In India, every festival & galas (पर्वन्) are celebrated with faith, joy & enthusiasm.  Gala (पर्वन्) (i.e., the moment of the sun entering into a new zodiac sign) & festivals illuminates the culture & civilization of each country. In India, all the kinds of festivals are celebrated differently in each state. Likewise, the festival of Makara Sankranti (मकरः संक्रमणम्) has a special place in our country. The way humans have their impressions of humans in the same way, nature has its impressions on humans too. Nature’s impressions are not only on the human body, but also on human’s mind, lifestyle, ideology & social life too. Makara Sankranti (मकरः संक्रमणम्) is such a festival which is connected to the nature, its change & yet has its immense impressions are upon Hindus. Hindus, not only celebrate their life rituals but, also celebrate nature & its change because, our connection to nature has always been most essential part of our Dharma. Makara Sankranti (मकरः संक्रमणम्) is one of those festivals which is celebrated on the basis of nature’s change.

     Makara Sankranti (मकरः संक्रमणम्) is also known as Uttarayana (उत्तरायणम्), Sankranti, Maghi, etc. Makara Sankranti (मकरः संक्रमणम्) is a festival with different names & different rituals. Makara Sankranti (मकरः संक्रमणम्) is a Sanskrit word where Makara means Capricorn zodiac (Makara Rashi) (मकरः राशिः) & Sankranti means the transition of the Sun (सूर्यः). The whole meaning of the word Makara Sankranti is; the transition of the Sun towards the Capricorn zodiac. Uttarayana (उत्तरायणम्) is also a Sanskrit word which means; the transition of the Sun (सूर्यः) towards the North direction. So, when the Sun (सूर्यः) starts its transits towards the North direction in the Capricorn zodiac (Makara Rashi) (मकरः राशिः), that day is known as Makara Sankranti (मकरः संक्रमणम्) or Uttarayana (उत्तरायणम्). This day marks as the end of the winter months with shorter days & the beginning of the spring with longer days.

Significance of Makara Sankranti (मकरः संक्रमणम्) -

     Hindu calendars are depending on the movements of the Sun (सूर्यः) & the Moon (चन्द्रः). The movement of the Moon (चन्द्रः) in the particular Star is the measurement for the calculations of the Moon (चन्द्रः) & the movement of the Sun (सूर्यः) in the particular Zodiac is the measurement of the calculations of the Sun (सूर्यः). For example, if the movement of the Sun (सूर्यः) is in the Karka Rashi (कर्कः राशिः) (Cancer Zodiac) it is called Karkataka Sankramana (कर्कटकः संक्रमणम्) which is the beginning of Dakshinayana (दक्षिणायनम्). Similarly, the movement of the Sun (सूर्यः) is in the Dhanu Rashi (धनुः राशिः) (Sagittarius Zodiac) it is called Dhanu Sankramana (धनुः संक्रमणम्) which is known as Dhanurmaasa (धनुर्मासः), which we have already discussed in the previous article. Likewise, when the movement of the Sun (सूर्यः) is in the Makara Rashi (मकरः राशिः) (Capricorn Zodiac) it is called Makara Sankramana (मकरः संक्रमणम्) which is the beginning of Uttarayana (उत्तरायणम्). 

     According to the Hindu Astrology & Astronomy, a month in which the Sun (सूर्यः) enters Makara Rashi (मकरः राशिः) (Capricorn Zodiac) & till it completes the whole rotation; which generally is one full month i.e., total 30 days. That whole month is considered as Uttarayana (उत्तरायणम्). As per Indian Astrology & Astronomy the Sun (सूर्यः) stays with one of the Zodiac Sign every month. During this Uttarayana (उत्तरायणम्), the Sun rotates in the Makara Rashi (मकरः राशिः) (Capricorn Zodiac) until it enters the Kumbha Rashi (राशिः) (Aquarius Zodiac). Before Makara Sankranti (मकरः संक्रमणम्), the Sun (सूर्यः) is in the Southern Hemisphere. For this reason, in India, winter nights are longer & days are smaller with colder weather but, with the beginning of Makara Sankranti (मकरः संक्रमणम्), the Sun (सूर्यः) starts its journey towards Northern Hemisphere & so, days get longer & nights smaller with the hotter weather.

