India’s biggest Festival Makar Sankranti

 

Makar Sankranti is an important Hindu festival celebrated all over India and marks the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Makar (Capricorn).

It is celebrated on the fourteenth day of January every year and marks the end of the winter solstice.

This auspicious day is celebrated with much fanfare and enthusiasm as people indulge in various festive activities.

In this blog post, we will take a look at how Makar Sankranti is celebrated all over India.

 

What is Makar Sankranti?

Makar Sankranti is one of the most popular festivals in India and marks the start of the Hindu Solar calendar.

Celebrated on the 14th of January every year, this festival is celebrated with much enthusiasm in different parts of India with their own set of rituals and customs.

Makar Sankranti is celebrated in honor of the sun god, Surya and is believed to bring good luck and prosperity.

This day marks the end of winter season and start of the longer days with more sunlight. It is also a sign of abundance and fertility as farmers prepare to sow the seeds for the harvest season.

 

The day is celebrated in various ways throughout India

 

In some parts of India, bonfires are lit and people make offering to the gods, while others exchange sweets, fruits, gifts and traditional dishes like til ladoos.

Flying kites is also a popular activity during Makar Sankranti, symbolizing victory over darkness and the heralding of light.

The festival brings communities together, fostering a spirit of harmony and joy and is one of the oldest Indian festivals.

As Hindus, it is a time to thank God for His bounties and blessings.

So this Makar Sankranti, let us celebrate and be thankful for all that we have!

 

The festival of Makar Sankranti

 

Makar Sankranti is one of India’s most popular festivals. Celebrated by millions of Hindus across the country, Makar Sankranti marks the transition of the Sun from Sagittarius to Capricorn.

It is also known as ‘Uttarayan’, which literally translates to the northward journey of the Sun.

The festivities continue for a week and can vary from region to region. People exchange sweets, visit relatives and friends, share gifts, and hold special prayers and puja ceremonies.

Some communities even prepare special dishes like til-gul laddoos, pitha, laddu, khichdi, and puran poli.

Makar Sankranti is also believed to have several health benefits, including relief from rheumatism and arthritis pain, prevention of certain types of cancers, improved immunity and better skin health.

The festival symbolizes the spirit of unity and harmony among people, and helps to build better relationships within communities.

No matter where you are in India during Makar Sankranti, you’re sure to experience a unique celebration that will stay with you forever!

 

How is Makar Sankranti celebrated in different parts of India?

 

Makar Sankranti is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in India and marks the beginning of a new solar year.

It is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervor across the country in different ways.

Here is a look at how Makar Sankranti is celebrated in different parts of India:
In Gujarat and Maharashtra, Makar Sankranti marks the end of the winter season and is celebrated by flying kites in the sky.

On this day, people gather to fly colorful kites in the sky to celebrate the end of the cold season and enjoy the warmer days that follow.

In South India, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Pongal. During this festival, families get together to cook traditional Pongal dishes like Ven Pongal and Sakkarai Pongal.

The celebration also includes decorating cows with garlands and colorful paints and offering prayers at temples.

In Bihar, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Khichdi, when people prepare a traditional dish called Khichdi with rice, lentils, spices, and vegetables.

The dish is prepared in different forms like sweet or salty depending on personal preference.

In West Bengal, Makar Sankranti is known as ‘Makar Sankranti’, where the festival is celebrated with religious fervor.

People take a dip in the holy Ganges river and perform Puja to seek blessings from the Almighty.

Makar Sankranti is celebrated differently in different parts of India, but the underlying sentiment of joy, love, and togetherness remains the same.

It is a great time for families to come together and celebrate this wonderful festival!