Punya Kaal Muhurta = 09:30 to 18:45
Duration = 9 Hours 15 Mins
Sankranti Moment = 09:30
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.
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
ॐ
भूर्भुव: स्व: तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं
। भर्गो देवस्य
धीमहि, धीयो यो
न: 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.
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 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.
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
.JPG)
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