MAKAR SANKRANTI

MAKAR SANKRANTIMAKAR SANKRANTIThe transition of the SunThe transition of the Sun

WHAT IS MAKAR WHAT IS MAKAR SANKRANTI?SANKRANTI?

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On this day people thank the Sun God “Suryadev” On this day people thank the Sun God “Suryadev” for a good harvest, and offer the first grain to him.for a good harvest, and offer the first grain to him.

It marks the transition of the Sun into It marks the transition of the Sun into Makar Rashi, Makar Rashi, or the zodiac sign of Capricorn.or the zodiac sign of Capricorn.

From this day the Sun begins its 6 month long From this day the Sun begins its 6 month long journey towards the north, also known as journey towards the north, also known as Uttarayan. Uttarayan. It’s considered an auspicious time.It’s considered an auspicious time.

Makar Sankranti is the harvest festival of IndiaMakar Sankranti is the harvest festival of India

A It’s also known as the Thanksgiving festival of A It’s also known as the Thanksgiving festival of India.India.

Unique feature of this festival is that it’s always Unique feature of this festival is that it’s always celebrated on January 14th.celebrated on January 14th.

WHY IS IT CELEBRATED?WHY IS IT CELEBRATED?

There are lot of reasons to celebrate this festival.There are lot of reasons to celebrate this festival.

The Puranas say that on this day, Suryadev visits his son The Puranas say that on this day, Suryadev visits his son Shani, who is the master of Shani, who is the master of Makar Rashi.Makar Rashi. It’s said that the It’s said that the father and son do not get along well. However, Suryadev still father and son do not get along well. However, Suryadev still makes it a point to visit his son on this day.makes it a point to visit his son on this day.

On this day, Lord Vishnu ended the powers if the Asuras by On this day, Lord Vishnu ended the powers if the Asuras by defeating them and burying their heads under the defeating them and burying their heads under the Mandarachal Mountain. So this occasion also represents the Mandarachal Mountain. So this occasion also represents the end of negativities and a beginning of an era of righteous end of negativities and a beginning of an era of righteous living.living.

WHY IS IT CELEBRATEDWHY IS IT CELEBRATED

The importance of this day was highlighted during The importance of this day was highlighted during the Mahabharat, when Bheeshma was intent to leave the Mahabharat, when Bheeshma was intent to leave his body on this day.his body on this day.

On this day, Shree Kripaluji Maharaj was invited by On this day, Shree Kripaluji Maharaj was invited by the Kashi Vidvat Parishat and spoke in a the Kashi Vidvat Parishat and spoke in a sophisticated Sanskrit language for ten days. They sophisticated Sanskrit language for ten days. They then unanimously conferred on him the original title then unanimously conferred on him the original title of Jagadguru. Devotee of Maharaj ji celebrate it as of Jagadguru. Devotee of Maharaj ji celebrate it as “Jagadguru Divas”.“Jagadguru Divas”.

HOW IS IT CELEBRATED?HOW IS IT CELEBRATED?

It’s celebrated in almost all parts of India, and the It’s celebrated in almost all parts of India, and the celebration depends on the region.celebration depends on the region.

Houses are cleaned, painted, and decorated Houses are cleaned, painted, and decorated and and kolams/Rangolikolams/Rangoli are made in front of the houses. are made in front of the houses.

Many people take bath in holy rivers like Ganga, Many people take bath in holy rivers like Ganga, Yamuna or visit holy places like Kashi , Prayag and Yamuna or visit holy places like Kashi , Prayag and pray to Suryadev.pray to Suryadev.

Rangoli/KolamRangoli/Kolam

HOW IS IT CELEBRATED?HOW IS IT CELEBRATED?

People buy new clothes for the whole family to People buy new clothes for the whole family to mark the festivities.mark the festivities.

On this day, people visit each other and they On this day, people visit each other and they exchange sweets and delicacies.exchange sweets and delicacies.

Some foods people make are laddus made if Some foods people make are laddus made if sesame seeds and jaggery. They are sesame seeds and jaggery. They are specialities of the festival.specialities of the festival.

CELEBRATION IN CELEBRATION IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF INDIADIFFERENT PARTS OF INDIA

Although Makar Sankranti is celebrated Although Makar Sankranti is celebrated throughut India, It is most elaborate, colorful throughut India, It is most elaborate, colorful and vibrant in the south part of India and vibrant in the south part of India especially Tamil Nadu.especially Tamil Nadu.

It is known as Pongal in Tamil Nadu which It is known as Pongal in Tamil Nadu which derives its name from the ritual of boiling a derives its name from the ritual of boiling a mixture of rice, milk and jaggery, and allowing mixture of rice, milk and jaggery, and allowing it to spill over.it to spill over.

Pongal CelebrationPongal Celebration

This celebration last for four days.This celebration last for four days.

The first day is called “Bhogi Pongal”. People clean their The first day is called “Bhogi Pongal”. People clean their houses and burn the useless household articles into a fire made houses and burn the useless household articles into a fire made of wood and cow dung cakes.of wood and cow dung cakes.

