What is done on the day of makara sankranthi?
Makar Sankranti is a major harvest festival celebrated in
various parts of India. According to the lunar calendar, when the
sun moves from the Tropic of Cancer to the Tropic of Capricorn or
from Dakshinayana to Uttarayana, in the month of Poush in
mid-January, it commemorates the beginning of the harvest season
and cessation of the northeast monsoon in South India. The movement
of the earth from one zodiac sign into another is called Sankranti
and as the Sun moves into the Capricorn zodiac known as Makar in
Hindi, this occasion is named as Makar Sankranti in the Indian
context. It is one of the few Hindu Indian festivals which are
celebrated on a fixed date i.e. 14 January every year.
Makar Sankranti, apart from a harvest festival is also regarded
as the beginning of an auspicious phase in Indian culture. It is
said as the 'holy phase of transition'. It marks the end of an
inauspicious phase which according to the Hindu calendar begins
around mid-December. It is believed that any auspicious and sacred
ritual can be sanctified in any Hindu family, this day onwards.
Scientifically, this day marks the beginning of warmer and longer
days compared to the nights. In other words, Sankranti marks the
termination of winter season and beginning of a new harvest or
spring season.
All over the country, Makar Sankranti is observed with great
fanfare. However, it is celebrated with distinct names and rituals
in different parts of the country. In the states of northern and
western India, the festival is celebrated as the Sankranti day with
special zeal and fervor. The importance of this day has been
signified in the ancient epics like Mahabharata also. So, apart
from socio-geographical importance, this day also holds a
historical and religious significance. As it is the festival of Sun
God and he is regarded as the symbol divinity and wisdom, the
festival also holds an eternal meaning to it.
In 2011, Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on 14 January
2011.