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Makar Sankranti is one of the most worshipped harvest festivals in India. It is celebrated in January just a day after the Lohri celebration. On this auspicious day, people worship the Sun God and thank him for his blessings and farmers pray for good harvest. Many rituals are followed on this day, people fly kites, prepare sweets, and engage in charitable activities like distributing food especially an Indian dish called Khichdi. If you seek detailed information about the Makar Sankranti Festival 2024, then stay tuned and continue reading!
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When is Makar Sankranti Celebrated?
This year, there is a huge chaos among the devotees about the date of Makar Sankranti. People are wondering Is Makar Sankranti on 14 or 15 Januray this year? Here is the answer to end the confusion. Sankranti is on 15 January 2024.
Indians believe that Makar Sankranti is the most special day of the year and it is celebrated with utmost reverence all over the country. This festival is celebrated to mark the sun’s transition from the zodiac of Sagittarius to Capricorn (Makar Rashi). Hence, this festival gets its name from the zodiac sign Capricorn.
If we look at the previous year’s calendar, Makar Sankranti falls on 14 January every year but this year is marked with an extra day in February i.e. it is a leap year, so Sankrant will be celebrated on 15 January. Therefore, the change in the date of Sankranti is due to the planetary shift.
According to Drik Panchang, the Punya Kala will start at 7:15 AM and will end at 5:46 PM. The Maha Punya Kala will start at 7:15 AM and will end at 9 AM on 15 January 2024.
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Makar Sankranti is Celebrated in which State?
It is celebrated in different states of India with different customs and traditions as per their geographic region and religious beliefs. Everyone worships the Sun God decorates their house and nearby areas, and makes sweets with sesame seeds and jaggery.
This festival is celebrated as Sakrat in Delhi and Haryana, Sakraat in Rajasthan, Sukarat in Madhya Pradesh, Suggi Hubba in Karnataka, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Shishur Saenkraat in Kashmir, Magh Bihu in Assam, Ghughuti in Uttrakhand, Maghi in Punjab, Uttarayan in Gujarat etc.
This winter harvest festival brings happiness and prosperity in the lives of the people as farmers pray for a high-quality yield of their crops.
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Story of Makar Sankranti Festival
As per Hindu mythology, the story of Sankranti reveals that on the day of Makar Sankranti, a Hindu deity Sankranti killed the Sankarasur demon.
Hindus also believe that people who die on this auspicious day will directly go to heaven. The day is also known as Karidin or Kinkrant because Devi killed the villain Kinkarasur.
Sankrat is the day that marks the transition of the sun to Capricorn and it also marks the end of the winter season as the sun starts its northward journey. From Makar Sankranti, longer days will begin in India.
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Significance
Makar Sankranti is the harvest festival dedicated to worshipping the Sun God and this festival marks the transition of the sun into Makar Rashi. It is celebrated on 15 January in different states of India. People follow variable customs and traditions to celebrate this festival with huge pomp and happiness. This festival marks the end of winter solstice and the beginning of longer days. Framers pray to the Sun for healthy and high-quality yield for the harvesting season.
Many people also worship livestock as they also play a crucial role in crop production and harvest. People make sweets using sesame seeds and jaggery, are involved in charitable activities and wish each other good wealth and prosperity.
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FAQs
Makar Sankranti is celebrated to mark the end of winter season and the beginning of longer days. It is celebrated to worship the Sun God and to pray for a good harvest. It marks the transition of the sun in the zodiac sign Capricorn.
This year Sankranti is on 15 January due to the transition of sun in Makar Rashi.
It is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm. People worship livestock and the Sun God, make sweets with sesame seeds, distribute food, and are involved in charitable activities. This festival is celebrated across different states of the country with variable names and traditions.
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