The festival of Makar Sankranti is celebrated with great pomp in India. It is celebrated in different ways and names in different states. Like in Punjab, Lohiri is celebrated on the night before Makar Sankranti. Whereas Bihu is celebrated in Assam, Pongal in South India, Uttarayan in Gujarat and Khichdi festival in UP-Bihar.
There is a tradition of eating curd-chuda and khichdi on the day of Sankranti. This year Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on 15 January. Sometimes Sankranti festival also falls on 14 January. Let us know why the festival of Makar Sankranti sometimes falls on 14th and sometimes on 15th January?
Sankranti will happen on 15th January, This is the reason
According to astrologers, the festival of Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on 15 January. On this day, Sun God will move out of Sagittarius and enter Capricorn at 02:54 am. The auspicious time on this occasion will be as follows.
Makar Sankranti Punyakaal – 07:15 am to 06:21 pm
Makar Sankranti Maha Punyakaal – 07:15 am to 09:06 am
Makar Sankranti puja method
- Sankranti will be celebrated on 15 January. On this day devotees’ worship with full rituals. Let us know in which way to worship on Makar Sankranti.
- Before worshiping, first get up and clean yourself.
- After this, if possible, take bath in some holy river nearby, if you are not able to do so then take bath by mixing Ganga water at home.
- Purify yourself by doing Aachman.
- Wearing yellow clothes on this day is considered auspicious, so wear yellow clothes and offer prayers to the Sun God.
- After this read Surya Chalisa and recite Aditya Hridaya Stotra.
- Finally perform aarti and donate.
- Donating on this day is considered to have special significance.
Why we celebrate Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti is, in a way, the morning of the gods. Bathing, charity, chanting, penance, Shraddha and rituals have great importance on this day. Mythology says that this date is the date of Uttarayan. Bhishma Pitamah had left his body – During the Mahabharata period, Bhishma Pitamah had chosen Makar Sankranti to leave his body.
Things to do:
This day is dedicated to the worship of Sun God. People have their own beliefs regarding this day, which they follow with full devotion. So, what is done on this auspicious day? Know about this –
- Bathing in the holy river: On this day people take holy bath in Ganga, Yamuna and other rivers and pray to Lord Surya. It is believed that this removes negativity from life.
- Puja: On the day of Sankranti, devotees, after taking a holy bath, worship Lord Surya and their presiding deity as per the rituals. At last, by performing aarti with camphor, one takes the blessings of Lord Surya.
- Charity and virtual: Helping helpless people on the day of Makar Sankranti is considered extremely beneficial. On this day people donate sesame seeds, sesame laddus, blankets, fruits, clothes and other items to the needy.
- Eating khichdi: On the day of Sankranti, people make khichdi, mashed potatoes and different types of pakodas. And sit and enjoy it with your family. It is said that this brings sweetness in relationships. Therefore, every member of the household must sit and eat together on this auspicious day.
- Flying kite: Some people fly kites on the day of Makar Sankranti. It is not only fun, but it is also beneficial for the body, as this sport provides adequate amount of Vitamin D.
Makar Sankranti is on 15 January, celebrating the Sun’s move to Capricorn. People wear yellow, pray, and give to others. Families enjoy meals, fly kites, and do charity. It’s a special day with diverse celebrations across India, showing unity in different traditions.