Happy Makar Sankranti, Why do we celebrate it? Know all about the Tithi, history and importance!

By Spreadit English On Jan 14, 2022

We wish all our readers a very Happy Makar Sankranti, Magh Bihu, Uttarayan, Pongal! Isn’t it amusing that this one festival in India is known by so many names?

Makar Sankranti is a Hindu festival that is considered auspicious for worship and sacrifice in the scriptures. This festival is dedicated to the Sun God as it marks the transit into Makara Rashi. It is one of the most unique festivals as it aligns with the solar cycle. It is popularly known for the harvest season where people worship new crops and celebrate them.

Tithi and Timings

This year Makar Sankranti’s tithi begins from 2.43 pm to 5.45 pm. The duration is 3 hours, 2 mins. This timing is as per the Drik Panchang.

Importance of Makar Sankranti

This festival is a day of joy and prosperity for Hindus. It is believed that taking a bath in the Ganga River on this day is auspicious. Devotees also pay their tributes to the Sun God and express their gratitude and thank him for blessing everyone with his glowing rays.

According to history, it is believed that Sankranti was a deity who killed a demon called Sankarasur. On the day of Makar Sankranti, the Devi killed the villain Kinkarasur. It was also the time when the sun start to move north. Before Makar Sankranti, the sun shines on the southern hemisphere. This festival is also called Uttarayana or Winter Solstice. According to the legendary Mahabharata, Bhisma Pitamah was waiting for the sun to be in Uttarayana as he breathed his last.

Makar Sankranti Celebrations

In most parts of India, the celebration goes on for 2 to 4 days. In Gujarat, people fly kites, Hindus across the country prepare sweets made of gud and cheeni, worship their livestock etc. people in Eastern UP, Bihar and Jharkhand prepare Khichdi today hence this festival is also known as Khichdi too. Lohri is celebrated a day before Makar Sankranti.

So, what are you doing this Makar Sankranti? Let us know in the comments below!

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