Makar Sankranti

Introduction –

This is the time to welcome the sky with kites in vibrant colors of pink, yellow and red. This is the time to bid goodbye to bone-chilling winter days and welcome warmer days. Yes, you have guessed it right! This is the time for one of the biggest festivals in the country – Makar Sankranti.

In India, major festivals are inspired from harvest. Makar Sankranti is one of them and it is celebrated in many parts of India. This is also known as the thanksgiving festival of India. This is also harvesting time and farmers thank the almighty for keeping the land flourishing. Depending on the solar cycle, this harvesting festival is celebrated on the 14^th or 15^th of January. One of the spiritual reasons to celebrate this festival by offering prayers to the Sun God and taking a holy dip in a river Like the Ganga and thanking God for success and prosperity. Sun plays an important role in Hindu mythology. It is an old belief among people that taking bath in rivers like Ganga which is in its purest form removes past sins of an individual and purifies the soul.

Meaning of Makar Sankranti –

Words Makar and Sankranti form the term Makar Sankranti. The word Makar implied Capricorn and Sankranti means transformation. This implies the transformation of the Sun in the Zodiac Sign Capricorn.

Significance –

It is a divine process when the sun is transformed into the zodiac sign Capricorn and hence this festival is celebrated. From this period, we would experience long days and short lights during this time of year. Kumbh Mela also holds a major significance as people take a holy dip in Triveni Sangam and this is a point where their significant Indian rivers -Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati meet on this day. Large number of people are gathered on this day at Kumbh Mela on this auspicious occasion.

Celebration –

Festivals bring peace, harmony, happiness, delicacy and togetherness. One of the main delicacies served in this festival is khichdi. This dish is prepared using lentils, rice and abundance of ghee. The delicacies like ghee laden desserts like chili, Gajak to toothsome savouries like khichdi. Foodie dream come true with these different range of delicacies served in this festival. Sesame seeds, fried grams, jaggery, groundnut and dry coconut are being served emphasise on the importance of festival. The main purpose of celebrating this festival to pray for better future, prosperity, good health, happiness and peaceful life ahead.

In this festival, traditional sweets consist of sesame seeds and jaggery are eaten on this auspicious day.  This festival is living together in harmony and peace with family. Eating sesame seeds can lead to internal purification of human being. There is myth that people donate food, clothing to needy.  People also fly kites together and create a family bond.