What Does Makar Sankranti Mean
Significant of Makar Sankranti Festival and Rituals is one such festival that falls on the same day every year that is on the 14th of January. Generally, all the Hindu festivals are as per the lunar calendar but this I one festival that is as per the solar calendar.
This falls in the Hindu calendar month of Magh. This day signifies the end of winter and the start of summer meaning longer days and shorter nights.
This Makar Sankranti Festival is also called Uttarayan or northward movement of the sun. This festival is also called Maghi Sankrant.
Significance of Makar Sankranti Festival and Rituals
There are several folklore that describe the Significance of the Makar Sankranti Festival. One of the stories is dated back to Mahabharata. It is said that Bhishma Pitamah had a blessing of Iccha Mrityu or death as per wish.
At the end of the war of Mahabharat, Bhishma Pitamah was hit by an arrow by Arjun. He didn’t leave his life till the day of Makar Sankranti.
Bhishma Pitamah knew that when a person dies in the Dakshinayan or Southward expedition of the sun a person does not get Moksha and he has to take another life.
He has to go through a complete life cycle. So, on the day of Makar Sankranti, his soul left his body.
Another story states it is on this day that the River Ganga followed King Bhagirath from heaven to this earth. It passed nearby from Kapil Muni ashram, then she mixed with Ganga Sagar.
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After the River Ganga came to earth, King Bhagirath did the tarpan of his forefathers or ancestors. Even today there are fairs on the river banks in many places.
Another story says that Mata Yashoda had followed a day-long fast on this day to get a blessing for a child. It is said that married women give laddus of jaggery, groundnut, and til to other married women.
This is believed that Til or sesame is a symbol of Lord Vishnu. It is also believed that sesame was the product of Lord Vishnu.
Hence it is used to vade off the curse and to be healthy. It also develops heat in the body to stay warm on cold days.
Maghe Sankranti is celebrated in the Madesh and Tharuhat regions in Nepal. This also has astrological significance, as this is the only festival based on solar movements.
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Puja Ritual of Makar Sankranti
This is one festival that is widely celebrated across India. This is also called the festival of harvest. But the ways of celebrations change from north India to south India.
In Bihar, the Makar Sankranti festival is known as Khichdi. On this day, donating urad, rice, gold, woolen clothes, blankets, etc. has its importance.
In Maharashtra, Goa, Odisha, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh this festival is called Makar Sankranti while in Bihar, Assam, this festival is called Magh Bihu.
In Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh this festival is called Lohri or Maghi. This Festival is called Thai Pongal, In Tamilnadu, in Uttarakhand, it is called Ghughuti.
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All married women donate cotton, oil, and salt to other suhagan or married women on their first Sankranti, In Maharashtra. Even a small gift is given to all married women.
Women worship sugar. Sugad means small mud pots which are filled with various grains. This festival is also called as Festival of Harvest. In Bengal, there is a tradition of donating til after taking a bath in Makar Sankranti.
On the occasion of Makar Sankranti in Tamil Nadu, this festival is celebrated as Pongal for four days. In Gujarat, the kite festival is organized on the occasion of Makar Sankranti.
This festival is celebrated on a grand scale. It is said that people especially visit Gujarat to experience this festival. In Uttar Pradesh, it is mainly the festival of ‘Donation’.
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The Magh fair, which continues for one month on the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati in Allahabad, starts from the day of Makar Sankranti only.
On this auspicious day, people fast in Uttar Pradesh eat, and offer khichdi. Also, Khichdi Mela is organized at Gorakhdham in Gorakhpur.
In some places, this is celebrated for four days. It generally started with Bhogi followed by Makara, then Kanuma and Mukkanuma. Bhogi is celebrated in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.
Makara Sankranti is celebrated widely across the country while Kanuma and Mukanuma are celebrated in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
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In Assam, this festival is celebrated with feasts and bonfires. People prepare to makeshift hut in which they eat on Makar Sankrant and burn the next day morning.
Newlywed couples are gifted with black clothes and jewelry made of halwa or pointed sugar balls. If a house has new born then Borenan is done.
In this, a basket filled with chocolates, berries, halwa, etc is put over the child who is also wearing black clothes and halwa jewelry
This is another festival which is widely celebrated across India. This is also a celebration of harvest.
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Common Beliefs of Makar Sankranti
It is said that one who wears black and does not go out much then Sankrant of problems does not fall on him. The sharing of til laddus takes away the bitterness and spreads love among the relations.
It is also believed that married women and laddu are blessed with children. People wear black clothes to wade with ill luck.
Special Food Item on Makar Sankranti
This festival falls in winter and hence all the food items prepared are generally heat-generating. The most famous food item of all is Til Laddu which is prepared from til or sesame and gud or jaggery.
Another famous dish is til poli. A mixture of til and gud is used to stuff roti. Most of the Odiya people prepare Makara Chaula. It is made from freshly harvested rice, jaggery, milk, banana, sugarcane, and chhena.
In Maharashtra, a day before Makar Sankranti is called bhogi. A special Bhogi Sabji or vegetable and bhakai or a chapatti made of bajra is prepared. Some also prepare khichadi.
Payesh and Pinni are also famous dishes in this festival. In the state of Gujrat, it is a kite festival with main food items like fafda and jalebi. A famous vegetable undiyo is made on this occasion.