     Every year it is celebrated on 14 January. But the date gets changed after every 80 years. This distinction happens due to the revolution of the Sun (सूर्यः). As Hindus follow the Panchanga (पञ्चाङ्गम्) which suggests the rotation of the Sun (सूर्यः) & the Moon, because of which this day may vary from the Gregorian calendar, but for many years it is celebrated on 14th January.  Yet, when the Sun (सूर्यः) starts its transition towards Capricorn Zodiac (Makar Rashi) (मकरः राशिः), that day is known as Makar Sankranti & that day is celebrated & not according to the Gregorian dates. This year i.e., Vikram Samvat 2081 (Gregorian year 2025) Makara Sankranti (मकरः संक्रमणम्) will be held on 14th January but, last year (Vikram Samvat 2080) in Gregorian year 2024, Makara Sankranti (मकरः संक्रमणम्) was on 15th January.

     According to the Astrological Scriptures, donation on this day has its vital place in Hinduism. It is specified in the Scriptures that, by donating the oil for massage, gold, land, elephant, horse, etc. to the Brahmin who is the knower of the Vedas; one can destroy their sins. Also, offering Sukhdi (sweet made up of wheat flour & jaggery) to the Gods & Goddesses & offering water with sesame seeds to Lord Shiva on this day is beneficial. Similarly, offering a secret donation (गुप्तः दानम्) by concealing gold or silver coin in the sesame jaggery laddoos to the Brahmin, saint or poor, one can attain imperishable merit. Donating clothes & food to the poor is also considered as a fruitful act. As stated in the Scriptures that;

उत्तरे त्वयने विप्रे वस्त्र दानं महाफलम्।
तिल पूर्णमनऽवाहं दत्वा रोगैः प्रमुच्यते।। 

Meaning – On the day of Uttarayana, donating a pot full of sesame seed & clothes to the Brahmin destroys greatest sins, ailments & diseases. 

     Likewise, there are many such donations to be offered on this day are stated in the Scriptures. According to the scriptures, Dakshinayana (दक्षिणायनम्) symbolizes the night of Gods or the sign of negativity, & Uttarayana (उत्तरायणम्) is considered as a symbol of the day of Gods or a sign of positivity. Since on this day, the Sun (सूर्यः) starts its journey towards the north, people also take a holy dip in Ganga, Godavari, Krishna, or Yamuna River. Normally the Sun (सूर्यः) affects all the zodiac signs, but according to the Astrology the entry of the Sun (सूर्यः) in the zodiac sign of Cancer (Karka Rashi) (कर्कः राशिः) & Capricorn (Makara Rashi) (मकरः राशिः) are considered to be fruitful.

     Makara Sankranti (मकरः संक्रमणम्) is a harvest festival. Sesame is the main harvest of the season & is eaten fondly during this time. This festival is a big tribute to the Indian farmers & a celebration of their hard work. After a hard-working year in the field, it is a time when farmers turn happy with the harvest they obtain in their fields & later celebrate this harvest season in the form of joy & get together on Makara Sankranti (मकरः संक्रमणम्). As it is celebrated in January every year it marks the termination of the Winter season & the beginning of a new harvest season. Also, establishing cordial relationships with the people we love by ending any kind of bitterness or grudges by creating a happy relation once again is the main significance of this day which is why we celebrate this festival. So, even if there are differences, this festival is a good time to forgive, forget & move on.

