Makar Sankranti: Makar Sankranti is celebrated on Paush Shukla Dwadashi. It is known as Lohri, Pongal, Khichdi. (Lohri, Pongal, Khichdi) Known by names like. Kharmas ends on this day, and auspicious functions like marriage, house warming begin.
makar sankranti (Makar Sankranti) It holds a special place in Sanatan Dharma. On this day the Sun enters the Northern Hemisphere from the South and marks its entry into Capricorn. Worship of Sun God and religious activities have special significance on this festival.
This wonderful confluence of astronomy and traditions is celebrated all over the world including India. This year Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 14.
Makar Sankranti has deep spiritual significance in the story of Mahabharata. Bhishma Pitamah, who had the boon of euthanasia, was waiting for the Sun to enter Uttarayan.
According to the scriptures, death in Uttarayan provides salvation from death, whereas death in Dakshinayan binds it in the cycle of rebirth. This time of Makar Sankranti is considered a symbol of liberation and spiritual progress.
Makar Sankranti is the day when the Sun crosses the Tropic of Capricorn and moves towards Uttarayan. After this astronomical change the days become longer and the nights become shorter.
In Vedic traditions, Uttarayan is considered the day of the gods and Dakshinayan is considered the night of the gods. It is also called Devayana and Pitrayana. The auspicious works done during Uttarayan have special significance and they yield immense virtue.
Makar Sankranti is an auspicious festival, when religious activities have special significance. Bathing, donating and worshiping Sun God on this day is considered extremely fruitful.
Donating sesame seeds and jaggery, giving food and clothes to the poor and bathing in holy rivers bring immense virtue. According to religious beliefs, auspicious work done on this day brings happiness and prosperity in life.
Bathing in holy rivers on Makar Sankranti is considered auspicious. If river bath is not possible, then add sesame seeds to Ganga water or pure water and take bath at home. This leads to purification and virtue.
Offering water to Sun God (god Surya) on Makar Sankranti has special significance. Mix water, red flowers and sesame seeds in a copper vessel and offer it to Sun God. By this one gets the blessings of Sun God and auspiciousness in life.
Consumption and donation of sesame and jaggery on Makar Sankranti is considered auspicious. This donation is a symbol of changing the bitterness of life into sweetness and it brings special virtue.
It is auspicious to offer Khichdi and Sesame-Jaggery to the Sun God on Makar Sankranti. After this, by distributing the Prasad among others, one gets virtue and the blessings of the Sun God.
On the day of Makar Sankranti, chant “Om Suryaaya Namah” or “Om Namo Bhagavate Suryaaya”. It brings peace, happiness and prosperity in life.
Donating food, clothes and money to the poor on Makar Sankranti is highly virtuous. Donating on this day brings special spiritual benefits and virtues.
