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You are here : home > Indian Culture > Indian Festivals and occassions > Celebrating Kite Flying Festival - Makar Sankranti

Celebrating Kite Flying Festival - Makar Sankranti

Celebrating Kite Flying Festival - Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is considered to be a very auspicious day for Hindus. Find out more about Makar Sankranti and how you can celebrate this festival with kids.
Makar Sankranti is a very important festival for Hindus. In Gujarat and Maharashtra, people celebrate this festival by flying kites. Flying kites symbolizes that you are reaching out and praying to the glorious power high above.
This festival is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm all across India. Along with the adults, children also enjoy flying kites and having fun on this day. Sankranti marks the onset of spring after the end of the cold winter chill; hence it is a time for happiness. The gloom and darkness of winter gives way to sunshine and brightness.

Why do People Fly Kites on Makar Sankranti?

Many of the Indian festivals have scientific reasons behind their celebration. There are a number of health and spiritual benefits which this festival offers. During winter, it is common for the body to get afflicted with various infections such as cold and cough. Skin also gets dry. Sun acts as a medicine and eradicates infection. By flying kites, children and adults are exposed to the sun which provides many health benefits. Exposure to sunlight provides you with a dose of Vitamin D. People do not directly face the sun while flying kites, rather their backs are faced towards the sun. Flying kites also makes the arm muscles stronger. People keep their eyes on the flying kite which improves vision. Flying kites is a good exercise for legs and eyes.

Indian politics has been undergoing a lot of changes recently. Arvind Kejriwal and Narendra Modi have become popular kite heroes. In the previous years, Bollywood actors were more popular, but the trend has changed. Kites having images of Narendra Modi are selling very well in Gujarat. Kites imprinted with the map of Gujarat are also selling well. There has been an increasing demand for such kites even from youngsters. Kites with images of popular cartoon characters such as Doraemon, Micky Mouse, Mr. Bean, etc have become a hit among small children.

Significance of Makar Sankranti and the Sun

It is very important to teach kids the importance of this festival so that they can learn about it. On this day, the Sun begins its movement towards the north. People pay their respects to the sun God on this day. Sun represents God for Hindus. On this day, the famous Gayatri Mantra is chanted to seek blessings from Sun God. By chanting this mantra, people ask the Sun God to grant them wisdom and intelligence. You should teach your kids how to chant the Gayatri Mantra on this day. Some people recite this mantra improperly, hence you should be careful to teach your kids how to chant it properly and attain success and blessings of Sun God. Worship of Sun is an important ritual of Makar Sankranti.

Involving Kids in Various Rituals

  • Many people give donations to the needy on this day. Involve your kids while you make donations to the needy and deserving.
  • Ask your kids to assist you while you prepare Til-Gul and other sweets to distribute to family and friends. Kids can help in rolling the Til ladoos.
  • Cow is a sacred animal for Hindus and it is worshipped on this day. Teach your kids about the blessings of Mother Nature and how we should respect Mother Nature and the environment.
  • Involve your kids in the various rituals and Pujas performed on this day. Explain to the kids the significance of the various practices and rituals during the Makar Sankranti Puja and other activities.
  • Makar Sankranti is an occasion to forget the past and welcome the new. Old rivalries and bitterness are forgotten on this day. Houses are cleaned and old items are discarded. Teach your kids the importance of starting afresh.

Hindus celebrate many festivals and Makar Sankranti is one among the most important ones. It is also a major harvest festival. Children enjoy the festival by flying attractive and colorful kites. The sky is lined with beautiful kites and everywhere people are joyful.

What is the reason behind flying kites on the occasion of Makar Sankranti? What are the popular kite themes for the year 2014? How to involve kids in Makar Sankranti celebration? Discuss here.



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