Historical account – 

     According to the one of the Vedic legend, Lord Sun had a wife named Sangnaa (संज्ञा) who was the daughter of Lord Vishwakarma. They had three children viz. Vaivasvata Manu, Yam (the god of death) & Yami (also known as Yamuna). After few years Sangna (संज्ञा) was not happy with Lord Sun & she was unable to bear the heat of Lord Sun anymore so she decided to leave her husband’s house but, before leaving she created her look alike lady which was her shadow so she named her Chaayaa (छाया). She gave all the responsibilities of her husband & children to Chaayaa (छाया) & left her husband’s house. She later dwelled in the forest & did penance. After a few years, Lord Sun & Chaaya had three children viz. Savarni Manu, Shani (Saturn) & Tapti (also known as Tapi). As Shani turned out to be a very disobedient child, he never listened to his father & he did not study well. As he grew younger, he started misbehaving with his father & because of this reason Lord Sun & Lord Shani (Saturn) does not fit together. But during Makar Sankranti Lord Sun enters Lord Shani’s house by forgetting their past egos & bitterness & stays with him for a whole month. Therefore, this day indicates that one should forget old bitterness & quarrels in the past, leaving behind our well framed egos & stepping into a beautiful world of love & concern.

     Makar Sankranti is a day of virtue & purity. This day is also mentioned in the great epic Mahabharata too. There is a great legend behind this day. According to the Mahabharata, the son of Shantanu & Ganga was Bhishma Pitamah. Bhishma Pitamah had a boon to choose his death day, according to his own wish (इच्छा मृत्युः). During the greatest war of Mahabharata, on the 10th day of the war Arjuna with the help of Shikhandi shot numerous arrows upon Bhishma Pitamah & as he had a boon, he survived with those pierced arrows. He waited for 58 days & he left his body on the day of Makar Sankranti & attained salvation. Before this day, he kept waiting for Uttarayan & suffered on the bed of arrows. As Scriptures suggests that, death during Dakshinayana does not lead to liberation. Dakshinayana is considered a period of darkness. At the same time, the Uttarayan of the Sun (सूर्यः) is considered auspicious. Beginning from the day of Makara Sankranti (मकरः संक्रमणम्), it is believed that a person who passes away during the six months starting from this festive day i.e., during the period of Uttarayan (उत्तरायणम्) reaches the heaven directly & does not have a re-birth again. Therefore, Bhishma Pitamah considered this time to be the most suitable for sacrificing his life. According to the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna also suggests the same in the 24th Shloka of 8th chapter that;

अग्निर्ज्योतिरहः शुक्लःषण्मासा उत्तरायणम्।
तत्र प्रयाता गच्छन्ति ब्रह्म ब्रह्मविदो जनाः।।

Meaning - Fire, light, daytime, the bright fortnight, the six months of the Northern course of the sun – the knowers of Brahman who depart along this path, attain to Brahman.

     Due to these two famous historical accounts also, this day is considered as the most auspicious day & it is celebrated zealously.

Scientific benefits of celebrating Makara Sankranti (मकरः संक्रमणम्) –

     Each & every states perform different rituals on this day, according to which each ritual holds different scientific benefits. Now, according to the Gujarat, it is a tradition to eat chikki made of sesame & jaggery or made up of peanuts & jaggery during Makara Sankranti (मकरः संक्रमणम्) festival. It is highly beneficial for good health in this season as it is warm food. The purpose of eating these chikki is that, sesame & peanuts contains oil-based constituents, as during the winter season, skin gets dry & flaky & it requires moisture to keep it smooth & protected. So, chikki is beneficial in moisturizing the skin & thus it got connected to the tradition of eating on this day.

     Also, since winter season starts the sunrays gets very mild because of which our body are unable to receive vitamin D in sufficient quantity & when Uttarayana (उत्तरायणम्) starts, sunrays begin to fall in its sufficient quantity & to receive increasingly more vitamin D, Hindus climb on the terrace & fly kites whole day long. In the same way, when the Sun transits to the North direction; the direction of the wind gets changed & wind speed gets increased so, it gets easier to fly kites during this day. Thus, Kite-flying is a fun way of basking in the sun while reaping maximum benefit for the body & this festival is celebrated with much enthusiasm. Therefore, each ritual has such different health benefits in its own way.

