Makar Sankranti 2024: Understand the significance of this day. Vedic astrology teacher explains

Makar Sankranti is a joyful Indian festival celebrated in mid-January. This year Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on 15th January. Makar Sankranti is considered a harvest festival and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and different traditions in different regions of India.

Why we celebrate Makar Sankranti

According to Vedic astrology teacher and counsellor, Bani Singh Chadha, we celebrate Makar Sankranti because on this day the Sun changes its zodiac sign to Capricorn or Makar.

Makar Sankranti is also called Uttarayana - the day on which the Sun begins his northward journey- a 6 month period of auspiciousness.

This transit of the Sun is extremely important in Jyotish as the Sun visits his son - Saturn

According to our scriptures, the 6 month period of Uttarayan is a single day for the Gods. The 6 months of Dakshinayan (the southward journey of the Sun) are a single night of the Gods!

What one must do on Makar Sankranti

• Wake up early in the morning
• Offer water to the Sun
• Add jaggery & kumkum to the water
• Do Sun salutations
• Listen to the Aditya Hrudayam Stotra
• Donate blankets, warm clothes, jaggery,
  sesame seeds, dry khichadi
• Feed and donate to Brahmins
• Take a dip in holy waters

Makar Sankranti brings a sense of community

People across India come together to fly colourful kites and enjoy traditional sweets made from sesame seeds and jaggery. It signifies the end of winter and the beginning of longer days, symbolizing new beginnings and the harvest season. Families gather on rooftops, relishing the warmth of the sun and the thrill of kite flying. Makar Sankranti brings a sense of community, happiness, and the promise of brighter days ahead.

In Tamil Nadu, the Pongal dish, made with newly harvested rice, is a central part of the celebrations. In other parts of India, sesame seeds and jaggery sweets are also commonly prepared during Makar Sankranti.

It is known by different names such as Poush Parbon in West Bengal and Maghi in Punjab.

Also watch: Atta Pinni recipe: How to make this delicious Punjabi sweet dish at home