Understanding Makar Sankranti: Significance, traditions, and celebrations

Makar Sankranti is an auspicious day for Hindus (Tamil, Telugu, Gujarati, Punjabi, Sindhi, Hindi and Bhojpuri speaking people, and others). It is one of the major festival's that is celebrated by Indians all over the world.

Sankranti means "to move from one place to another". Makar is the Hindi word for the Capricorn zodiac sign. On Makar Sankranti, which falls on January 14, the Sun will move from Sagittarius into Capricorn. The planet Sun (Lord Surya Narayana) makes 12 movements during the year, but this is one of the most important transitions religiously, spiritually and astrologically.

The traditional Indian calendar is based on lunar positions but Sankranti is a solar event. So while dates of all Hindu festivals keep changing as per the Gregorian calendar, the date of Makar Sankranti remains constant.

SIGNIFICANCE OF MAKAR SANKRANTI:

1. According to Hindu mythology, Shanidev is the son of Lord Sun and on this day Lord Sun visits the house of his son Shanidev, who is the Lord of Makar Rashi (Capricorn). This day symbolises the healthy relationship of father and son.

2. It was on this day that Lord Vishnu ended the ever increasing terror of the Asuras by killing them and burying their heads under the Mandara Parvata (Mountain).

3. In the era of Mahabharata, Bhishma Pithama had a blessing of wish death.Although lying on the bed of arrows, he did not sacrifice his life and waited for the Sun to go into Makar Rashi (Capricorn). It is believed that if one dies on this day in Uttarayan, they attain salvation. Bhishma Pithama discarded his body on this day.

4. Uttarayan is considered as the day time for demi-Gods. Night is considered as the symbol of sin, false and wrong doings, whereas, day is regarded as the symbol of truth, virtue and religion. So, when it is day for Gods, all work of virtue are performed. It is believed that from Makar Sankranti the doors of heaven are opened, so people celebrate this auspicious occasion.

5. Another legend is that King Bhageeratha brought the Ganges river down on Earth from the heaven on Makara Sankranti day. This was to get salvation to his ancestors who were cursed by Sage Kapila and turned into ashes. On this day, millions of people take a bath in the Ganges river. Makara Sankranti is also the most important bathing date during "Kumbh Mela".

VARIATION OF MAKAR SANKRANTI IN DIFFERENT STATES:

Makar Sankranti is celebrated differently in different states all across India. A variation on two counts, it's name as well as the way it is celebrated, is found when it comes to Makar Sankranti in India.

In Bengal, the festival is synonymous with donating til after taking a bath. Til-gul is distributed in Maharashtra on this day. It is celebrated as Lohdi in Punjab and Haryana. After sunset, people assemble to worship Agni Devata, offering til, gud, rice etc as ahuti.

Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Pongal in Tamilnadu and the festive season lasts for a few days.

In Rajasthan, people fly kites from morning till evening. Married females dress up for the occasion.

ASTROLOGICAL AND SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE:

1. Taking a bath in the holy river and giving donations has special importance in Makar Sankranti. Religious scriptures also emphasise upon bath, donation and religious jobs on this day. It has been said that donations given on Makar Sankranti comes back thousand times more. On this day in India millions of people will take a bath in the holy river "Ganga" and in other rivers too.

2. Astrologically, it is one of the best days to earn "good karma" quickly by doing any form of charity. It will help to reduce your planetary problem.

3. You can please the planets Sun and Saturn very easily on this day.

4. On this occasion a father's and son's bond can become stronger, if they have differences.

5. Parents blessings are always important but on this day a father's blessings are more effective. If a father visits his son's house on this day, it is considered very auspicious.

SUNDAY TRIBUNE