Makar Sankranti Wishes
Wishing you a joyous and prosperous Makar Sankranti! Here are some wishes you can use, depending on who you’re sending them to:
General wishes for Makar Sankranti
- May the sun’s warmth fill your life with happiness and good health. Happy Makar Sankranti!
- Wishing you a day filled with the sweetness of tilgul, the joy of bonfires, and the vibrant colors of kites. Happy Makar Sankranti!
- May this Makar Sankranti be a new beginning, filled with hope, good fortune, and success. Happy Sankranti!
- On this auspicious day, may the Sun God bless you with love, light, and laughter. Happy Makar Sankranti!
Makar Sankranti Wishes For family and friends
- Sending warm wishes for a joyful Makar Sankranti filled with delicious treats, fun-filled celebrations, and precious moments with loved ones.
- May your life be as sweet as tilgul and as bright as the Makar Sankranti sky. Happy Sankranti to my dear family and friends!
- Thank you for always making this festival special. Wishing you a happy and prosperous Makar Sankranti!
Makar Sankranti Wishes For colleagues and business associates
- Wishing you a prosperous Makar Sankranti! May this new year bring new opportunities and achievements for you and your business.
- Warm wishes for a blessed Makar Sankranti. May the sun god shine on your endeavors and guide you towards success.
- Sending you my best wishes for a joyous and prosperous Makar Sankranti. May the year ahead be filled with growth and abundance.
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Significance of Makar Sankranti Festival and Rituals: FAQ
Makar sankranti festival 2024
Monday, 14 January 2022
Other name of makar sankranti festival
This festival is also called Uttarayan or northward movement of the sun. This festival is also called Maghi Sankrant.
How Makar Sankranti related to Mahabharat
One of the stories is dated back to Mahabharata. It is said that Bhishma Pitamah had a blessing of Icha Mrityu or death as per wish.
On the day of Makar Sankranti, Bhishma Pitamah’s soul left his body.
What is makar sankranti
Makar Sankranti Festival is one such festival that falls on the same day every year that is on the 14th of January. This day signifies the end of winter and the start of summer meaning longer days and shorter nights. Generally, all the Hindu festivals are as per the lunar calendar but this I one festival that is as per the solar calendar.
Is Makar Sankranti gazetted holiday
No
Makar Sankranti is not a gazetted holiday in India.
Why do we wear black dresses on Makar Sankranti
It is said that one who wears black and does not go out much then Sankrant of problems does not fall on him. The sharing of til laddus takes away the bitterness and spreads love among the relations.
It is also believed that married women til and Laddu are blessed with children. People wear black clothes to wade with ill luck.
Can we eat non veg on makar sankranti
No…do not consume and do not advise
We should not consume nonveg. Do not advise anyone nonveg on this day. It is a spiritual day. Celebrate it with veg food like
1. Til Laddu which is prepared from til or sesame and gud or jaggery.
2. Another famous dish is til poli.
3. Most of the Odiya people prepare Makara Chaula.
4. In the state of Gujarat, it is a kite festival with main food items like fafda and jalebi.
How do we celebrate makar sankranti
Celebration of Makar Sankranti is held in different ways across India as per the local rituals.
1. In Bihar, the Makar Sankranti festival is known as Khichdi. On this day, donating urad, rice, gold, woolen clothes, blankets, etc. have their importance.
2. In Maharashtra, Goa, Odisha, Karnataka Andhra Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh this festival is called Lohri or Maghi. This Festival is called Thai Pongal, In Tamilnadu, in Uttarakhand, it is called Ghughuti.
3. Pradesh This festival is called Makar Sankranti while in Bihar, Assam, this festival is called Magh Bihu.
4. All married women donate cotton, oil, and salt to other suhagan or married women on their first Sankranti, In Maharashtra. Even a small gift is given to all married women.
5. On the occasion of Makar Sankranti in Tamil Nadu, this festival is celebrated as Pongal for four days. In Gujarat, the kite festival is organized on the occasion of Makar Sankranti.
6. This festival is celebrated on a grand scale. It is said that people especially visit Gujarat to experience this festival. In Uttar Pradesh, it is mainly the festival of ‘Donation’.
How we celebrate makar sankranti
Celebration of Makar Sankranti is held in different ways across India as per the local rituals.
1. In Bihar, the Makar Sankranti festival is known as Khichdi. On this day, donating urad, rice, gold, woolen clothes, blankets, etc. has its importance.
2. In Maharashtra, Goa, Odisha, Karnataka Andhra Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh this festival is called Lohri or Maghi. This Festival is called Thai Pongal, In Tamilnadu, in Uttarakhand, it is called Ghughuti.
3. Pradesh This festival is called Makar Sankranti while in Bihar, Assam, this festival is called Magh Bihu.
4. All married women donate cotton, oil, and salt to other suhagan or married women on their first Sankranti, In Maharashtra. Even a small gift is given to all married women.
5. On the occasion of Makar Sankranti in Tamil Nadu, this festival is celebrated as Pongal for four days. In Gujarat, the kite festival is organized on the occasion of Makar Sankranti.
6. This festival is celebrated on a grand scale. It is said that people especially visit Gujarat to experience this festival. In Uttar Pradesh, it is mainly the festival of ‘Donation’.
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