Makar Sankranti: Shubh Muhurat And Significance

The first festival of the year 2022, Makar Sankranti, has got everyone very excited. Makar Sankranti is a joyful festival that is celebrated with great enthusiasm. The nicest part about this festival is that it is celebrated under many names and customs around the country. In some places it is a festival of one day and in some places it is celebrated for 3 to 4 days.

Significance Of Makar Sankranti

The festival of Makar Sankranti is linked to the sun’s entry into Capricorn. Makar Sankranti is observed when the sun deity departs Sagittarius and enters Capricorn. The festival is always observed on either 14th or 15th of January. The sun passes through 12 zodiac signs in a year, and the zodiac it enters is known as its Sankranti. The word ‘Sankranti’ literally means ‘movement’. Hence, the festival precisely denotes the movement of the Sun into the Makar zodiac. According to astrosage.com, this year the sun will enter Capricorn on the 14th of January (Friday).

Makar Sankranti is one of the earliest solstice festivals. On the day of Makar Sankranti festival, the duration of the day and the night are equal. The festival officially marks the arrival of spring season or Indian summer. After this day, the days are longer than nights as the Sun stays in for a little longer than it did previously.

Religious And Cultural Significance

Makar Sankranti is a significant religious and cultural festival. According to the Puranas, it is believed that Lord Surya paid a visit to his son, Lord Shani who is the lord of Makar sign, on this day. This festival signifies a healthy bond, shared between the father and a son.

Makar Sankranti is also celebrated to honour Lord Vishnu's victory over the Asuras, as per popular belief. The legend goes on to say that Lord Vishnu ended the distress caused by Asuras on Prithvi Lok by cutting their heads and buried them beneath the Mandara Parvat. Hence, signifying the victory of righteousness over impiety.

Makar Sankranti Is A Harvest Festival

Makar Sankranti is celebrated to honour the season's first harvest and all those who worked hard for a fruitful harvest. On the day after Makar Sankranti, a festival called 'Mattu Pongal' is celebrated to honour the farm animals' hard work in ensuring a successful harvest. Farm animals are essential for a healthy and plentiful harvest. Hence, it is important to recognise and honour their work and effort. In far flung villages, animals are also considered to be a part of the meeting when the next harvest and crop sowing is planned. This festival is a celebration of the bond that we share with other species and the mutually cooperative ecosystem that we live in.

Makar Sankranti Puja Muhurat

According to astrosage, Makar Sankranti is celebrated to mark the movement of the Sun in the Capricorn or Makar sign. This year, Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on the 14th of January.

• The Punya Kaal Muhurat for the festival is between 14:12:26 to 17:45:10.
• The Mahapunya Kaal Muhurat is from 14:12:26 to 14:36:26.
• The Sankranti Moment- 14:12:26

Rituals And Customs Of Makar Sankranti

On Makar Sankranti, it is customary to eat 'Til-Gur' and have a joyful session of kite-flying. 'Til-Gur,' or sesame and jaggery, is eaten in the shape of laddoos or chikkis, and because of the winter weather during this festival, is thought to keep the body warm.

Another important part of Makar Sankranti is khichdi. In Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand, kichdi is made and consumed on special occasions. It is customary to offer Khichdi at the Gorakhnath temple in Gorakhpur on Makar Sankranti.

Different Forms Of Makar Sankranti Around The World

To mark the special day, Makar Sankranti is celebrated with different names and customs around the country.

• In Tamil Nadu it is called Pongal, which is a four-day event. It is celebrated to thank Lord Indra for plentiful rain as well as the fertile land and a good yield.
• In Gujarat, it is celebrated as Uttarayan to celebrate the harvest season.
• Lohri is the harvest festival of Punjab, celebrated on the 13th of January.
• Magh or Bhogali Bihu is a one week long harvest festival of Assam. It begins on the 29th day of the month Pooh, which falls on the 13th of January and lasts almost a week.
• Onam is a ten day long celebration to honour the annual visit of Asura Mahabali from patala lok to Prithvi lok to meet his king.

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