Makar Sankranti 2020: Date, time, significance, legends, puja & mahurat

Makar Sankranti is symbolic of the change of planetary houses that the Sun makes by shifting from Saggitarius to Capricorn. Makar Sankranti marks the beginning of the ascent of The Sun into the northern hemisphere and is celebrated by the Hindus with a lot of pomp and galore.

The festival also marks the inception of the holy phase of Uttarayana which is considered the best time for attaining ‘mukti’. It is celebrated all over India in a different manner. On this day, many pray to the deity of knowledge and wisdom (Goddess Saraswati) for clarity of mind. The festival also marks the period that signifies letting go of any grudges and quarrels and to let in beauty and love. What Is Pongal? Some Amazing Facts About The Festival Of Harvest

Makar Sankranti 2020: Everything You Need to Know

Significance of the Festival:

‘Makar’ refers to the zodiac, Capricorn and Sankranti’ means transition. This festival celebrates the Sun’s shift into Capricorn. According to Astrology, the planet, Saturn, rules the zodiac sign Capricorn. And this planet is believed to be Surya Dev’s (Lord Sun’s) son. In short, this means that during this time, the Sun comes to stay with His Son. This period also signifies letting go of any grudges and quarrels and letting in love that the world has to offer!

This festival is quite important to the agricultural community. As it marks the point from which the cold, short, wintery days give way to longer and warmer months. The limited sunlight during the winter season hinders a good harvest of crops, and this is why with the Sun moving towards the North, the entire country rejoices with the prospect of a better harvest!

The Astronomy behind Makar Sankranti:

Makar Sankranti is symbolic of the change of planetary houses that the Sun makes by shifting from Saggitarius to Capricorn during this time of the year. Although Indian festivals are based on the lunar calendar, Makar Sankranti follows the solar calendar and hence is usually celebrated on the same day every year. This also marks the inception of the holy phase of Uttarayana which is considered the best time for attaining ‘mukti’.

Celebration Rituals:

Different parts of the country celebrate the festival with different names and different ways of celebrating as per their culture and traditions.

It is known as Magh Bihu in Assam, Uttarayan in Gujarat, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, and Lohri in Punjab. Other names include ‘Khichri’ in Uttar Pradesh, ‘Sakarat’ in Central India. Some of the festivities include preparing special food dishes and sweets, like Kalagaya Kura, colored Halwas and, the most popular sweet, Til Ke Ladoos. Kite flying too is an integral part of Uttarayan. In Gujarat locals also popularly know this festival as The International Kite Festival.

In the religious states, People go in huge crowds to visit sacred places for a bath in the holy waters. Commonly, people travel to Allahabad and Varanasi, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik.

Big and small Melas (or fairs) are held all around the country on this day. Some of the famous ones are, the Kumbh Mela, the Gangasagar Mela and Makara Mela in Odisha.

In Punjab, the local people lit bonfires on the eve of Sankranti and perform puja around the sacred fire by throwing rice and sweets into it. This is followed by grand feasts and their native ‘bhangra’ dance around the fire.

In Gujarat, kite flying is of prime importance on that day. Other holy rituals like giving gifts to younger members of the family are a common practice during Makar Sankranti.

In Maharashtra, Sankranti is marked by the making and exchange of various kinds of sweets made of jaggery and sesame seeds. People greet each other and the married women exchange gifts which are known as ‘Haldi Kumkum’. In Tamil Nadu and other parts of southern India, this day marks the worship of the harvest God. Local people harvest their paddy on this day and sweets made up of rice, pulses, and milk cooked in ghee is offered to the family deity.

In Bengal, the famous Ganga sagar mela starts on this day. This is located in the delta regions of the Ganga where the river merges with the Bay of Bengal. People take holy dips in the river on this day offering early morning pujas to the Sun God at dawn.

Among the tribals of Orissa, Makar Sankranti signifies the New Year which is welcomed by cooking local food and sharing it among friends and families.

Legend:

As per Hindu mythology, it is believed that on the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti Lord Surya visits his son Lord Shani. Despite their differences, this day celebrates the bond formed between father and son despite their differences. It is believed that if a father visits his son during this day all conflicts between them will be resolved.

Another legend is from the Mahabharata. Bheeshma who was granted the boon of choosing his death time. Lying on a bed of arrows He chose to wait for the uttarayan. It is believed that whoever dies during this period attains salvation.

Makar Sankranti puja:

• • Check the Punya kaal muhurta and make sure all the idols and images are clean and placed on the altar.
  • Take a plate keep four black till and four white till laddoos in it along with some coins.
  • Keep some betel nuts and leaves. gangajal, flowers and incense sticks.
  • Keep this plate in front of an image of Lord Surya and chant Surya Mantra for 21 or 108 times.
  • Surya Mantra: Om Hram Hreem Hroum Sah Suryayay Namah.

Makar Sankranti Date and Muhurat 2020:

1.Makar Sankranti 2020 15 January

2. Sankranti Moment – 02:22 am (15 January 2020)

3. Punya Kaal – 07:19 am to 12:31 pm

4. Maha Punya Kaal – 07:19 to 09:03 am

5. Sankranti snan time – Morning, 15 January 2020

Wishing all our readers a Happy Makar Sankranti.

Also Read: What is Pongal? Some Amazing Facts About The Festival of Harvest