Makar Sankranti Festival: Celebration of Harvest, Kites, and New Beginnings

Makar Sankranti, a prominent Indian festival, is also known as Uttarayan in some regions. This auspicious day marks the Sun’s transition from Sagittarius into Capricorn, signifying the end of the inauspicious Kharmas period and the beginning of all शुभ (auspicious) activities.

Falling on the 14th or 15th of January in the current century, Makar Sankranti also marks the sun’s movement northward. This northward journey is precisely why it’s also called Uttarayan.

Sankranti is celebrated to commemorate the victory of Lord Vishnu.

Sankranti is a festival deeply rooted in ancient traditions, believed to have been celebrated since the time of the Mahabharata. In some narratives, it commemorates the victory of Lord Vishnu. Lore suggests that on this very day, Lord Vishnu vanquished demons on Earth, liberating the deities from their reign of terror.

Makar Sankranti marks the beginning of Uttarayan, a period when the days gradually become longer and the nights shorter. In the scriptures, Uttarayan is revered as the time of the gods.

Importance of Sun worship on the day of Makar Sankranti:

On the day of Sankranti, the worship of the Sun God holds special significance. The Sun God is considered the principal deity of Kali Yuga. It is believed that worshipping the Sun on Sankranti brings his blessings, leading to increased status and prestige, enhanced physical and spiritual powers, and the attainment of boundless virtue.

Additionally, devotees are said to gain relief from troubles associated with Saturn, alongside those from the Sun. River bathing and charitable acts are also given particular importance on Sankranti. Across India, Makar Sankranti is celebrated under various names, including Pongal, Uttarayan, Khichdi, and simply Sankranti.

Makar Sankranti is a vibrant festival celebrated across India and Nepal, albeit with diverse regional names and customs.

Lohri in North India

In Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir, the festivities begin a day before Makar Sankranti with Lohri. As dusk settles, large bonfires illuminate the areas outside homes. Families, dressed in new clothes, gather around the crackling fire, engaging in lively Bhangra dances. Offerings of nuts, sesame seeds, gajak, and chivda are made to the flames. People exchange warm wishes of “Happy Lohri,” share gifts, and distribute a special Prasad consisting of sesame, jaggery, groundnut, maize, and gajak.

Makar Sankranti: One Festival, Many Names

Makar Sankranti is a beautiful example of India’s unity in diversity, celebrated under a dazzling array of names across different states and regions.

• Lohri: Celebrated a day before Makar Sankranti, primarily in Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir.
• Pongal: The main name in Tamil Nadu, where it’s a multi-day harvest festival.
• Uttarayan: Predominant in Gujarat and parts of Uttar Pradesh, famous for kite flying.
• Magh Bihu/Bhogali Bihu: The harvest festival celebrated in Assam.
• Khichdi: Commonly known by this name in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
• Sankranti/Makara Sankranti: Used in Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Odisha. In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, it’s often part of a multi-day festival called Pedda Panduga.
• Maghi: In Punjab, it’s the specific name for the day of Makar Sankranti itself. Also, Maghi Saji in Himachal Pradesh and Maghi Sangrand in Jammu.
• Sakrat/Sukrat: Found in Haryana and parts of Central India (like Madhya Pradesh).
• Ghughuti: Celebrated in Uttarakhand.
• Poush Sankranti: The name in West Bengal.
• Makaravilakku: Coincides with Sankranti in Kerala, particularly associated with the Sabarimala pilgrimage.
• Shishur Sankraat: In Kashmir.

This rich variety of names highlights the diverse cultural tapestry of India, where a single astronomical event and agricultural significance are celebrated with unique local traditions and flavors.

 Why Makar Sankranti is called the Kite Festival of India

On the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti, taking a holy dip in sacred rivers such as the Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri is believed to cleanse a person of all their past and present sins.

This day holds special importance for acts of donation, penance, and chanting. It’s widely believed that any donation made on Makar Sankranti yields exceptional spiritual benefits. Offering items like jaggery, oil, blankets, fruits, and sesame seeds is considered particularly meritorious, bringing good fortune to the donor.