Makar Sankranti

By Arnav Kadam
 MAKAR SANKRANTI
Makar Sankranti is a unique festival which is celebrated all over the India. The
meaning of the word Makar Sankranti came from two words Makar and Sankranti.
The meaning of Makar is Capricorn, and the meaning of Sankranti is the transition,
which makes Makar Sankranti as the transition of the sun in the Capricorn (zodiac
sign). It is a very auspicious and sacred occasion, according to Hinduism. The shift of
sun into Capricorn keeps divine importance, and according to us Indians, we believe
taking a dip in the holy river Ganga washes away all our sins and make our soul pure
and blessed. This day signifies the increase of spiritual light and reduces the
materialized darkness. According to science, Makar Sankranti has longer days and
shorter nights.
There is also a belief that taking a dip in the holy water of ‘Triveni Sangam’ which is
the point where three holy rivers met that is Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati at
Prayagraj on the day of Makar Sankranti during the time of ‘Kumbh Mela’ has great
importance in the Hindu religion. During that time, taking a dip in the holy river
washes away all your sins with the flow of the river.
It has a variety in its name because in different states it has different names. Let’s take
a look at it!
 Different names of Makar Sankranti
NAMES OF MAKAR
STATES
SANKRANTI
 Maharashtra  Makar Sankranti
 Odisha  Makar Chaula
 Karnataka  Suggi Habba
 Uttarakhand  Ghughuti
 Andhra Pradesh  Pedda Panduga
 Telangana  Makar Sankranti
 Madhya Pradesh  Makar Sankraman
 Bihar  Til Sankranti
 Kerala  Makarvilakku
 HOW MAKAR SANKRANTI IS
CELEBRATED IN MAHARASHTRA?
•Bhogi is celebrated one day before Makar Sankranti. Mix
vegetables are made because there are easily available in
winter and are nutritious for our health.
•Kite flying is a sport played on Makar Sankranti. There are

many competitions held on that day for kite flying. There

is a legend which also says that the gods awaken from their
six-month long slumber, and handmade kites are flown as
an act of gratitude to them for bringing good luck and a
long life. There are many who dedicate the festival to the
Sun God as well, and head to the rooftops to be ‘blessed’
by Vitamin D. Munching on ‘til’ or sesame treats becomes a
must at this time.
 How Makar Sankranti is celebrated in
Maharashtra?
 In Maharashtra on Makar Sankranti day people exchange
til-gul and til-gul laadoo . Gulachi poli are offered for lunch.
While exchanging til-gul as tokens of goodwill people greet
each other by saying “Til-gul ghya aani god-god bola!”
 Women invite friends/family members and celebrate Haldi-
Kunku. Guests are given til-gul and some small gift, as a
part of the ritual. Women and mens make it a point to wear
black clothes. As Sankranti falls in the winter months of the
region, wearing black adds to the body warmth. This is an
essential reason behind wearing black clothes, which is
otherwise barred on festival days. As per another legend,
Lord Surya forgave his son Shani and his son visited him on
Sankranti. And that's why people distribute everyone
sweets and urge them to let go of any negative or angry
feelings.
 How Makar Sankranti is celebrated in
Odisha?
 The festival is known as Makar Chaula
in Odisha where people prepare makar chaula:
uncooked newly harvested rice, banana, rasagola,
sesame, coconut, jaggery, Khai/Liaa
and chhena puddings for naivedya to gods and
goddesses. The withdrawing winter entails a change in
food habits and intake of nourishing and rich food.
Therefore, this festival holds traditional cultural
significance.
 HOW IS MAKAR SANKRANTI
CELEBRATED IN ODISHA?
• Itis astronomically important for devotees who worship the sun god at
the great Konark temple with enthusiasm as the sun starts its annual swing
northwards. According to various Indian calendars, the Sun's movement
changes and the days from this day onwards become lengthier and
warmer and so the Sun-God is worshiped on this day as a great benefactor.
Many individuals at the start of the day perform a ritual bath while
fasting. Makar Mela (Fun fair) is observed at Dhabaleswar in Cuttack,
Hatakeshwar at Atri in Khordha, Makara Muni temple in Balasore and
near deities in each district of Odisha. In Puri special rituals are carried out
at the temple of Lord Jagganath. In Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Kalahandi,
Koraput and Sundargarh where the tribal population is greater, the festival
is celebrated with great joy. They celebrate this festival with great
enthusiasm, singing, dancing and generally having an enjoyable time.
THANK YOU!