After everyone celebrates Lohri on January 13th, they get ready with energy and enthusiasm for the other festival, Makar Sankranti. This immensely popular Indian festival is more significant as devotees celebrate it in honor of Surya Dev, or the Sun God.
It is called Makar Sankranti as the Sun God transits to the zodiac Capricorn or Makar. The translation of the word Capricorn is Makar, and Sankranti means transition. It is the harvest festival and indicates the beginning of longer days and shorter nights. It also signifies the beginning of the new season. Now, let us shed some light on its date and the rituals, traditions, celebrations, and cultural significance.
When is Makar Sankranti 2025? Date and Day
Every year, Makar Sankranti falls in January. This year, the celebrations will happen on Tuesday, January 14th, 2025. The Makar Sankranti Punya Kaal timing is between 9:03 AM and 5:46 PM. This significant festival indicates positivity, hope, and good energy. Just like the new harvest, it’s time to make a new start and forget all the grudges by forgiving others.
What are the Rituals, Traditions, and Cultural Significance of Makar Sankranti?
This festival is associated with many rituals and traditions, and people follow them with greater devotion. Many people believe that it is the time to start new ventures, offer prayers to the Sun God, and seek blessings. On this auspicious day, some people take a dip in the holy rivers Ganga, Godavari, and Yamuna, which they believe purify their souls and wash away all their sins. They also visit temples and offer prayers to deity.
As per the best astrologer, it is considered auspicious to donate food like Khichdi and clothes like blankets to people in need on this day.
Celebrations of Makar Sankranti
People celebrate this festival in many unique ways. They fly kites, and there are colorful and vibrant kites everywhere in the sky. People also prepare jaggery and sesame seeds items and distribute them among their family, friends and loved ones. In some parts of the nation, people also arrange bonfires, sing folk songs, and dance to their tunes.
This festival is known by different names in different states in India. These include Pongal (Tamil Nadu), Sankrat (Rajasthan), Uttarayan (Gujarat), Kicheri (Uttar Pradesh), Magh Bihu (Assam), and Poush Sankranti (West Bengal).
We wish everyone a Happy Makar Sankranti! May this festival mark new beginnings, bring happiness and prosperity, and eradicate all worries from everyone’s life!