This ritual symbolizes the destruction and elimination of bad This ritual symbolizes the destruction and elimination of bad thoughts.thoughts.

Continued---Continued---


The second day of the festival is known as Pongal. Prayers are offered to the The second day of the festival is known as Pongal. Prayers are offered to the sun God early in the morning.sun God early in the morning.

Family members gather outside their house and cook Pongal in clay pots.Family members gather outside their house and cook Pongal in clay pots.

Clay pots are painted and decorated with turmeric, flowers and mango Clay pots are painted and decorated with turmeric, flowers and mango leaves. leaves.

When the rice inside the pot overflows. The people rejoice saying, Pongal o When the rice inside the pot overflows. The people rejoice saying, Pongal o Pongal!,as the overflow of rice symbolizes a prosperous farming for them.Pongal!,as the overflow of rice symbolizes a prosperous farming for them.

People worship Sun God on this day by offering both pongal and sugarcane. People worship Sun God on this day by offering both pongal and sugarcane. Sugarcane is offered as a symbol of sweetness and happiness in life.Sugarcane is offered as a symbol of sweetness and happiness in life.

Pongal celrbrationPongal celrbration


The third day is known as “Maatu Pongal”. This day is considered as the The third day is known as “Maatu Pongal”. This day is considered as the day of pongal for cows.day of pongal for cows.

For villagers, the cow, a giver of milk and the bull which ploughs the fields For villagers, the cow, a giver of milk and the bull which ploughs the fields are very valuable and therefore farmers dedicate this day in honor of their are very valuable and therefore farmers dedicate this day in honor of their cattles. This is a thanksgiving for these two animals.cattles. This is a thanksgiving for these two animals.

Cattles are washed and their horns are decorate with paint flowers .Cattles are washed and their horns are decorate with paint flowers .

A bull taming sport called “Jallikattu” is played on this day. A bull is left to A bull taming sport called “Jallikattu” is played on this day. A bull is left to run in an open ground. Young men display their bravery by attempting to run in an open ground. Young men display their bravery by attempting to jump on the bull and control it . People gather in thousands to watch this jump on the bull and control it . People gather in thousands to watch this sport. sport.


The fourth day of pongal is called “Kaanum Pongal”. This The fourth day of pongal is called “Kaanum Pongal”. This day is very similar to Raksha bandhan and Bhai dhooj day is very similar to Raksha bandhan and Bhai dhooj celebrated in northern India. celebrated in northern India.

On this day women offers prayers for the well being of On this day women offers prayers for the well being of their brothers. their brothers.

People travel to see other family members and the People travel to see other family members and the younger members of the family pay homage to the elders, younger members of the family pay homage to the elders, and the elders thank them by giving token money.and the elders thank them by giving token money.

Celebration in other parts Celebration in other parts of Indiaof India

Gujarat, Rajasthan: Gujarat, Rajasthan: People celebrate this People celebrate this festival by flying kits. Lot of different colors and festival by flying kits. Lot of different colors and shapes kites are flown in the sky and kite flying shapes kites are flown in the sky and kite flying contest are held in almost every town of the city. contest are held in almost every town of the city. In Gujarat this festival is known as “Uttarayan”.In Gujarat this festival is known as “Uttarayan”.

Kite FestivalKite Festival


Punjab: Punjab: In Punjab this festival is known as In Punjab this festival is known as “Lohri”. People get together around fire and “Lohri”. People get together around fire and sing dance till late night.sing dance till late night.

Lohri CelebrationLohri Celebration

Celebration in other part Celebration in other part of India of India

Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh: Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh: It is known It is known as “Sankranti” in Andhra Pradesh and “Yellu-as “Sankranti” in Andhra Pradesh and “Yellu-Bella” in Karnataka. Womens in each hose hold Bella” in Karnataka. Womens in each hose hold prepare sweets made up of jaggery, sesame prepare sweets made up of jaggery, sesame seeds, coconut, groundnutsseeds, coconut, groundnuts and distribute to and distribute to their friends and relatives. their friends and relatives.

Seasme LadduSeasme Laddu


Maharashtra: Maharashtra: It is called as “Tilgul”. This is a It is called as “Tilgul”. This is a very special day for married women who are very special day for married women who are invited for a get together known as “Haldi-invited for a get together known as “Haldi-Kumkum” and share sweets and give gift of Kumkum” and share sweets and give gift of utensils.utensils.

Haldikumkum celebrationHaldikumkum celebration

SIGNIFICANCE OF SIGNIFICANCE OF CELEBRATIONCELEBRATION

Makar Sankranti symbolizes a new beginning for Makar Sankranti symbolizes a new beginning for everyone.everyone.

It’s an occasion to forget the past and allow new light to It’s an occasion to forget the past and allow new light to enter one’s life.enter one’s life.

It’s an opportunity for families to offer respect to the land It’s an opportunity for families to offer respect to the land and animals that feed them on a daily basis. and animals that feed them on a daily basis.

It gives us a chance to thank God for prosperity and well-It gives us a chance to thank God for prosperity and well-being throughout the year.being throughout the year.

MAKAR SANKRANTI

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