Ritual ceremony of Makara Sankranti (मकरः संक्रमणम्) –

     On the occasion of Makar Sankranti (मकरः संक्रमणम्), the common ritual is to express their gratitude towards the Lord Sun (सूर्यः) by worshiping it & other righteous deeds or donations during this period are done as it is considered as extremely meritorious. But as we all know, India is a country where there are different people from different region, with different languages & from different cast but, all these different castes are connected to one Dharma called “Sanatana Dharma” & all the followers of this Dharma are known as Hindu. Makar Sankranti (मकरः संक्रमणम्) is celebrated by all the Hindus in India. Each region has different names & also have different traditions. This one festival is celebrated by more than fifteen (15) regions with different names & traditions. Let us have a look about which state have which name & tradition for this festival; 

Jammu & Kashmir – Here Makara Sankranti is celebrated as Uttrain which is derived from the word Uttarayana. A day before Lohri is celebrated by the Dogaras people of Jammu. On Uttrain (Makara Sankranti) the preparation of Khichdi (cooked rice & lentil) & as per the tradition, the donation of Khichdi is offered on Uttrain (Makara Sankranti) & this is the reason that this day is also referred as “Khichdi wala Parva”. There is also a tradition of gifting Khichdi & other food items to the married daughters.

Uttarakhand – Makara Sankranti is a popular festival in Uttarakhand. It is known by various names in the different parts of this state such as Uttarayani, Khichri Sangrand, Pusyodia, Ghughutia, Ghughuti Tyar, Kale Kauva, Makrain, Makraini, Gholda, Gwalda & Chunyatyar. The famous Uttarayani fair is held in Bageshwar town every year in the month of January during the occasion of Makara Sankranti. The traditional ritual is of taking bath before the dawn at the union of Saryu river & Gomti River which is followed by offering water to Lord Shiva at the Bagnath temple, Bageshwar. The religiously inclined people continue this practice for three days in succession, which is known as "Trimaghi". At Uttarakhand too there is a tradition of preparing Khichdi (cooked & pulses) & donating it. Yet another ritual is to offer deep fried sweet consisting of flour & jaggery to crows & other birds which is done to pay homage to the departed souls of their ancestors.

Bihar/Jharkhand – Here the Makara Sankranti festival is known as Makara Sakraat. On this day, donating black gram, rice, gold, woollen clothes, blankets, etc. is considered as auspicious.

Uttar Pradesh – It is mainly the festival of donation in Uttar Pradesh. The Magh fair, which continues for one month on the union of Ganga, Yamuna & Sarasvati in Allahabad, starts from the day of Makara Sankranti only. On this auspicious day, people do fast by eating & offering Khichdi only. Also, Khichdi Mela is organized at Gorakhdham in Gorakhpur. So, this festival is known as the festival of donation or Kicheri or Khichdi in Uttar Pradesh.

Assam/Guwahati – It is famous by the name Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu in Assam. It is the harvest festival which marks the end of the harvesting season in the month of Magha (Margashirsha). This celebration of Makara Sankranti lasts for a week. The celebration is done by conducting feasts & bonfires. The celebration is followed by traditional Assamese games such as tekeli bhonga (pot-breaking) & buffalo fighting. During Magh Bihu people of Assam make rice cakes with various names such as Shunga Pitha, Til Pitha etc. & some other coconut sweets called Laru or Laskara are made & offered.

West Bengal/North East – This festival is known as Pousha Sankranti or Poush Parbon in Weat Bengal/North East. There is a tradition of donating sesame seeds after taking bath on Makara Sankranti. People make sweets which is known as pithas made of rice flour, coconut, milk & palm jaggery. A huge fair is also organised every year at Gangasagar.

