MAKAR SANKRANTIMAKAR SANKRANTIMAKAR SANKRANTIMAKAR SANKRANTIThe transition of the SunThe transition of the Sun

WHAT IS MAKAR WHAT IS MAKAR SANKRANTI?SANKRANTI?

..

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 houses and burn the useless household articles into a fire

made of wood and cow dung cakes.made 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---

Pongal CelebrationPongal Celebration

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

Pongal CelebrationPongal Celebration

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 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 fields are very valuable and therefore farmers dedicate this day in

honor of their cattles. This is a thanksgiving for these two animals.honor of their 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 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 to run in an open ground. Young men display their bravery by

attempting to jump on the bull and control it . People gather in attempting to jump on the bull and control it . People gather in

thousands to watch this sport. thousands to watch this sport.

Pongal CelebrationPongal Celebration

The fourth day of pongal is called “Kaanum Pongal”. The fourth day of pongal is called “Kaanum Pongal”.

This day is very similar to Raksha bandhan and Bhai This day is very similar to Raksha bandhan and Bhai

dhooj celebrated in northern India. dhooj 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 younger members of the family pay homage to the

elders, and the elders thank them by giving token elders, and the elders thank them by giving token

money.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

Celebration in other parts Celebration in other parts of Indiaof India

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

Celebration in other parts Celebration in other parts of Indiaof India

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.