Makar Sankranti, one of the most widely celebrated festivals in India, marks the transition of the Sun into Capricorn (‘Makara’) and the northward journey (‘Uttarayana’) of the Sun. Celebrated annually around January 14th (January 15th in leap years), this festival is a harmonious blend of spirituality, agriculture, and cultural festivities. Let’s explore the significance, stories, and ways in which Makar Sankranti is celebrated across the country.
The Significance of Makar Sankranti
The festival of Makar Sankranti symbolizes a fresh start, marking the end of the winter solstice and the onset of longer, warmer days. It is an occasion to thank the Sun God (‘Surya’) for a bountiful harvest and to seek blessings for future prosperity. The Sun’s transition into Capricorn is considered highly auspicious, as it signifies a period of increased positivity and growth. This day is also believed to be a time when nature and the human spirit are in perfect harmony, encouraging individuals to reflect on their goals and renew their commitments to personal and communal growth.
In Hindu mythology, Makar Sankranti is seen as a period where the deities awaken after a six-month-long slumber. This is why many important religious rituals and pilgrimages, such as taking a holy dip in rivers like the Ganges, are observed during this time. These practices are believed to cleanse sins and help devotees attain spiritual merit.
On a societal level, Makar Sankranti is a time for families and communities to come together, share meals, and exchange gifts, fostering a sense of unity and mutual respect. The festival emphasizes the importance of charity (‘daan’) and helping those in need, with many people donating food, clothes, and money to the less fortunate.
Geographic Significance
Makar Sankranti is celebrated across India and neighboring countries like Nepal, often under different names and customs. This geographic spread reflects the festival’s importance as a marker of the agricultural cycle, particularly the harvest season.
In northern India, especially in Punjab and Haryana, Makar Sankranti marks the harvesting of the rabi crops, and the festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm. The festival is known as Lohri in these states, where bonfires are lit, and people sing and dance around them to express gratitude for the harvest.
In Gujarat, the festival is called Uttarayana, and it is famous for its kite-flying tradition. The skies come alive with colorful kites, symbolizing the joy and freedom that comes with the end of the winter season. Similarly, in Maharashtra, people celebrate by distributing til-gud (sesame and jaggery) sweets, symbolizing the importance of warmth and togetherness.
In the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, the festival takes on a unique flavor with the celebration of Pongal. This is a multi-day festival where people boil fresh rice with milk and jaggery, allowing it to overflow as a symbol of abundance and prosperity.
In eastern India, particularly in West Bengal, the festival is known as Poush Sankranti. Devotees take a holy dip in the Ganges and offer prayers to the Sun God. Traditional sweets like ‘pithe’ and ‘payesh’ are prepared, highlighting the culinary diversity of the region.
In Nepal, the festival is celebrated as Maghe Sankranti, with people feasting on traditional foods like sesame seeds, yams, and molasses. The festival has a strong communal aspect, with families coming together to share meals and participate in cultural events.
The Agricultural Connection
Makar Sankranti is deeply rooted in India’s agrarian traditions. The festival signifies the completion of the winter harvest and the preparation for the next sowing season. Farmers express gratitude to nature, the Sun, and cattle, which are essential for their livelihoods. Cattle, in particular, are bathed, adorned, and worshipped as a mark of respect for their hard work in plowing the fields.
The timing of Makar Sankranti aligns with the harvesting of crops like wheat, sugarcane, and rice. In rural communities, the festival is an occasion to celebrate the fruits of hard labor and to pray for continued agricultural prosperity. Rituals such as cooking fresh rice, making sweets from freshly harvested sugarcane and jaggery, and preparing sesame-based delicacies are common across different regions.
The festival also highlights the symbiotic relationship between humans and animals in agriculture. In Tamil Nadu, for instance, the second day of Pongal, known as Mattu Pongal, is dedicated to cattle. Farmers worship their cows and bulls, decorate them with garlands, and offer them special food as a token of gratitude.
Mythologies and Stories Around Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti is steeped in fascinating myths and legends. Here are four prominent stories associated with this festival:
- The Legend of Bhishma: According to the Mahabharata, Bhishma Pitamah, the grand patriarch of the Kuru dynasty, had the boon of choosing his time of death. After being grievously wounded in the Kurukshetra war, Bhishma lay on a bed of arrows, waiting for an auspicious moment to leave his mortal body. He chose Makar Sankranti, believing it to be the most sacred time. This legend has led to the belief that those who pass away on Makar Sankranti attain Moksha (salvation). It highlights the festival’s association with liberation and the spiritual significance of aligning one’s journey with cosmic events.