Odisa – The festival is known as Makara Sankranti in Odisa where people prepare Makara Chaula i.e., uncooked newly harvested rice, banana, coconut, Jaggery, sesame, Khai/Liaa & Chhenna puddings are made for offering it to gods & goddesses. The withdrawing winter requires a change in food habits & intake of nourishing & rich food therefore, this festival holds traditional cultural significance. It is astronomically important for devotees who worship Lord Sun at the great Konark temple with great enthusiasm as the Sun starts its annual transit to northwards.

Andhra Pradesh & Telangana – This festival is celebrated for four days in Andhra Pradesh & Telangana. 1st day is known as Bhogi, 2nd day is known as Sankranti which is the main festival day, 3rd is known as Kanuma & 4th is known as Mukkanuma.

Tamil Nadu – On the occasion of Makara Sankranti in Tamil Nadu, this festival is celebrated as Pongal or Thai Pongal for four days. It is a harvest festival. It is a four-day festival in Tamil Nadu where 1st day is known as Bhogi Pandigai, 2nd day is known as Thai Pongal, 3rd day Maattu Pongal & 4th day Kaanum Pongal. The festival is celebrated four days from the last day of the Tamil month Margashirsha to the third day of the Tamil month Thai.

Kerala – It is known as Makara Vilakku in Kerala. It is an annual festival held on this day at the shrine of Sabarimala. The festival includes the Thiruvabharanam (sacred ornaments of Lord Ayyappan) procession at the hill shrine of Sabarimala. An estimated half a million devotees take part in this procession to Sabarimala every year to witness this ritual.

Karnataka – It is known as Suggi or harvest festival for farmers of Karnataka. On this auspicious day, girls wear new clothes & visit near & dear ones with a Sankranti offering in a plate & exchange the same with other families. This ritual is called Ellu Birodhu. Here the plate contains Ellu (white sesame seeds) mixed with fried groundnuts, neatly cut dry coconut & fine cut bella (jaggery), this mixture is known as Ellu-Bella. The plate contains shaped sugar candy moulds (Sakkare Acchu) with a piece of sugarcane. There is a saying in Kannada, "ellu bella thindu olle maathadi" which means “eat the mixture of sesame seeds & jaggery & speak only sweet”. This festival signifies the harvest of the season, since sugarcane is predominant in these parts. Ellu Bella, Ellu Unde, bananas, sugarcane, red berries, haldi, kumkum & small gift items useful in everyday lives are often exchanged among women in Karnataka. During the occasion, newly married women give away bananas for five years to married women from the first year of her marriage. Kite flying, drawing rangolis, giving away of red berries known as Yalchi kai are some of the intrinsic parts of the festival. 

Goa – This festival is known as Sankrant in Goa & like in the rest of the regions; people distribute sweets in the form of granules of jaggary-coated sesame seeds among family members & friends. Newly married women offer five sunghat (small clay pots with black beaded threads tied around them) to the deity. These pots are filled with newly harvested food grains & are offered with betel leaves & betel palm seed (areca nut). 

Maharashtra/Madhya Pradesh – Here Makara Sankranti is usually celebrated for three days. People exchange multi-coloured halwa, puran poli, til-gud laddoos (sesame & jaggory laddoos) & greet each other with good wishes. Married women invite friends/family members to celebrate Haldi-Kumkum ceremony & gifts cotton cloth, oil & salt to other married women on their first Makara Sankranti after marriage. As per the legend, Lord Sun forgave his son Shani (Saturn) & visited him on Sankranti due to this reason people of Maharashtra distribute til-gud laddoos to everyone & urge them to let go of any grudges. While distributing til-gud laddoos famous phrase “til gud ghya aani god god bola” which means eat this sesame-jaggery & speak sweet words is used in Maharashtra.

