations in Different Parts of the Country

Makar Sankranti is celebrated differently in different parts of the country.
In Maharashtra
On Makar Sankranthi in Maharahtra, people celebrate by offering each other tilgul-laddus. These are made from sesame seeds, sugar and jaggery. People exchange these sweets with the words 'tilgul ghya, god god bola'. This means have these tilguls and speak sweet words.
What it actually means is accept these tilguls and forget any ill-feelings or differences and foster good relations.
In Maharashtra, married women are invited home for haldi-kumkum. The woman of the house gives them a gift of any new utensil which she has purchased.
In Gujarat
In Gujarat, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Uttarayan. On this day, people go to their terrace and fly kites along with family members and friends. People offer their respects and worship the Sun God by flying kites towards the sky. People exchange gifts and prepare Undhiyu which is a mixed vegetable dish.
In Kerala
Makar Sankranti is celebrated in Kerala at Sabarimala. The forty days of spiritual discipline undertaken by devotees of Ayappa comes to an end on this day with a big celebration at Sabarimala.
In Bengal
In West Bengal, Sankranti is known as Pous Parbon - a harvest festival. Every year, a very big mela (fair) is held at Ganga Sagar which a large number of pilgrims from all over the country attend.
In Uttar Pradesh
In Uttar Pradesh, Sankranti is celebrated as Khichiri.
Every twelve years at this time the Kumbh Mela is held here at Prayag in Allahabad at Uttar Pradesh. Bathing on the day of Makar Sankranti in the banks of the holy rivers is considered very auspicious. Millions of people take a dip in the holy waters on this day.
In Madhya Pradesh, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Sukarat or Sakarat.
Makar Sankranti is celebrated in Punjab as Lohri and in Tamil Nadu as Pongal.
Makar Sankranti is also celebrated by other different names in various parts of India like Orissa, Goa, Assam, the coastal regions, and even among tribals.
The traditions and celebrations might be different, but each of these festivals coveys the same message of brotherhood and peace.




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Deeksha
Deeksha.10 years ago
very good article. Makar sankranti is celebrated all over India but in different manner. the diversity in celebrating this festival is really commendable. I fast on this day.
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Roohi
Roohi.10 years ago
Makar sankranti is a very important festival of hindus and it is a holy festival. For hindus, taking a dip in the holy river helps them attain salvation.
 
 
 
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grishma
grishma.10 years ago
really interesting and nice to know about Makar sankranti celebrations in different parts of the country. i am proud to be an Indian as it has a varied rich culture and diversity.
 
 
 
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Discussion Forum - Recent Posts
Do you celebrate Makar Sankranti? Are you aware of the different ways of celebration of this festival in different parts of India?
Prerna Prerna
It is said that those who take a dip in the holy rivers of Ganga, Godavari, Yamuna, Krishna or Kaveri during the period of Makar Sankranti acquire the highest merit. The time from sun rise to sunset o...
read reply
 Mansi Mansi
On this day in Gujarat, people fly kites with the hope of reaching up to the God. Gujarati Pundits also provide scholarships to students for higher studies in philosophy and astrology. Kite flying is ...
read reply
Pratibha Pratibha
Makar Sankranti is a festival celebrated right from the times of the Aryans. On this day, one must give daan or alms to the unfortunate. One must visit their son and daughter-in-law. Makar Sankranti h...
read reply
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