Makar Sankranti: Significance and Importance

Falling every year on the 14th of January, Makar Sankranti is a harvest festival and is celebrated all over India with great joy and devotion. It is a Hindu festival, and Lord Sun is worshiped on this day.

Makar Sankranti has different names in different zones of the country like Makar Sankranti in North, Pongal in South, and Maghi in Punjab. People take a dip in the holy water like river Ganges, Ganga Sagar, and Prayag.

On this day, Lord Sun is said to be in control over the Northern Hemisphere. As Hindus worship the Sun, which is the source of all kinds of energy present in this world, it is a belief that Sun provides wisdom and strength as all the positivity comes from the Sun.

People distribute “Khichadi,” a dish made from rice & green pulses, and also give it as the charity to the poor.

In Gujarat, after worshiping people fly kites and present their colorful prayers to their deity. The sky becomes so colorful with thousands of kites flying all over. People compete with each other, and the environment becomes cheerful and pleasant. It motivates them to rise higher and higher towards the most desirable brightness.

Tamil people celebrate this day as Pongal. In the south, it becomes a three-day celebration. A unique “Pongal Dish” is made with rice, and lord Sun is worshiped. It is celebrated with great joy and fervor all over the country.