Makar Sankranti 2023: The festival marks the day the sun enters the zodiac sign Makara Rashi or Capricorn. According to the solar calendar, it falls on January 14 every year. The festival also marks the end of winter and the beginning of a new harvest season. It has both seasonal and religious significance. This is considered one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar.
On this auspicious day, we hope your life is filled with happiness and warmth. Happy Makar Sankranti!#MakarSankranti pic.twitter.com/spSA8x0ODB
– Ministry of Culture (@MinOfCultureGoI)
January 14, 2023
Why is Makar Sankranti celebrated?
Sankranti day is dedicated to Lord Sun. It also refers to a specific solar day in the Hindu calendar. On this auspicious day, the sun enters the zodiac sign of Capricorn or Makar, marking the end of the winter months and the beginning of longer days. This is the beginning of the month of Magh. To compensate for the difference that occurs due to the rotation around the sun, every 80 years, the date of Sankranti is postponed by one day. From the day of Makar Sankranti, the sun begins its northward journey or Uttarayan journey. So this festival is also known as Uttarayan. On this day, farmers across the country pray for a good harvest.
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Makar Sankranti 2023: Surya Namaskar Show
The Surya Namaskar Demonstration Program will be organized by the Ministry of AYUSH on January 14, 2023 for 75 lakh people across the globe at Makar Sankranti to commemorate the journey of the Sun to the Northern Hemisphere. According to pib, this occasion celebrates giving thanks to ‘Mother Nature’ for bestowing health, wealth and happiness. Exposure to sunlight also provides the human body with Vitamin D, a vitamin that has been widely recommended in all health sectors around the world.
Makar Sankranti on January 14 or 15?
Makar Sankranti 2023: Puja date and time
According to Drikpanchang.com, Makara Sankranti Punya Kala will start at 02:43 pm and end at 05:45 pm. Duration will be 3 hours 02 minutes.
Makara Sankranti Maha Punya Kala will start at 02:43 pm and end at 04:28 pm, the duration will be 1 hour 45 minutes.
The Makara Sankranti moment will take place at 2:43 pm.
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History of Makar Sankranti
Sankranti is considered a god. According to legend, Sankranti killed a demon named Sankarasur. The day next to Makar Sankrant is called Karidin or Kinkrant. On this day, Devi destroyed the demon Kinkarasur. Information of Makar Sankranti is available in Panchang. Panchang is a Hindu Almanac that provides information about age, form, attire, direction and movement of Sankranti.
According to DrikPanchaang, “The time between Makar Sankranti and 40 Ghatis (about 16 hours for Indian locations if we consider the duration of 1 Ghati as 24 minutes) from the time of Makar Sankranti is considered good for good work This period of 40 Ghatis is known as Punya Kaal. Sankranti activities, like bathing, offering Naivedhya (food offered to the deity) to Lord Surya, offering charity or Dakshina, performing Shraddha rituals and having breakfast or Parana, should be done during Punya Kaal. If Makar Sankranti occurs after Sunset then all activities of Punya Kaal will be postponed till the next Sunrise. Therefore, all the Punya Kaal activities should be carried out during the day.”
Meaning of Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti is the day the sun’s northward movement begins. The period from Karka Sankranti to Makar Sankranti is called Dakshinayan.
Source: www.indianetzone.com
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Meaning of Makar Sankranti
– According to the scriptures, Dakshinayan symbolizes the night of god or a sign of negativity, while Uttarayan is considered a symbol of the day of god or a sign of positivity. Since on this day the sun starts its journey towards the north so people take a holy dip in the rivers Ganga, Godavari, Krishna, Yamuna at holy places, chanting, etc. Normally, the sun affects all zodiac signs, but that is to say that the entry of the sun into the zodiac signs of Cancer and Capricorn religiously is very fruitful.
– Before Makar Sankranti, the sun is in the Southern Hemisphere. For this reason, in India, nights are longer and days are shorter in winter. But with Makar Sankranti, the sun begins its journey towards the Northern Hemisphere and hence, the days will be longer and the nights will be shorter.
– On the occasion of Makar Sankranti, people express their gratitude to the people of India throughout the year by worshiping the sun god in various forms. Any act of merit or donation during this period has better results.
– Perform the Haldi Kumkum ritual in a way that activates the silent Adi – Shakti waves in the Universe. This helps to create an impression of devotion to Sagun in one’s mind and enhances spiritual feelings towards the Lord.
In different parts of the country, Makar Sankranti is celebrated by different names
– Lohri: A day before Makar Sankranti, Lohri is celebrated in India with enthusiasm mainly in India. Haryana and Punjab. At night, people gather around the fire and throw puffed rice and popcorn into the flames. Prayers are offered to the fire to seek abundance and prosperity.
Source: www.3.bp.blogspot.com
– Offering festival “or “Khichdi”: In Uttar Pradesh, mainly the ‘Donation’ festival. The Magh Fair, which lasts a month at the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati junction in Allahabad, begins only from the day of Makar Sankranti. On this auspicious day, people in Uttar Pradesh fast and offer khichdi. Additionally, Khichdi Mela is held at Gorakhdham in Gorakhpur.
– In Bihar, the festival of Makar Sankranti is called Khichdi. On this day, donating urad, rice, gold, woolen clothes, blankets, etc. all have their own importance.
– In Maharashtra, all married women gift cotton, oil and salt to other suhagin or married women on their first Sankrant day.
– In Bengal, there is a tradition of donating after bathing in Makar Sankrant. A large fair is also organized every year in Gangasagar.
– Pongal: On the occasion of Makar Sankranti in Tamil Nadu, this festival is celebrated as Pongal for four days.
– Kite flying festival: In Gujarat, kite flying festival is organized on the occasion of Makar Sankranti.
Therefore, in India, the festival of Makar Sankranti has its own importance. It is celebrated in different states using different names. So, now you might know the history of Makar Sankranti and how it is celebrated.
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Source: pagasa.edu.vn