Makar Sankranti 2023 celebration

Why makar sankranti is celebrated ?

Makar Sankranti is a festival that is celebrated in India and Nepal to mark the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Makara (Capricorn). This event marks the end of the month with the winter solstice and the start of longer days. The festival is typically celebrated on January 14th or 15th, depending on the location and the local calender.

The festival is celebrated in different ways in different parts of the country. In some places, people take a dip in holy rivers to purify themselves and absolve their sins. In other places, people fly kites to celebrate the festival. In Gujarat and Maharashtra, people prepare a sweet dish made from til (sesame seeds) and jaggery (unrefined cane sugar) which is called "til-gud" and is distributed among friends and family.

In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, people prepare a sweet dish made from new harvested paddy, jaggery and milk, which is called "pongal" and is distributed among friends and family. In West Bengal, people prepare a sweet dish made from new harvested paddy, milk, and sugar which is called "pitha" and is distributed among friends and family.

Makar Sankranti is also celebrated as a harvest festival. It marks the end of the harvest season and is a time to give thanks for a bountiful harvest. People offer their first harvest of the season to the gods and goddesses and pray for a good harvest in the coming year.

The festival is also considered an auspicious time for weddings and other ceremonies. In some parts of the country, it is considered a good time to start new ventures or begin new projects.

Makar Sankranti is also known as "Pongal" in Tamil Nadu and "Maghi" in Punjab, "Khichdi" in Uttar Pradesh, "Til Sankranti" in Maharashtra, "Makara Sankrantam" in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, "Makar Sankranti" in Gujarat and "Poush Sankranti" in West Bengal.

In conclusion, Makar Sankranti is a festival celebrated in India and Nepal that marks the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Makara (Capricorn) and signifies the end of the winter solstice, the start of longer days and the harvest season. It is celebrated in different ways in different parts of the country, but generally involves prayers, offerings, and the sharing of traditional sweet dishes made from newly harvested crops. Additionally, it is considered an auspicious time for weddings and new ventures.

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