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Every year, Makar Sankranti is observed to commemorate the start of the harvest season and the sun’s transit into Capricorn, which heralds the arrival of warmer weather and the end of the harsh winter. Following Makar Sankranti, the days grow longer, and Uttarayan lasts for around six months. Makar Sankranti is the most significant of the 12 Sankrantis that occur each year. Sankranti signifies movement of the sun.
The harvest festival is celebrated with much enthusiasm across the country though its rituals and name vary. Pousha Sankranti in West Bengal, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Bihu in Assam, Uttarayan in Gujarat, Lohri in Punjab, Magh Bihu in Assam the festivities extend all over India.
During Makar Sankranti, people purge their homes of outdated items and replace them with new ones in the hopes that the coming year will bring them luck, success, and prosperity. Cleaning up the residences and taking an early morning bath precede the festivities, which are then followed by dressing in traditional attire. On this day, people worship Lord Surya and Lord Indra, the god of rain, in hopes of obtaining blessings for a bountiful crop and a happy new year.
Makar Sankranti is a day full of enjoyable activities and traditional food, such kite flying and eating khichdi or dahi-chooda. Foods produced with rice, jaggery, sugarcane, sesame seeds, maize, peanuts among others are made. Among the dishes that are customarily enjoyed during the celebration are gud kheer, popcorn, khichdi, undhiyu, and Til Kut.
Makar Sankranti 2024 date
Makar Sankranti usually falls on January 14 every year, but as per drikpanchang, this year the festival is being observed on January 15, a day before Lohri festivities on January 14.
Makar Sankranti 2024 history and significance
Makar Sankranti’s history goes back a long way, especially in light of how important agriculture is to the nation. This time of year portends warmer and more fortunate days to come since it represents the start of the sun’s trek northward. During this period, Hindus also bathe in rivers like the Ganga and Yamuna for religious purposes, and a kumbh mela is held once every twelve years.
According to Hindu belief, a person who passes away during the fortunate month of Uttarayan is saved from the cycle of birth and death. According to legend, Bhishma Pitamah was terminally wounded in the great battle of Kurukshetra, but because to his father’s blessing, he was able to postpone his final moments on earth to a couple of days so that he could die during the period of Uttarayan.
The festival of Makar Sankranti is also associated with the birth of the deity ‘Narashansa’, the first preceptor of righteousness in Kaliyuga and a predecessor to Kalki, the final avatar of Lord Vishnu.
Makar Sankranti is also celebrated as the day of triumph of good over evil as Lord Vishnu defeated the demon Sankarasura on this day.
Makar Sankranti 2024 celebrations
Makar Sankranti is a widely publicized event that is observed for two to four days in several regions of the nation. Numerous civilizations share specific practices related to the event, such as lighting bonfires, preparing rice and sugarcane meals, and engaging in music and dance performances.
Gujarat celebrates Makar Sankranti as Uttarayan, with kite flying being the most popular custom of the day. People are seen competing in kite flying competitions from their terraces, and the sky is transformed into a massive canvas covered in beautiful, vibrant kites.
To celebrate Lohri and combat the winter, bonfires are lit throughout Punjab. The celebrations further soften hearts as loved ones gather for exchanging gifts and enjoy gajaks, peanut, revdi and popcorn while singing folk song of Sundari Mundari Ho.
Over the course of four days, people in South India celebrate Pongal. As part of the Bhogi Mantalu custom, they clean their homes thoroughly, decorate them with beautiful pookalam designs, and burn unwanted items in the bonfire. After Pongal, family members cook rice, milk, and jaggery in an earthen pot until it overflows—a ritual that represents prosperity and abundance.
Around the nation, there are several customs and festivities in observance of this lovely harvest festival, which heralds the arrival of longer, brighter days.
