Makar Sankranti Importance: Rituals, Significance and Shubh Muhurat

The Makar Sankranti celebration is about more than just celebrating the changing of the seasons. It is also about how the sun will cross into the sign of Capricorn (Makara) in the zodiac. It is an illustration of new beginnings, hope, and a shift from darkness to light. Around the country, Makar Sankranti represents a connection between religion, astronomy, and cultural traditions. 

Each region of India has its own traditions related to holy bathing, donating, flying kites, and eating treat foods related to the festival. The spiritual aspect, rituals, auspicious time, and significance of Makar Sankranti will be examined below.

Importance of Makar Sankranti in Hindu Tradition

Makar Sankranti's relevance to Spirituality and The Planet is significant due to the fact that it is a holiday based on a Solar Calendar instead of a Lunar calendar, like almost all Hindu holidays. 

Makar Sankranti is seen as significant because it represents the Solar movement northward or Uttarayan. After this date, the days begin to become longer and warmer and represent new life within nature. It also represents abundance, harvest, and gratitude for the new growth that has occurred. Uttarayan is seen as a period of spiritual growth and enlightenment. In accordance with Hindu philosophy, actions performed during the Uttarayan period provide results over extended periods of time.

Religious Significance of Makar Sankranti

Ancient texts and myths provide great religious importance for Makar-Sankranti. Lord Surya, the Sun God, is venerated on this celebration for vigor, achievement, and good health. On this day, donating food, clothing, and other goods is supposed to forgive one of past crimes. Religious legends claim Bhishma Pitamah decided to leave his earthly body during the lucky Uttarayan season, hence adding to the significance of this event. Many devotees also think that prayers said on Maka-Sankranti get directly heard by God because of the good orientation of the sun, hence making this day very holy and auspicious.

Significance of Makar Sankranti Across India

The significance of Makar-Sankranti varies by region, yet the core message remains the same, celebrating life, harvest, and hope.

Regional Names and Celebrations:

1. Pongal: Tamil Nadu
2. Uttarayan: Gujarat
3. Lohri: Punjab 
4. Magh Bihu: Assam
5. Khichdi: Uttar Pradesh and Bihar

Each version honors farmers, nature, and seasonal change, highlighting India’s cultural diversity.

Makar Sankranti Shubh Muhurat

The Muhurat of Makar Sankranti varies depending on the precise moment the Sun enters the Capricorn zodiac sign. Hinduism counts Makar Sankranti as a prominent celebration. On January 14th, 3:13 PM, The Sun, king of the planets, will enter Capricorn in 2026. 

When Is Makar Sankranti Celebrated?

1. Usually happens on January 14 or 15  every year
2. The date of the event is set according to Surya Sankranti timing, not dawn. 

Auspicious Activities During Muhurat:

1. Holy bath in rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, or Godavari 
2. Lord Surya's puja 
3. Daan, or charity, of sesame seeds, jaggery, grains, and garments 

Should Sankranti happen after sunset, ceremonies are usually conducted the following day, called Punya Kaal. For precise muhurat times, believers should consult the local Panchang.

Puja Rituals of Makar Sankranti

The majority of those who celebrate Makar-Sankranti perform numerous important rites or religious customs. Many people who celebrate Makar Sankranti will take part in an early morning 'bath' (specified here to be done at a sacred river), which is believed to be auspicious. 

The main ritual of Makar-Sankranti is giving water (Arghya) to Lord Surya (the Sun God), and reciting mantras related to Lord Surya. Makar Sankranti is also a day for lighting lamps and performing 'Surya Puja' (worship of the Sun God). Other aspects of Makar-Sankranti celebrations are the preparation of traditional sweets made from jaggery, as well as, and in connection with, sesame seeds. Each of these activities embodies the warmth, togetherness, and sweetness of relationships.

Why Sesame and Jaggery Are Important

Sesame seeds and jaggery are not only food items for celebrations but also have symbolic and medicinal meanings. Jaggery signifies compassion and sweetness, whereas sesame seeds represent a source of internal strength and protection. Both ingredients will help to keep your body warm in the colder months. The dessert category that combines sesame and jaggery, represents a way of releasing bitterness and using sweet words in everyday life.

Modern Relevance of Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is still relevant to us today, and it inspires us to appreciate farmers and nature and to promote charitable giving, peace, and unity among people. We can also find the relationship between Makar-Sankranti and astronomical science within the traditional cultural celebrations associated with Makar Sankranti, as the traditional celebrations are based on the way the universe operates according to the laws of nature. Festivals like Makar-Sankranti allow us to slow down, reflect on our lives, and redirect our energies to a more constructive direction in our lives that are too busy for us to reflect on all the time.

The Timeless Essence of Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti goes beyond just religious connotations. It also represents the qualities of charity, compassion, hope, and the continuous movement of nature. Whether the form is Pooja, charitable acts, or festivals, the essence of Makar-Sankranti remains moving towards light, warmth, and positivity.

This Makar-Sankranti is open to receiving all the abundance in your life through the practice of new beginnings and releasing all negativity.

Read More: Beware of Adulterated Sesame and Jaggery on Makar Sankranti: Expert Tells How to Identify Real and Fake at Home