Makar Sankranti- The Festival of Many Names

Makar Sankranti is celebrated every year on January 14^th, one of the most auspicious festivals of Hindus. This is the only festival which is known by so many different names and is celebrated in different ways across the country.

Most commonly known as MakarSankranti, In Uttar Pradesh, it is called ‘Khichiri’. A one-month long ‘Magha-Mela’ begins at Prayag (Allahabad) on this occasion and people take a dip in the holy rivers. In Tamil Nadu and southern India Sankranti is called ‘Pongal’ which derives its name from a delicacy prepared by boiling rice with pulses in Ghee and milk that is offered to the family deity after worshiping sun. 

This festival holds a lot of relevance for farmers and is even bigger than Diwali. In Assam, the festival is called ‘Bihu’. They celebrate the festival by dancing and praying to Sun god. In Punjab, it is called ‘Lohari’ and is celebrated by getting together dancing Bhangra and throwing sweets, sugarcane and rice in the bonfires. In Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Gujarat people exchange sweets made from sesame seeds and sugar and also til-laddus made from sesame seeds and jaggery. They have a tradition of flying kites. On this very occasion you have the opportunity to witness different colors of celebration and taste of cultural mix as you go to different geographies across the country. 

So now getting to know so many names and the way it is celebrated across country, one might feel a beet inquisitive about why this festival is celebrated? Below are few insights on why Sankranti is celebrated in a grand manner across the country.

It is a solar event that marks ascending of Sun and entering into Northern Hemisphere making days longer and nights shorter.  The significance of festival can be derived from the faith, Hindus place in Sun. The movement of Sun in different hemispheres is regarded as a heavenly event which is responsible for seasons, rains, vegetation and prosperity on planet earth. The festival is a thankful gesture to up above for the natural treasures we have been bestowed with.

Besides the astral significance the festival is also associated with a lot of astrological significance.

Makar means Capricorn and Sankranti means transition. There is a sankranti each month when sun passes from one zodiac sign to the next. There are 12 Sakranti in a year; however Makar Sakranti is the most important.  According to Purana, on this day Sun visits house of his son Shani, who is considered swami of Makar Rashi. Also it is believed that it was on this day when Lord Vishnu ended rising terror of the Asuras. So this occasion also signifies the end of the evil and mark new beginnings. From this day begins the six-month long Uttarayana, when all the auspicious events like marriages, purchases, inaugurations, house warming ceremonies take place.

The festival is celebrated by exchanging gifts and passing good wishes. The most common gifts include some traditional artwork, sweets made of sesame seeds, idol of god, good luck plants etc. If you are looking forward to send across wishes in form of gifts to your loved ones, do visit sendmygifts.com for a happy gifting. Wishing you all a very happy and prosperous Makar Sakranti!!