Makar Sankranti

The process of Sun entering from one zodiac sign to another is called Sankranti. Sankranti occurs in the zodiac sign in which Surya Narayan enters. In the month of Paush in the winter season, when the Sun enters Capricorn while doing Uttarayan (sun movement towards north), it is called Makar Sankranti.

According to Padma Purana, one should take bath before sunrise on Makar Sankranti. By doing this a person gets the fruit of ten thousand Godan. All the works like tarpan, donation and worship of deities etc. done at this time are inexhaustible. Donating on this day brings eternal fruits.

Importance of Makar Sankranti:

Makar Sankranti is celebrated every year on 14 January or 15 January in North India. It is also called the festival of Khichdi. The Deity Sun is worshiped on this day. After worshiping etc. on this day, black sesame laddus and khichdi are offered to the Sun. Donating Khichdi on this day has special significance. Donating Khichdi removes Shani Dosha. Khichdi made of black urad dal and rice should be prepared and distributed among the poor. The person who donates khichdi, food, clothes, food etc. according to his capacity gets hundred times the reward. It is also considered auspicious to give Dakshina (donation) to the respected family members present in the house by feeding them khichdi.

Characteristics of Makar Sankranti:

The day of Makar Sankranti is considered very auspicious because on this day the Sun enters Capricorn and from here the Sun starts Uttarayan. The Sun movement is divided into two parts – Uttarayan and Dakshinayan (towards south). When the Sun is in Dakshinayana, some special types of rituals like Pranapratishtha etc. are not performed, because when the Sun is in Dakshinayana, the full results of the rituals are not achieved. Sun being in Dakshinayan is not said to be auspicious, the south direction is said to be hell. When the Sun is in Uttarayan, there is a Vedic provision to perform many special rituals like Pranapratishtha etc. Because when the Sun is in Uttarayan, the full results of the rituals performed are obtained. Sun being in Uttarayan is considered very auspicious. By performing rituals during this auspicious time, all the wishes of the seeker are fulfilled. The north side is said to be heaven.

Ways to celebrate Makar Sankranti:

Makar Sankranti is a very auspicious and joyful time because at this time the Sun comes in Uttarayan. There is also joy on the arrival of new crops, this joyful festival is celebrated in different ways in different states. In North India, rice and urad dal are the new crops at that time, hence on this day Khichdi is prepared and distributed. It would not be appropriate to say that only Khichdi is prepared on this day. Dishes may vary due to changes in locations. In the western region, various types of dishes like sesame laddu are made. Where the crop which is produced at this time is used as a dish. They share their happiness among themselves by doing many such things like making dishes, distributing them, flying kites.

Related topics-

• Sankranti
• Lohri