Wednesday 14 January 2015

Makar Sankranti







Punya Kaal Muhurta = 09:30 to 18:45
Duration = 9 Hours 15 Mins
Sankranti Moment = 09:30 
Mahapunya Kaal Muhurta = 09:30 to 09:54
Duration = 0 Hours 24 Mins




Makara Samkranti
The month of January has witnessed several significant events of the history such as birth of Swami (sage) Vivekananda, lord Ganesha, and Martin Luther king. One of the most auspicious days for the Hindus, Makara Samkranti, also falls in the same month, generally on the 14th January. Makara (Capricorn) is a name of one of the 12 signs of zodiac. The anology of Samkranti is Sama-Kranti. Sama in Samskrita language means balanced, equal or orderly state of existence and kranti means a fundamental change. Briefly, Samkranti means a transition. Thus the basic meaning of the Samkranti is a change towards a balanced life and social setup and brotherhood amongst all individuals.

Makar Sankranti is the day when the sun enters into the zodiac Capricorn or Makara. It is also known as Uttarayana Punyakalam and heralds the arrival of spring season.

Makar Sankranti, also known as Sankranti or Makara Sankrant, is one of the highly auspicious days in a Hindu calendar and the day is dedicated to the worship of Lord Surya (Sun God). Every living and non-living being merges with the Brahman and Sun is the Pratyaksha-Brahman or the Brahman that can be seen. 

The importance of Sun to earth and to the living beings was understood by Hindus from the very beginning. And the importance of it can be found in the Gayatri Mantra chanted to Sun (Surya) daily.



In Samskrit language, 'Kranti' means change and 'Sankranti' means good change.

It is celebrated on this day because of the positive change in the nature at this time. The Sun enters the sign of Makara or Capricorn. From this day, the duration of day increases and that of night decreases. Light symbolizes knowledge, and brighter aspects in our lives and darkness represent ignorance and duller aspects. Thus 'Sankranti' signifies this positive change of increasing the good qualities in us and decreasing the negative ones.

This also marks the celebration of harvesting season. This happy occasion is termed as Pongal in southern Bharat and as Khichadi in northern Bharat - both of them being names of delicacies specially prepared on that day!

Makar Sankranti is observed throughout India by all communities but with slight variations in the festivities.

In Bengal, Makar Sankranti is noted for the Ganga Sagar Mela and Pithey parban.
Bhogali Bihu is celebrated on the day in Assam.
Makar Mela is observed in Orissa.
In North India, it is the time of Lohri and Khichadi.

In Central India, it is Sankranti.
In Tamil Nadu, Makar Sankranti is observed as Pongal.

In Andhra Pradesh, it is known as Sankranthi.
In Karnataka - Sankranthi

In Maharashtra it Makar Sankranti and Til Gul


In Kerala, the famous Sabarimala Pilgrimage comes to an end with sighting of the Makaravilakku.

In Gujarat and Rajasthan, it is known as Uttarayan and is noted for the kite flying event.

 It is an important bathing date during the famous Magh Mela and Kumbh Mela at Sangam (Prayag) in Allahabad.




Makar Sankranti signals the end of winter and the onset of spring throughout the northern hemisphere. The period is referred to as Uttarayan Punyakalam and is considered auspicious. For the next six months, the days are longer and warmer. Legend has it that the Devas wake up after a six-month long slumber during this period.

There is also a symbolic meaning to Makara Sankranti. ‘Makar’ meanscrocodile. Sankranti means ‘to cross into or change.’ The ‘Makara’ or crocodile represents the materialistic world and ‘Sankranti’ gives an opportunity to get away from the clutches of the crocodile or the materialistic world.

The six month long Uttarayana begins on the Makar Sankrant day. From this day, the harshness of winter subsidizes and the days get longer. Symbolically, the Sun slowly removes darkness and ushers in the light of knowledge. Uttarayana is also the daytime of the Devas and therefore auspicious activities takes place during this period.


What to do on Makar Sankranti Day? 
Makara Sankranti is associated with Surya (Sun God), so the best way to start the day is by reciting the Gayatri Mantra.

Aum Bhur Bhuvah Swah, Tat Savitur Varenyam

Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi, Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat

भूर्भुव: स्व: तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि, धीयो यो : प्रचोदयात् ।।


Oh God, the Protector, the basis of all life, Who is self-existent, Who is free from all pains and Whose contact frees the soul from all troubles, Who pervades the Universe and sustains all, the Creator and Energizer of the whole Universe, the Giver of happiness, Who is worthy of acceptance, the most excellent, Who is Pure and the Purifier of all, let us embrace that very God, so that He may direct our mental faculties in the right direction.




It is believed that Lord Surya visits his son Lord Shani on this day, irrespective of their difference in opinions. Therefore many people make it a point to visit their sons and buy them gifts. It is also a day to forgive past quarrels and start afresh.

Simple food is the order of the day and many people prepare ‘kichari’ on this day. Sweets and dishes made out of Sesame oil (Til) are served on this day. Sweets made out of Til is exchanged as mark of friendship. The symbolic meaning is to emulate the quality of Tilgul – to stick together even in adversity. Rice meal is the order of the day in Bihar, Jharkhand and is some parts of Uttar Pradesh.

Throughout India Makar Sankrati is in a way associated with harvest. So people pray for a good harvest on this day. Cows - which is an integral part of agriculture – is bathed and worshipped. Another important aspect is ‘Daan’ or Charity. Charity does not merely confirm to money but a person donates what he/she is able to like food, Moong Dal, rice, ghee, Til etc.

