What is Makar Sankranti?
Makar Sankranti marks very auspicious happenings in India as well as astrologically. It marks the entrance of the Sun into the Capricorn zodiac sign; the Sun enters the Northern hemisphere to stay there for six months.
Sun entering the Northern hemisphere marks the arrival of spring and summer and hence the end of the winter season. From here, the nights start getting longer, and days to become shorter, which means the Sun sets early and comes late on the horizon.
In Hindu Vedas, the time of the Sun in the Northern hemisphere or Uttarayan signifies the morning of Devas. Devas wake up from their long sleep of six months, and hence all the auspicious works start getting initialized during this period. This includes marriage ceremonies, donations, charities, and other important activities.
The days also start to get warmer from this day as it is the beginning of Summer.
Harvest Festival
Makar Sankranti is significantly known as the harvest festival. This is the period when farmers yield their crops from the fields and celebrate the grains. There becomes a festive environment for the farmers since agriculture is the prime source of their income.
The celebration happens all over India with different names. It is Makar Sankranti in some states of North India; it is known as Lohri in Punjab. The same event is Magh Bihu in Assam, and in UP and Bihar, it is Khichdi.
The occasion is as Pongal in South India, which is celebrated for four days. Here there is a specific day allocated to the cattle on which farmers decorate and worship their cattle. The day in South India is known as Maatu Pongal. People bathe their animals, they paint their horns with different colors, and they offer them garlands and a bell on the neck.
In some rural areas of Tamil Nadu, farmers also organize a competition in which everyone brings their animals to show off their decoration. This event is attended by almost every member of the village and widely enjoyed by children.
This is how one festival binds the whole of India in one yarn, and let us celebrate the festivity together.
Social Significance
Makar Sankranti motivates us to have a fresh start and forget the rivalries. This occasion bestows us with a chance that we can come together with our people again and let bygones be bygones.
The festival also has the significance of preparing sesame laddoos or Til laddoos. These sweet delicacies are made using sesame seeds and jaggery. It is still the wintertime during Makar Sankranti; hence, sesame and jaggery together help to keep the body warm and moisturized from within when everything becomes flaky and cold in winters.
Thus other than being a matter of taste, these till laddoos also contribute as a taste source of being beneficial to our bodies.
Kite Flying on Makar Sankranti
The famous Makar Sankranti also signifies the kite festival. This is particularly popular in Gujarat, where people organize the kite flying festival on their terrace and grounds as well.
Many tourists also visit Gujarat to witness this festival alone. Many colorful and giant kites having various interesting shapes come in the market and are bought by kite enthusiasts. On the day, the whole sky becomes colorful, and people enjoy it with their friends, relatives, and neighbors.
This event also has a beneficial side. Dut to kite-flying, people, come in the open space where they can have ample sunlight, which helps them by keeping their body warm. The famous Gujarati slogan “Kai Po Chhe” can easily be heard thousands of times during this festivity.
Sweet Delicacies of This Season
In different regions of India, there are different delicacies that are prepared and are mouth-watering. Til Laddoos and Til chikkis are Gujarati delicacies; Rewari is famous in Punjab. Similarly, Gulachi Poli is a famous Maharashtrian flatbread prepared on this occasion.
Til Pitha is famous in Assam, Puli Pitha is a specialty of Bengal, and Makara Chaula is made in Orrisa. In North Indian regions, Pinni laddoo is a famous delicacy. Sakkarai Pongal or sweet Pongal is made in Tamil Nadu.
The festival hence marks several important happenings which makes it a must celebrate the occasion. In Hindus, it is believed that marriages take place only when the Devas wake up. Hence after the period of Uttarayan arrives, marriages also start to happen. People start to look for the bride and groom and call the priest for the right Muhurta.
Everyone gets to enjoy the best time of the year other than celebrations like Holi, Diwali, Raksha Bandhan, Navaratri, and more. The festival inspires us to get closer to our people and forget all the happenings of the past year. We all should come together to celebrate Makar Sankranti in its most vibrant form and be together again and celebrate life.
