Makar Sankranti is considered to be one of the most auspicious festivals for the
Hindus. It is celebrated in various parts of the country with extreme zeal and
fervor. In Gujarat and Rajasthan, it is known Uttararayan while in Northern part
of the country; it is known as Sankranti, in Tamil Nadu, it is known as Pongal.
Apart from India, it is also celebrated in Nepal, Malaysia and Thailand. It is
celebrated with great devotion, fervor and gaiety as the harvest festival of the
state at many places in the Indian subcontinent. It is one of the few chosen
Indian festivals which are celebrated on the same date every year i.e. on 14th
January.
When Is Makar Sankranti
Sankranti means 'change' and 'Makar' means 'Capricorn', thus Makar Sankranti is
the day when the glorious Sun-God begins its ascendancy and entry into the
Northern Hemisphere. It is when Sun transits from Sagittarius and goes to
Capricorn during the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere (Uttarayana).
This event has socio-religious impact on the Indian society. At some places the
festival is celebrated merely as a harvest festival, however in many parts of
the country, it is considered as an occasion from when all the auspicious Hindu
festivals can be solemnized.
For some people it signifies an event wherein the Sun-God seems to remind his
devotees a popular saying that 'Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya' which means 'may you go
higher and higher, to more and more light and never to darkness. As Sun
signifies knowledge, divine spiritual light and wisdom to Hindu community, this
festival of Sun God gives a message that the real spirit of life is to get over
from the darkness of delusion and begin the search of a more brighter and aware
side of our persona. People often relate the festival to auspiciousness, wisdom,
and knowledge.
Makar Sankranti 2010
Unlike most of the other Indian Hindu festivals, the date of Makar Sankranti is
fixed. It is celebrated on 14th January every year. In 2010, the Makar Sankranti
is falling on Thursday. The festival is celebrated throughout the country with
different names and different rituals. At some places, it is considered
auspicious to fly kites, while at other places eating 'Khichdi' (instant rice-daal
mix) is considered fortunate. Til and Rice are said to be the vital ingredients
of this festival. In the rice-eating belt of Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh,
most of the festive dishes are rice-centric. A popular fair named Gangasagar
Mela, is also organized on this occasion on banks of river Hooghly, near
Calcutta. In Andhra Pradesh, Makar Sankranti occasion is considered 'Pedda
Panduga' meaning big festival. The entire event lasts for four days, the first
day called Bhogi, the second day Sankranti, the third day Kanuma and the fourth
day, Mukkanuma.
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