- The Victory of Surya Over Shani: The story of the strained relationship between Surya (the Sun God) and his son Shani (Saturn) is another popular legend. Shani’s mother, Chhaya, felt that her husband Surya favored his other wife, Sandhya, more than her. This led to a distance between Surya and Shani. On Makar Sankranti, however, Surya visited Shani’s home, symbolizing reconciliation and harmony. This act is seen as a reminder of the importance of resolving conflicts, mending broken relationships, and fostering familial harmony during the festival.
- The Story of Satyabhama and Narakasura: In this tale, Narakasura, a demon king, wreaked havoc on Earth and the heavens, kidnapping women and causing widespread fear. Unable to bear the atrocities, the gods sought the help of Lord Krishna. With the assistance of his consort, Satyabhama, Krishna defeated Narakasura on Makar Sankranti. This victory is symbolic of the triumph of good over evil, and the festival commemorates the restoration of peace and righteousness. In some regions, this story is celebrated with fireworks and symbolic re-enactments of the demon’s defeat.
- The Tale of King Bhagiratha: King Bhagiratha is credited with bringing the holy river Ganga from the heavens to Earth to purify the ashes of his ancestors and grant them salvation. According to legend, Ganga’s descent to Earth was a monumental event, and her arrival is commemorated during Makar Sankranti. Devotees take a holy dip in the Ganges and other sacred rivers on this day, believing that the water washes away their sins and grants spiritual purification. This story underscores the festival’s spiritual connection to water and its role in sanctifying human life.
- The Legend of Lord Vishnu and the Demons: Another significant myth revolves around Lord Vishnu’s role in the eradication of Asuras (demons). According to the legend, Lord Vishnu decapitated the Asuras and buried their heads under the Mandara mountain on Makar Sankranti. This act marked the end of negativity and the beginning of an era of peace and prosperity. The story is symbolic of overcoming internal and external darkness, making it a central theme of the festival.
- The Journey of Surya to the Northern Hemisphere: In Vedic astrology, the Sun’s northward journey (‘Uttarayana’) is seen as a period of increased energy and vitality. The Sun God Surya’s transition into Capricorn is believed to signal the start of a prosperous phase. This story highlights the cosmic significance of Makar Sankranti and its role in aligning human activities with celestial movements.
Celebrations Across India
Makar Sankranti is celebrated under various regional names and with diverse customs:
- Andhra Pradesh & Telangana: Known as ‘Sankranthi’ or ‘Pedda Panduga,’ it’s a three-day festival featuring cattle decoration, rangoli, and traditional sweets like ‘Ariselu.’ People also fly kites and organize community feasts.
- Tamil Nadu: The four-day Pongal festival involves cooking ‘Pongal’ rice, worshipping cattle, and offering prayers to the Sun God. Homes are decorated with ‘kolam’ (rangoli), and people exchange gifts and sweets.
- Punjab & Haryana: Celebrated as Lohri, the night before Makar Sankranti involves bonfires, folk dances, and the distribution of til (sesame) and jaggery. The bonfire ritual represents the burning of old negativity and the welcoming of new beginnings.
- Gujarat: Uttarayana is synonymous with kite flying, symbolizing freedom and joy. The skies are filled with vibrant kites, and families gather on terraces to celebrate. Special foods like ‘undhiyu’ and ‘jalebi’ are prepared.
- Assam: Magh Bihu involves feasting, bonfires, and games. Traditional dishes made from rice and sesame seeds are prepared, and people engage in community sports and cultural performances.
- West Bengal: Poush Sankranti marks the preparation of sweet dishes like ‘Pithe’ and ‘Payesh,’ along with ritualistic Ganga baths. The festival is a time for family gatherings and sharing homemade delicacies.
- Kerala: At Sabarimala, the ‘Makara Vilakku’ ritual is a significant event, drawing thousands of devotees. The festival marks the end of the pilgrimage season and is celebrated with great fervor.
- Bihar & Jharkhand: People prepare ‘Dahi-Chura’ (curd and flattened rice) and sweets made from til and jaggery. The festival is a time for family bonding and thanksgiving.
Lastly
Makar Sankranti is a festival that beautifully encapsulates India’s cultural diversity and agrarian roots. It’s a day of gratitude, celebration, and spiritual reflection. Whether it’s flying kites in Gujarat, lighting bonfires in Punjab, or cooking traditional delicacies in Tamil Nadu, the essence of Makar Sankranti lies in its universal message of renewal, gratitude, and hope for prosperity.
