Significance of Makar Sankranti (Makar Sankranti 2024)
Makar Sankranti is one of the major Hindu festivals that is celebrated across the country. According to religious beliefs, the Sun planet enters the house of Saturn (Capricorn, ruled by Saturn) from Sagittarius for a month; this auspicious yoga is called ‘Makar Sankranti’. From this day on, the days start getting longer while the nights start getting shorter. On this day, the day and night become equal, marking the arrival of spring. It is included in those few festivals that are celebrated according to the solar cycle instead of the lunar cycle. The significance of this festival shows the dedication of Hindus to the sun and other natural resources. This festival is celebrated as a thanksgiving for all the natural phenomena that are essential to our lives. People worship and pay homage to God Surya for making their lives prosperous and achieving success. The grace of God, Surya, is such that it removes all obstacles in your life and makes your life hassle-free. The religious significance of Makar Sankranti is also related to its astrological significance.
It is believed that the festival of Makar Sankranti is considered to be the most important day for sages and yogis to initiate something new in their spiritual journey. Commoners also consider Makar Sankranti as the day of the beginning of new times and leaving behind the bad and terrible memories of the past. Another significant aspect of this day is that, on this auspicious day, the sun changes from Dakshinayan to Uttarayan. This position of the sun is considered to be very auspicious from a religious point of view. On this day, Surya, along with his son Shani Dev, leaves all the issues behind and comes to meet him at his house. Thus, the day of Makar Sankranti is associated with happiness and prosperity.
Astrological significance (Makar Sankranti Festival 2024)
According to astrologers and almanacs, the Makar Sankranti festival 2024 is going to be very special, as during this period there will occur a very rare astrological phenomenon: three planets (Sun, Saturn, and Mercury) will come together in Capricorn after a 30-year-long wait. This combination of planets will certainly have a significant impact on our lives. The presence of two opposite planets in the same zodiac sign is considered one of the biggest events according to Hindu astrology, as these planets come together very rarely, but when they do, there is a possibility of something big happening! In astrology, this phenomenon is known as a stellium.
When is Makar Sankranti 2024?
Every year, the festival of Makar Sankranti is celebrated on the fifth day of Shukla Paksha in Pausha month. According to astrologers, this year, the festival of Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on January 15, Monday.
The auspicious time (Shubh Muhurat) of this day to be considered for rituals and puja:
Makar Sankranti: 15 January 2024, Monday
Makar Sankranti Punyakaal: 07:15 AM to 06:21 PM (duration: 11 hours, 6 minutes)
Makar Sankranti Mahapunya Kaal: 07:15 AM to 09:06 AM (duration: 1 hour, 51 minutes)
Rituals and beliefs
It is a common belief that bathing in Ganga and making donations on this day have special significance. Bathing in Ganga on this day frees one from sins, and whatever charity is done on this day, the person gets double of it in return. Also, it is believed that, apart from Pitru Paksha, on the day of Makar Sankranti, offerings are made for the peace of the ancestors’ souls. The significance of this day has also been mentioned in many Hindu scriptures.
Makar Sankranti puja method
Let us know about the way of worshiping Makar Sankranti.
1. First of all, get up early in the morning and clean up yourself.
2. Then take a bath in a nearby holy river; if not able to do so, one can take a bath at home by mixing Ganga water in it. Take Aachman and purify yourself.
3. Preferably wear yellow clothes and offer prayers to the Sun God, read Surya Chalisa, and recite the Aditya Hridaya Stotra.
4. Finally, perform Aarti and donate.
Donations to make according to the zodiac sign on Makar Sankranti 2024
Charity has special significance on this day. On the day of Makar Sankranti, sesame or things made from it should be donated to a needy or helpless person. It is believed that on this day, Shanidev used black sesame seeds to worship his father, Surya Dev. Being pleased with this, Lord Surya gave Shani a boon, saying that whoever donates sesame seeds on this day will have all his wishes fulfilled. Apart from this, donating sesame seeds is also helpful in removing Shanidosh. On the day of Makar Sankranti, people of the Aquarius and Capricorn zodiac signs must donate black sesame seeds. People of the Aries, Libra, Leo, and Gemini zodiac signs should donate blankets this year to remove the inauspicious effects of Rahu. Donating rice and fruits will be very beneficial for the people of Scorpio, Sagittarius, and Pisces. If you are a person of Taurus and Virgo zodiac signs, then you can donate clothes to a needy person. Also, people of the Cancer zodiac sign must donate milk or ghee.
What you will get in Makar Sankranti 2024
According to the Hindu calendar, there are a total of 12 Sankranti in one solar year, and each has its own result. But the fruits obtained on Makar Sankranti have special significance. Let us know the outcome of Makar Sankranti 2024.
This year’s Makar Sankranti will prove very fruitful to scholars and educated people.
The cost of goods may get reduced this Sankranti, which is a good benefit to traders and businessmen, but they will also experience some kind of fear and anxiety during this period.
The overall health of people would be good.
It is also predicted that the international sourness and tensions occurring currently may come to an end.
There will be no shortage of grains throughout the year.
How is it celebrated across different parts of the country?
India is a country of festivals. Makar Sankranti, being one of the major ones, is celebrated with a lot of decorations. People wear new clothes and taste home-made delicacies made of jaggery and sesame seeds. Khichdi is also eaten in some parts of India.
Pongal in Tamil Nadu: In Tamil Nadu, this festival is celebrated as Pongal with great enthusiasm, and people eat boiled rice with fresh milk and jaggery.
Uttarayan in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat: In these states, Makar Sankranti is known as Uttarayan and is celebrated as a grand festival. Kite flying or kite festivals are the main attractions of this day. The sky is filled with colorful kites to welcome Makar Sankranti.
Makar Sankranti in Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Bihar: Here, people take a dip in rivers and ponds and enjoy seasonal delicacies as a celebration of a good harvest. Dishes include chura, sweets made from sesame seeds, etc. Also, a kite festival is celebrated here.
Pedda Panduga in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh: In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Makar Sankranti is celebrated for four days. The day before Makar Sankranti is known as Bhogi. On this day, get rid of old things and burn them in bonfires. The next day is the major day known as Pedda Panduga, when people wear new and colorful clothes and offer prayers and traditional food to the deities as well as their ancestors.
Makaravilakku festival in Kerala: In Kerala, this festival is known as Makaravilakku. The hills of Sabarimala are decorated only three times a year, and Makar Sankranti is one of those three days. Thousands of people come from different places to see the festival of lights held on the hills of Sabarimala. This day is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm in Kerala.
On this New Year and on the bright festival day of Makar Sankranti, let us look at the brighter side of life with new hopes and celebrate this festival with devotion, enthusiasm, and zeal. Best wishes to all of you on Makar Sankranti.
