Makar Sankranti – 5 things to Celebrate the Transformation

What is Makar Sankranti?

Makar Sankranti is an ancient Hindu festival known to be celebrated for more than 2000 years. It is celebrated according to the solar calendar, unlike the other Hindu festivals which are celebrated according to the lunar calendar. On this day the Sun enters the Capricon – Makar (The Indian zodiac sign) The day marks the end of Winter and the beginning of Summer meaning the transit of the Sun. It’s a transformation of Weather!

• Transformation of the Sun

• The Sun changes its direction from this day in the month of January

• With this change, the direction of the wind also changes

• Winter is gone and Summer starts

Makar Sankrati in Parts of India

The Indian festival is celebrated all over the country with the following names:

1. South India: Pongal or Makar Sankranti which is mainly a harvest festival

2. North India:  Lohri which is celebrated a bonfire to mark the end of winter

3. East India: Uttarayan, which is celebrated by flying kites

4. West India: Maghi which is celebrated by bonfires, cow fighting, and making merry

In most places almost all rituals are common and this is why we are proud of our country which fairs Unity in Diversity.

The other popular names are:

• Sankranti in Karnataka, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh

• Khichdi in some coastal regions of India

• Poush Sankranti in Western India.

When is Makara Sankranti celebrated?

It is celebrated on the 14th or 15th day of January month every year. This is when the Sun enters Capricorn (Makar Rashi)

5 things to celebrate the transformation

Though harvesting is the main reason to celebrate Sankranti, there are other ways in which the transformation is celebrated

1. Suryanamaskar

To welcome the change in the Sun, people perform Suryanamaskar. It is a yoga series that exercises the whole body with 12 different postures called asanas. This is also performed by offering a prayer to the Sun god. It is very important to teach kids to do these yoga asanas which will keep the body fit and enhance growth appropriately

It is a special occasion to gift. In Northern India, brothers gift their sister’s family warm clothing. In Southern India, people give away various gifts along with a special mixture of sesame seeds and Jaggery. It is an occasion to gift loved ones cleverly. Some people also gift books during this festival as it is a means to spread knowledge

3. Special Foods and talking good words

Sesame seeds (Til) and Jaggery are the main ingredients in every region that is used to cook savories for this festival as Sesame keeps the body warm during winters. Try our Oats Sesame Bar and Dry fruits Laddu during this festival.

Pongal is one rice dish that is served in South India on this day and is made from a fresh harvest

Also, Til and Jaggery are used to make a mixture called Ellu Bella which is distributed amongst families, and while eating these people speak good words which is a form of transformation from bad to good forgetting all the evil. It is popularly said, “ellu bella tindu olle maatadi” or “Til gul ghya ani gud gud bola” which means talk good words by eating til and jaggery.

4. Flying Kites

Flying Kites is a tradition followed on Sankranti which scientifically exposes the body to sunlight for long hours. This is to get the body adjusted to the Sun after the long winter colds.

• The initial rays of the sun are rich in Vitamin D

• Sun Exposure nurtures the skin to adapt to summer

5. The New Crop

A reason to celebrate is also the first harvest that comes at the end of winter. The crop is all decorated and worshipped before it is used to cook the dishes for the day

It is also a form of paying respect to mother earth for giving us a good crop on which life is dependent throughout the year.

Wish you all a very Happy Sankranti. Let’s make this a colorful and sweet festival. 

Video: Makar Sankranti – 5 things to Celebrate the Transformation

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