Makar Sankranti, is a festival celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm all across India. It is primarily a harvest festival that is dedicated to Sun God. It marks the beginning of the spring season. ‘Makar’ refers to Capricorn sun sign and ‘Sakranti’ refers to transmission of the Sun from one zodiac to another. On the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti, Sun begins its journey towards the north direction and enter into the zodiac sign ‘Makar’ (Capricorn) from Tropic of Cancer. It is celebrated on the 14th of January every year. This is only because the transition of Capricorn takes place on the same date as per the solar calendar. This auspicious day holds special importance as on this day, the solar calendar measures the day and night both to be of equal length. After this festival, the days start getting longer and nights shorter.
What is the story behind Makar Sankranti?
As per Hindu mythology, on the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti, Lord ‘Surya Dev’ visits his son, Lord ‘Shani’, who is considered as the ruling god of Capricorn sun sign. It is a known fact that Lord ‘Shani’ and ‘Surya’ had a conflicting relationship and despite of this on Makar Sankranti, past bitterness is forgotten and new beginnings are made. It is said that if any father visits his son this day, all conflicts are resolved and happiness and prosperity spreads. According to ‘Geeta Saar’, the six months of ‘Uttarayan’ day time of gods are considered holy and people who die during this time attain salvation and go to ‘Krishna Lok’. On the contrary, those who die during the months of ‘Dakshyinayana’ known as the night time of gods, have to be reborn. This day is so auspicious that the wounded ‘Bhishma Pitamah’ left his mortal body and chose salvation or enlightenment. It is believed that those who die on this day will attain ‘Moksha’.
What items are required to perform the Makar Sankranti ‘Pooja’?
A picture or idol of Lord ‘Surya’, Flowers, Coconut, Lamp or ‘diya’, holy Ganga water, Betel leaves, nuts, ‘Akshata’ (mixture of rice and turmeric powder), ‘Prasad’ (any kind of sweet), sugarcane, ‘Baayana’(items distributed to married females).
What are the steps one can follow while doing ‘Makar Sankranti Pujan’?
On Makar Sankranti, Lord Surya (Sun) is revered and worshipped. The steps to worship Lord ‘Surya’ are as follows:
- Clean the house completely, especially the praying area.
- The person who will perform the ‘pooja’ should take oil bath early in the morning.
- The person should apply ‘tilak’ of rice flour and ‘roli’ on his forehead.
- Place the idol or Picture of Lord Shani on a platform in the praying room.
- Place ‘thaali’, in front of the idol of lord, which consist of ‘ghevar’, ‘til ladoos’ (both black and white, 4 each) and some money and offer the same to seek his blessings.
- Sprinkle rice and ‘roli’ on the ‘Baayna’ (things that one intends to donate).
- Worship the deity ‘Surya Dev’ by lighting the lamp and chanting ‘Surya mantra’ 12 times. The Surya Mantra: “Om Hram Hreem Hroum Sah Suryaya Namah”.
- After all the rituals are completed, one needs to distribute ‘Baayna’ to all the married ladies in the family and friends along with the priests.
What to donate on this festival?
On the day of Makar Sankranti festival, ‘Jaggery’ (Mollasses) and ‘Til’ (Sesame seeds) are exchanged and donated by most of the people. It is considered that sweets made up of Sesame seeds have ‘satvic’ elements. Most of the people also distribute utensils to the married females in their family and give charity. This day is considered to bring fortunes ina family which indulges in charitable activities and help the poor and needy.
