Makar Sankranti is one of the most auspicious days in Hinduism celebrated in India. It is a Thanksgiving event as well, which marks the harvesting season for the farmers. From the astrological perception, this is the day that marks the journey of the Sun toward the Northern hemisphere, also known as Uttarayan. Here the Sun enters the zodiac sign Capricorn; the Sun remains in the Northern hemisphere for six months.
Makar Sankranti also indicates the end of winters and the arrival of spring and then summer. This is how one day marks so many auspicious happenings, and hence this is a must celebration in al over India. Not just Hindus, but everyone celebrates makar sankrant festival.
The day is known by different names in different regions of India; however, the motor remains the same, and that is to express gratitude toward God, the creator of the world. In South India, the day is more famous as Pongal, which is a four days celebration there. In Punjab, the occasion is known as Lohri, during which farmers celebrate the crops they yield from the fields with drums and dhols; people sing, dance, and prepare sweets and snacks to distribute among each other.
Let’s have the specific reasons in detail-
An Important Hindu Festival
India is a country which marks diversity and which means a lot of celebrations and joy. Hindus celebrate many festivals and décor them in a grand manner which happens on the occasions like Navaratri, Diwali, and more.
Makar Sankranti is one such Hindu festival that marks the important journey of the Sun in the Northern hemisphere. It is the harvest festival where farmers celebrate the yield of their crops.
Farmers express gratitude toward Sun as it gives them needed energy and heat to make agriculture possible. They express gratitude toward their cattle, such as bulls, as they help them plow the fields, and they become thankful to the whole mother nature for making the climate suitable that human beings can farm and eat.
In some parts of India, sesame laddoos are a must that people make with sesame seeds and jaggery. Several other eateries are prepared in homes; the festivity becomes one of the most loved celebrations during which they also visit their relatives’ homes. Some people also buy new clothes to celebrate.
Sesame laddoos also have another importance than taste. These sweet round balls made of jaggery and sesame seeds help to keep the body warm in winters.
The Sun Enters a Different Zodiac Sign
Sun is considered a Lord in our Vedas; it is the prime celestial body whose gravitational force keeps every planet in orbit. In Vedas, Sun is the Lord who provides us warmth and energy that is necessary to make living possible on Earth. Without Sun, there would be no life on this plane.
Sankranti marks the arrival of the Sun in the Northern hemisphere. Every year Sun enters from South to North and North to South hemisphere. It stays there for six long months. In Hinduism, Uttarayan is significant because it is believed that Sun entering the North marks the morning of the Devas. All the Devas wake up after sleeping for six long months.
Harvest Season for Farmers
Farmers sow the seeds and yield the crops, and they do it all year round without resting. Farmers are the givers who provide us with food to eat and live. Without them, no one can imagine life on Earth.
Hence this day is considered as the day of farmers on which we pay respect to them, and the farmers pay respect to mother nature and the Universe for making farming possible.
This is the day of celebration for the farmers where they celebrate their crops, their cattle and clean their houses.
Women Pray for the Family
In some parts of North India, women take a holy dip in a river and pray for the long lives of their husbands and family. Kumbh Mela also begins from this day; the nights start getting longer, and days become shorter.
Beginning of the Auspicious Uttarayan Period
From here begins the auspicious period of Uttarayan, which is considered the morning of Devas. They all stay awake for six months before the Sun enters again into the Southern hemisphere. In some Vedas, it is mentioned that souls who depart from this world during the Uttarayan period definitely get the abode of the Lord.
This is also a reason why the prime character Bhishma decided to give up his soul on the arrival of Uttarayan, and until then, he was lying on the bed of arrows and bearing the pain, as per the Epic Mahabharata.
There are many important reasons why Makar Sankranti is a must celebration in India and in every region of the country. Every region celebrates it differently; however, the fun and enthusiasm remain the same.
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