Makar Sankranti 2024: A Harvest Festival Of Gratitude, Ritual And Fun!

Makar Sankranti 2024: Date and Time

In a way, the Makar Sankranti festival is dedicated to the fresh harvest of the season. People across the country pay their respect to Mother Earth and it is celebrated with different names in various parts of India. It falls on the Lunar month of Magha, corresponding with the month of January. It usually falls on the same date 14th or 15th every year. Except for a few years where the date may shift by a day!

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Makar Sankranti, this year will be on the Monday, 15th of January 2024.

Signficance Of Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is the day dedicated to Lord Sun. It is said that on the Makar Sankranti day, Lord Sun had gone to visit his son Saturn (ruling planet of Capricorn). He kept aside their past differences and went to meet him. Hence,  it is believed that since their conflicts are resolved and relationships are improved, the auspicious time begins.

Also Read: Sun And Saturn’s Conjunction In Capricorn Sign

Astrologically during Sankranti, Sun moves from Sagitarrius to Capricorn and stays there for one month. Overall, the Sun move to every zodiac sign in a year and remains in every sign for one month. However, the transit during Makar Sankranti is considered the most auspicious. In fact, Makar Sankranti 2024 will have special significance since Sun and Saturn are going to meet after almost thirty years through the Sun transit in Capricorn.

Also Read: Sun Transit in Capricorn: Rendezvous Of Sun With Enemy Saturn

The period of the Sankranti festival has immense importance for sages and yogis. It is an auspicious day for fresh beginnings in the spiritual journey. In general, also, people consider it the best day for a new beginning and let go of the bitter past.  Overall, Makar Sankranti is more than just a festival.

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Makar Sankranti Religious Rituals

During Makar Sankranti, people take a dip in the holy water of rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, and Godavari, as it is believed this could result in merit or absolution of past sins.

Along with worshipping Lord Sun by doing Surya Puja and Lord Shani, Gayatri Mantra and Surya Mantra are chanted as the festival is afflicted with Lord Sun and Lord Shani.

Is Shani giving you hard time? Book Shani Grah Shanti Puja for minimizing hardships.

Other Harvest Festivals

Harvest Festivals are an integral part of Indian culture. There are many harvest festivals in India and believed to be the oldest festivals all over the map. A harvest festival is to thank nature for the abundance shared. Each state has its own harvest festival. Below is the list of important harvest festivals.

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Delicious Food and Kite Flying During Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is incomplete without delicious food and kite flying. In fact, each state has its own signature dish. In Gujarat, undhiyu is prepared; while in West Bengal, Pathishapta, Pithe Puli and Payesh are the main delicacy on this day. In Punjab, Pinni is made whereas in Tamil Nadu; traditional Sakkararai Pongal is prepared on the day of Pongal. Lastly, the Til ladoo and chikkis are consumed in most of the states of India on Makar Sankranti. Hence, the list goes on and on when it comes to food varieties on this auspicious day.

During Makar Sankranti, kite flying is a traditional activity, in which people of every age engage enthusiastically. Although kite flying is popular all over India, Gujarat and Rajasthan top the list.

Another thing organised during Makar Sankranti is melas. Melas are held at various places during this auspicious day. However, the one with utmost significance is the Kumbh Mela which is held once in 12 years at holy places across India.

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Wrapping Up

Makar Sankranti festival shows us the spirit of leaving behind the differences and looking forward to new journeys of life. Let’s all do the same and work towards new beginnings.

Wish you and your family a Happy Makar Sankranti. May you have a fun-filled, prosperous, and auspicious Makar Sankranti!

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