There is slight variation in the festivities in different states

In Maharashtra, sweets made out of Til dominate the day. The sweets are exchanged between friends and relatives. Married women in Maharashtra apply Haldi-Kumkum on each others forehead. Some houses invite married women and gifts are distributed.

In Rajasthan, especially in Jaipur, the most important event is the kite flying.

In Gujarat, the important event is the kite flying. Elders also give gifts to family members on this day.
In Uttar Pradesh and people living along the banks of Ganga takes a dip in the river on this day and offer prayers to Sun God.

Makar Sankranti is celebrated throughout India in different names and in South India it is an important harvest festival. 



Makara Samkranti Celebrations
Makara Samkranti is celebrated in almost all parts of the Bharat (India). As Bharat is a diverse and multilinguist country, this festival is called by different names in different parts of the country such as ‘Pongal‘, ‘Lohri‘, ‘Khichari‛, ‘Paush Samkranti‛, ‘Magha Samkranti‛, ‘Bhogali Bihu‛. This festival is also celebrated in different ways. During this day, elders in the family give special gifts to the younger members of the family. Thousands of people fly colorful kites. They also hold kite competitions. Especially kids and youngsters take part in the kite competitions and play enthusiastically. Kite-playing has been a unique and famous game being played in Bharat. People from northern parts of the India get up early in the morning and do the Ganga-Snan (bathing in the waters of the holy river - Ganga) and Surya-pooja (worshipping the Sun). The month January is the peak of the winter. On the eve of Samkranti, people lit huge bonfires around which all friends and relatives gather together. In some parts of the India, a til-gul (a mixture of til - sesame seeds and gul - jagary) is served to friends and family members. In cold days, eating til-gul helps to maintain the body temperature and to keep the health good. Womenfolks, especially recently married ones, invite each other for the get together called ‘Haldi-kumkum‛ and give gifts which are useful in the daily routine. In southern parts of Bharat, it is celebrated by worshipping the god - Sun. The people eat and serve a pongal - a delicious dish January Festival of sweet rice and jaggery. In villages, cows, bullocks and cattle are washed, decorated and worshipped. Birds are fed colorful pongal balls. Bullock cart races are held where the village people get together and participate. There is a tradition of special art called Rangoli, which is drawn during this festival season. This art is done in front of the house with the Rice flour and colors. As described in the beginning, though Makara Samkranti is being known by different names and celebrated in different ways, the message delivered by it is one and the same and for all. Despite the variety of rituals and customs, there is a unity and homogeneity in the basic concept of this festival.

Historical Importance 
There are also numerous legends and myths which add to the importance of Makara Sankranti.

The day of Makara Samkranti has very much historical importance too. It was the day that Pitamaha Bhishma chose to die. 


It was the day when holy river Ganga flowed down from Heaven to Earth. It was the day when lord Vishnu killed the demons, buried their heads under the Mandar Parvat (mountain) and ended ever increasing terrorism. Just two days before the Makara Samkranti, Swami (a sage) Vivekananda took the birth.


Social Aspect
On the social ground, Makara Samkranti carries a vital significance for society‛s welfare. It stands for the brotherhood amongst all individuals which is the basic requisite of the great precepts of liberty and equality. The selfishness, the ultimate destructor of the social fabric cannot stand where a spirit of brotherhood; fraternity is alive. As described earlier, it is the tradition to eat and serve til (sesame seeds) and gul (jaggery). Til represents an individual whereas jaggery represents sweetness, love and affection. The paste of jaggery (love and affection) holds all til (individuals) together to form a social harmony. In today‛s world, where variety of faiths and beliefs exist, this kind of attitude is very much essential. This is the day considered as a time to express gratitude to the elements of mother nature which help to nurture and enrich human lives. From this day, the duration of sun-light increases and that of night (darkness)decreases. Light symbolizes knowledge, and brighter aspects of our lives and darkness represent ignorance and duller aspects. Thus ‘Samakranti‛ signifies this positive change of increasing the good qualities in us and decreasing the negative ones.

Astrological Significance
As per the Hindu philosophy, the first period of the year (first six months) is called as Uttaraayana. It is also known as northern hemisphere. The second period is called as Dakshinaayana or southern hemisphere. Makara Samkranti is the day when Uttaraayana starts. In other words, it is the day when the Sun changes the direction of its course and starts journey in northern hemisphere. As you know, there are 12 signs of zodiac. Makara (Capricorn) is the first sign that falls in Uttaraayana path; northern hemisphere. Let us consider an example of a train. A train makes a round trip. It reaches the destination, changes its direction and returns back to where it started. Similarly, on this day, the Sun completes the path of Dakshinaayana (southern hemisphere), changes its direction and start journeying Uttaraayana (northern hemisphere). The Sun changes its direction at the point of time when it enters the sign of Makara (Capricorn).
  
Highlights of the Makara Samkranti
1) Makara Samkranti is known by various names and celebrated in various ways.
2) It stands for a change towards balanced life and social setup. It promotes
    brotherhood amongst all individuals.
3) Uttarayana is a brighter part (wisdom) and Dakshinayana is a darker part (ignorance).
    The Sun‛s journey from Uttarayana to Dakshinayana indicates journey from 
    ignorance to wisdom.