Life and work

Makar Sankranti 2021: Significance And Rituals

Makar Sankranti 2021: Significance And Rituals

Makar Sankranti is a harvest festival with different names throughout the country. The festival is celebrated by each state according to their culture and custom. Scroll down to know all about Makar Sankranti – The harvesting Festival.

All About Makar Sankranti 

Makar Sankranti is a Hindu festival celebrating the transformation of the Sun into Makar ( Capricorn). As per the Solar cycle, it is one of the few traditional Hindu festivals that are observed. The season signifies the end of the winter and the fresh beginning of the harvest season. The day is also the harbinger of the Magh season. Makar Sankranti is a festival that is celebrated in some or other way all over the country.

The most advanced idea of this festival is that there are 12 Sankranti in a year, much like 12 Zodiac signs. Well, not all of Sankranti is the same as the year’s first Sankranti. The Sun joins the sign of Capricorn in the nakshatra of Uttarasha on this day.

It is a very sacred, old, and well-known Hindus Festival. The festival is so full of sacredness that it shines even on the life of a person who is circled by darkness and negativity. This is the stature of the festival. The Makar Sankranti is believed to escalate one’s cosmic intellect, and the individual achieves its maximum benefits.

Makar Sankranti 2021: Significance And Rituals

Image Source- Pixabay

Significance of Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is dedicated to the Sun or Surya God. The festival also symbolizes the beginning of a six-month auspicious time for Hindus called the Uttarayana period. It is considered to be a significant time for spiritual practice.

The lakhs of people take a holy dip to the Sangam, the confluence of Ganga with Jamuna, on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. The holy dip is believed to result in the redemption of past sins. People often resort to God Surya for their prayers and thank them for their prosperity and triumph. There are 12 Sankranti in a year, as per the Hindu calendar. Of all the Sankranti, Makar Sankranti is considered to be the most important and is celebrated throughout the country.

Astrological Significance

Makar Sankranti also has a divine nuance to it. For sages and yogis, this time is supposed to be of ideal significance for a new initiative in their spiritual odyssey. In general, this period is considered by people to be a herald of new beginnings and to let go of any horrid memories and associations of the past. Another feature of this day is that the Sun is rising from Dakshinayan to Uttarayan on this auspicious day. This is a very auspicious Sun position. From a religious viewpoint, Surya leaves all the problems with his son Shani Dev on this day and comes to his house to meet him. This is why happiness and prosperity are also associated with the day of Makar Sankranti.

Makar Sankranti 2021 is more precise and strong since Capricorn stellium will be more phenomenal, as not one or two but four planets (Sun, Jupiter, Saturn, and Mercury) will travel in the next month to Capricorn. In astrology, this phenomenon is known as a stellium. What a way to start the year—with this monumental, ever-changing Capricorn stellium!

Makar Sankranti 2021 will also be celebrated on Magh Krishna paksha Dwitiya in the nation on 14 January, like every year this year. We have to perform the Surya Puja and Magha Nakshatra Puja on this auspicious day, as well as chant sacred mantras. We must avoid acts like marriage, oiling the body, shaving, and new ventures on the occasion of Sankranti.

When is Makar Sankranti celebrated?

In the Hindu calendar month of the Magha, Makar Sankranti is held and falls each year on 14 January.

Makar Sankranti has various names and rituals in connection with this holy day in India. ‘Khichri’ in Uttar Pradesh,’ Pongal’ in Tamil Nadu,’ Bhogali Bihu’ in Assam,’ Sakarat’ in Central India, and ‘Lohri’ in Punjab and northern India are other names.

Makar Sankranti 2021: Significance And Rituals

Image Source- happywalagift.com

Rituals of Makar Sankranti

India is a nation of festivals. Thus, Makar Sankranti is celebrated with lots of decorations, like any other festival. People wear new clothes and eat homemade delicacies, often made of jaggery and til. Khichdi is also eaten in many parts of India. The festival is celebrated as a Pongal in Tamil Nadu, and people eat rice cooked with fresh milk and jaggery with great zeal.

Gujarat and Rajasthan

Uttarayan and Makar Sankranti are celebrated in Gujarat and Rajasthan as a major festival in both states. The main attraction on this day is kite flying or Patang Utsav. Its celebration begins in December, and colorful kites fill the sky.

Bihar and Jharkhand

People dive into rivers and ponds in Bihar and Jharkhand and feast on seasonal delicacies as a celebration of a good crop. The delicacies include Chura, til-made sweets, etc.

Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

It’s a festival for four days. One day before Makar Sankranti is called Bhogi, where people get rid of old stuff and burn it into the feast. On the next day, Pedda Panduga is the first day when people give new and varied attires and offer the Gods as well as their ancestors prayers and traditional food.

Kerala

The festival is known as Makaravilakku, i.e., this day, in Kerala, there is joyfully celebrated an artificial light created three times on the Sabarimala hill. Thousands of visitors see this light because it is considered to be a sign of divine light.

Maharastra

Sankranti is marked in Maharashtra by the creation and exchange of various kinds of sweets made of jaggery and sesame seeds. People greet one another and the married women buy utensils from the house. These also are exchanged for gifts which are known in this region as “Haldi Kumkum,” an old custom.

Tamil Nadu

This day marks the worship of the Harvest God in Tamil Nadu and other areas of southern India. On this day, local people harvest their paddy and sweets made up of ghee-cooked rice, pulses and milk are offered to the family deity. The biggest festival celebrated by South Indians is the festival known as Pongal.

Let’s look at the positive side of life with new aspirations and celebrate this festival with great zeal, fervor, and vivacity on this new year and the day of the radiant Makar Sankranti festival.

Wish all of you a Happy Makar Sankranti.

Also Read: Importance Of Festivals For Kids

Share post: facebook twitter pinterest whatsapp