Makar Sankranti, a highly auspicious holiday and one of the most important Hindu festivals celebrated during the year. Makar Sankranti marks the sun’s
journey into the northern hemisphere celebrating the end of the monsoon season and the beginning of the harvest season in South India. The festival marks the
beginning of an auspicious phase in Indian culture known as the holy phase of transition.
The movement of the earth from one zodiac sign into another is called “Sankranti”. The sun moving into the Capricorn zodiac sign is known as “Makar” in
Hindi, this is where the name “Makar Sankranti” originates.
Makar Sankranti which is celebrated on January 14th, is one of the few Hindu festivals in India which is celebrated on a fixed calendar date every year
marking the transition from winter to the new spring harvest season.
While the festival name and rituals may change from region to region, the festival is observed all over India.
Variations Of The Festival:
In Gujarat and Maharashtra, Makar Sankranti is a festival of the young and old. Colourful kites are flown in celebration of the holiday.
In Punjab the festival is called “Lohri”. December and January are the coldest months in Punjab. To celebrate friends and families gather together and light
huge bonfires on the eve of Sankranti. They throw sweets, sugarcane and rice onto the bonfires.
In Uttar Pradesh the festival is called “Kicheri”. In Uttar Pradesh the festival rituals include bathing. Masses of people can be seen in the Sangam at
Prayagraj where the rivers Ganga, Jamuna and Saraswathi join together.
In Southern India the festival is called “Pongal” and takes place over three days. With the hope of a good harvest season rice is offered to the gods and
cattle are honoured. On the first day, rice is boiled with milk and offered to the Rain God, on the second day rice is offered to the Sun God and on the
third and final day of the festival, cattle are bathed and adorned with flowers, bells and colours to honour them for their service in the harvest fields.
