Makar Sankranti is one of India’s most important festivals and is celebrated with great fervor. Celebrated on the 14th of January every year, it marks the end of winter and beginning of spring and hence holds cultural, social, religious and geographical significance.
It’s the perfect occasion to take part in various activities such as kite flying, cooking special festive dishes like til gul laddu (sesame sweet balls) or sakkarai pongal (sweet rice porridge), and performing religious rituals. Read on to learn about the different ways you can celebrate Makar Sankranti 2023!
What is Makar Sankranti?
Makar Sankranti is a popular Hindu festival that celebrates the transition of the sun from Sagittarius (Dhanu) to Capricorn (Makara). It marks the end of the winter season and the beginning of spring. The day is also considered auspicious for starting new ventures.
The festival is celebrated all over India with great pomp and show. The most popular way to celebrate Makar Sankranti is by flying kites. People of all ages come out in their balconies and terraces to fly kites. In some parts of India, kite flying competitions are also held on this day.
Another popular way to celebrate Makar Sankranti is by taking a dip in sacred rivers like Ganga and Yamuna. It is believed that doing so purifies one’s soul and body. Devotees also offer prayers to the sun god, Lord Surya on this day.
Makar Sankranti celebrations also include feasting on traditional sweets like til gud ladoo, til laddoo, phirni, rewari etc. Families and friends get together to enjoy this special day which comes only once a year!
The History of This Festival
Makar Sankranti is a popular Hindu festival that celebrates the transition of the sun from Sagittarius (Dhanu) to Capricorn (Makara). It is observed every year on January 14th in India. The day marks the end of the month with the winter solstice and the start of longer days.
Makar Sankranti is considered to be one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar. On this day, Hindus offer prayers to Sun god, take holy dips in rivers and perform other religious rituals. They also exchange gifts and sweets with their loved ones.
The word ‘Sankranti’ means ‘transition’. Makar refers to the Capricorn zodiac sign and Sankranti marks the transition of the sun into this sign. Makar Sankranti is also known as Uttarayan as it marks the beginning of longer days (uttara means north).
The festival has great significance in agriculture as it signals the end of winter and commencement of spring harvest season. In some parts of India, Makar Sankranti is also celebrated as a harvest festival.
There are many legends associated with Makar Sankranti. One popular legend says that on this day, Lord Vishnu defeated two powerful demons named Madhu and Kaitabha. Another legend tells the story of how Sage Kapila gave liberation (moksha)
How is Makar Sankranti Celebrated?
Makar Sankranti is celebrated in many ways across India. The most common way to celebrate is by flying kites! Families and friends get together to fly kites of all shapes and sizes. The sky is filled with color as people compete to see who can keep their kite in the air the longest.
Another popular way to celebrate this festival is by feasting on traditional sweets and dishes. Common items include til laddus (sesame balls), gajak (a type of candy made from sesame seeds), and pongal (a rice dish). Many families also take a dip in holy rivers or lakes, as it is believed that this will help purify them and bring good luck for the year ahead.
What are the Traditions ?
Makar Sankranti is considered to be one of the most auspicious festivals in the Hindu calendar. It is celebrated on the 14th of January every year and marks the beginning of the sun’s transit into the Makara (Capricorn) rashi (zodiac sign). The day also marks the end of the month with the winter solstice and the start of longer days.
Celebrations vary across different regions in India. In Maharashtra, for instance, people celebrate by flying kites while in Tamil Nadu, they take part in a special puja called ‘Pongal’. People also offer prayers to Sun God, take holy dips in rivers and exchange gifts with family and friends on this day.
One of the most important aspects of Makar Sankranti celebrations is feasting. A variety of traditional sweets and snacks are prepared on this day and exchanged among relatives and friends. The most popular sweet dish made on Makar Sankranti is ‘tilgul ladoo’, made from sesame seeds and jaggery. Other popular dishes include ‘ khichdi’, ‘puri’, ‘kheer’ etc.
The Importance of Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti is one of the most important festivals in India. It is celebrated in almost every state, although the date and manner of celebration vary from region to region. Makar Sankranti marks the beginning of the sun’s journey northwards (Uttarayanam), and is thus considered an auspicious day.
The festival is also known as Makara Sankranti in some parts of India, and is marked by festivities such as flying kites, feasting on traditional sweets and snacks, and taking holy dips in rivers. Makar Sankranti is considered an auspicious day for starting new ventures, and many people use the occasion to start new businesses or take up new projects.
It is also an opportunity to exchange gifts and express our love and affection for our family and friends. The festival brings people together and helps strengthen bonds of friendship and kinship.
Conclusion
Makar Sankranti is an important festival in India, celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy. This year, Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on January 14th of 2023. We hope that you have gained a better understanding of the traditions associated with this day and how to celebrate it. Celebrate this auspicious occasion by indulging in traditional sweets, savories and activities such as kite flying. Make your 2023 Makar Sankranti celebration even more memorable by donating to children in need!