Makar Sankranti 2022: One of the most important holidays in India, Makar Sankranti is a day of immense importance for Hindus. It is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in the country. In the scriptures, the event is regarded auspicious for persistence, devotion, generosity, and sacrifice, among other virtues and attributes. Makar Sankranti, also known as Sankranti, is a Hindu festival devoted to Lord Surya (the Sun God), and it commemorates the sun’s passage into Makara (Capricorn) raashi (zodiac sign). In Hinduism, this festival is considered the most auspicious event of the year, and it is one of the few festivals that is synchronised with the solar year. It heralds the beginning of harvest season, a time when people worship new crops and enthusiastically share them with others.
Makar Sankranti Date And Timings
According to Drik Panchang, Makar Sankranti will occur on Friday, January 14, 2022, this year, which is a Friday. Additionally, the Makar Sankranti Punya Kala is open from 02:43 pm to 05:45 pm on the day of the festival. The total running time is 3 hours and 2 minutes. The Makar Sankranti Maha Punya Kala is open from 02:43 pm to 04:28 pm on Makar Sankranti. Last but not least, according to Drik Panchang, the Makara Sankranti moment is 02:43 pm.
Makar Sankranti Significance
Hindus see Makar Sankranti as a day of pleasure and wealth, and they celebrate it on November 1. Swimming in the Ganges on this day is considered to be fortunate, according to local legend. A homage is also paid to the Sun God, who is thanked for gifting us with his warm and bright beams by those who follow him in devotion.
Makar Sankranti History
Traditionally, the goddess Sankranti, after whom the festival is named, was a divinity who was believed to have destroyed a demon known as Sankarasur. The Devi assassinated the wicked Kinkarasur on the next day of Makar Sankranti, which was known as Karidin or Kinkrant.
This is also the time of year when the sun starts to migrate farther north. The sun shines brightly in the southern hemisphere just before Makar Sankranti. The Hindus consider this time to be auspicious, and it is referred to as Uttarayana or the Winter Solstice in their tradition. Bhishma Pitamah, according to the Mahabharata, had waited for the sun to be in Uttarayana before he could welcome his death.
Makar Sankranti Celebrations
Sankranti celebrations often span two to four days in most parts of the world. During the occasion, people offer prayers to the Sun God. They also take a holy plunge in sacred water sources, practise charity by offering alms to the poor, fly kites, produce sweets made of sesame and jaggery, worship cattle, and engage in a variety of other activities and traditions.
Additionally, Khichdi is prepared and eaten during this occasion, particularly in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand. Moreover, This is the reason why Makar Sankranti is sometimes referred to as Khichdi in certain circles. In Gorakhpur, it is common for worshippers to make offerings to the Gorakhnath temple, which is known as Khichdi. Lohri is celebrated one day before Makar Sankranti in the Indian states of Haryana, Punjab, and Delhi.