Rajasthan – This festival is known as Makar Sankrati or Sakraat & it is one of the major festivals in the state of Rajasthan. This day is celebrated with special Rajasthani delicacies & sweets such as pheeni (either with sweet milk or sugar syrup dipped), til-paati, gajak, kheer, ghevar, pakodi, puwa, & til-laddoo (sesame & jaggery). People invite friends & relatives (specially their sisters & daughters) to their home for special festival meals which is known as Sankrant Bhoj. The first Sankranti experienced by a married woman is of significance as she is invited by her parents & brothers to their houses with her husband for a big feast. People give out many kinds of small gifts such as til-gud (sesame-jaggery), fruits, dry khichadi, etc. to Brahmins or the needy ones. Kite flying is traditionally observed as a part of this festival. On this occasion the sky in Jaipur & Hadoti regions is filled with kites & youngsters engage in competitions trying to cut each other's strings. 

Gujarat – This festival is known as Makara Sankranti or Uttarayan & it is a major festival in the state of Gujarat. Kite flying is organised as vital ritual part of Makar Sankranti festivities. This festival is celebrated for two days where 1st day is known as Uttarayan & 2nd day is called Vasi-Uttarayan (Stale Uttarayan) which generally is celebrated on 14th January & 15th January respectively. Gujarati people keenly await this festival to fly kites, called patang. Kites for Uttarayan are made of special light-weight paper & bamboo & are mostly rhombus shaped with central spine & a single bow which is connected to the string. Undhiyu (spicy, baked mix of winter vegetables) & chikkis (made of sesame & jaggery) are special festival food enjoyed on this day. Family members are invited on this day & kite flying is celebrated with such feasts on the terrace with family & friends. Kite flying is traditionally observed as a vital part of this festival. On this occasion the sky of whole Gujarat state is filled with kites & youngsters engage in competitions trying to cut each other's strings. The famous phrases like “Kaipo che” which means the kite sting is cut & “Lappet” which means wrap the strings can be heard during these two days. There is also a ritual of donating food & chikki to the Brahmin or to the needy people. Secret donation holds vital part in the state of Gujarat.

Punjab – One day before Makara Sankranti, Lohri is celebrated in India with enthusiasm mainly in Punjab. At night, people gather around the bonfire & offer sesame seeds, puffed rice & popcorns into the flames of the bonfire. Prayers are offered to the bonfire for seeking abundance & prosperity. This is celebrated for the increment in the agriculture. In Punjab, Makara Sankranti is celebrated as Maghi which is a religious & cultural festival. Bathing in a river in the early hours on this day is considered important. Hindus light lamps with sesame oil as this is supposed to give prosperity & drive away all sins. A major fair is held at Sri Muktsar Sahib on Maghi which is held in the memory of a historical event in Sikh history. Culturally, people dance their famous Bhangra. Then together they eat the food that is specially prepared for the occasion. It is tradition to eat kheer, rice cooked in milk & sugarcane juice, there is also tradition to consume Khichdi. December & January are the coldest months of the year in Punjab. Maghi represents the change of the season to warmer temperatures & increase in daylight. 

Delhi & Haryana – This festival is known as Sakraant in Delhi & Haryana. It is celebrated with traditional Hindu rituals of North India similar to Western UP & border areas of Rajasthan & Punjab. This includes ritual purification by taking the holy dip in rivers, especially in Yamuna, or at sacred ponds such as ancient sarovars Kurukshetra or at local ponds associated with the ancestral guardian/founder deity of the village called Jathera or Dhok (fire) in villages to wash away sins. People prepare kheer, churma, halva & distribute til-gud (sesame & jaggery) laddoos or chikkis. Brothers of married woman visits her house with a gift pack, called Sindhara or Sidha, of wood & warm clothing for her & her husband's family. Women give gift to their in-laws called Manana.

     Thus, the tradition of celebrating Makara Sankranti (मकरः संक्रमणम्) may differ, but the essence of the festival remains the same. People on this day get together to fly kites & it is one of the most prominent features of Makara Sankranti (मकरः संक्रमणम्). Though this day is connected to the religion, scientifically too it has its deep-rooted connection. We not only celebrate a festival but, we celebrate the weather changes too.

भाद्रपदः कृष्णपक्षे ०६, २०७७

अस्तु।