Makar Sankranti, celebrated every year in mid-January, is one of India’s most cherished festivals. It marks the end of winter and the beginning of longer, warmer days. While rooted in ancient traditions, Makar Sankranti remains a festival of joy, unity, and prosperity. With its astronomical, cultural, and agricultural significance, the festival celebrates the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn, or Makar in Hindi, bringing with it auspicious changes in the climate and agricultural cycles.
Historical Significance of Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti has a rich historical background, celebrated for thousands of years and referenced in various Hindu scriptures. Unlike many Indian festivals based on the lunar calendar, Makar Sankranti follows the solar calendar and usually falls on January 14 each year. This date represents the sun’s transition into Makara Rashi (Capricorn), marking the day when the sun begins its northward journey, known as Uttarayana in Sanskrit. This shift signifies an end to the winter solstice and heralds the arrival of spring and the start of the harvest season.
In Hindu mythology, this transition of the sun is highly significant. According to the Mahabharata, the revered warrior Bhishma Pitamah chose to leave his mortal body during the period of Uttarayana, believing it an auspicious time for the soul’s journey toward liberation. The Bhagavad Gita also references the Uttarayana as a time favored by those seeking moksha, or liberation.
Makar Sankranti also has agricultural importance. Falling at the peak of the harvest season, it is a time when farmers celebrate and offer gratitude for their bounty, symbolizing prosperity and the hopes of a fruitful year ahead. In agrarian societies, the festival represents not only the harvest but also the end of the financial year and the beginning of new cycles of sowing and cultivation.
Modern-Day Celebrations of Makar Sankranti
In modern times, Makar Sankranti is celebrated across India in various forms, reflecting the diversity and unity of the country’s cultural traditions. From kite flying and bonfires to vibrant fairs, the celebrations are joyous and community-driven, bringing people together in a spirit of festivity and goodwill.
One of the most iconic Makar Sankranti traditions is kite flying, particularly in states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan. On this day, the sky becomes a canvas of colorful kites of all shapes and sizes. Families, friends, and neighbors gather on rooftops, competing with one another in friendly kite battles, a practice that has become synonymous with Makar Sankranti in many parts of India.
In Punjab, the festival is known as Lohri, and it is celebrated with bonfires, dancing, and music, marking the end of winter. Farmers celebrate their successful harvest, singing folk songs and sharing traditional foods like til (sesame), jaggery, and peanuts around the fire. In Tamil Nadu, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Pongal, a four-day festival of thanksgiving to the sun god, rain gods, and the livestock that support agriculture. Special dishes, especially sweet rice called Pongal, are prepared and offered in gratitude.
In Maharashtra, people celebrate by exchanging sweets made of sesame seeds and jaggery, such as tilgul and ladoos, with the saying, “Tilgul ghya, aani goad goad bola” (Take the tilgul and speak sweetly). This exchange reflects a message of kindness, friendship, and reconciliation, encouraging people to let go of past grievances and begin anew.
The holy city of Varanasi, as well as places along the Ganges River like Haridwar and Allahabad, sees a large gathering of pilgrims who take ritualistic baths in the river, as it is believed that this purifies the soul and washes away sins. Makar Sankranti is one of the auspicious days of the Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years, where millions gather to bathe in sacred rivers.
The Spirit of Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti, while traditionally linked to Hindu customs, has become a celebration of unity, community, and the shared joy of seasonal transition. It is a festival that transcends religious boundaries, bringing people of all backgrounds together. With its colorful kites, traditional sweets, and family gatherings, Makar Sankranti celebrates hope, prosperity, and new beginnings. Whether celebrated as Lohri, Pongal, or Uttarayan, Makar Sankranti is a time to embrace change, celebrate abundance, and look forward to the warmth and growth that the coming months will bring.
