Know why Makara Sankranti is celebrated

New Delhi: Makara Sankranti is one of the most auspicious occasions for the Hindus, and is celebrated in almost all parts of India and Nepal in a myriad of cultural forms, with great devotion, fervour, and gaiety. It is a harvest festival. (VIEW PICS)Makara means Capricorn Zodiac Sign and Sankranti means transition of the Sun from one zodiac sign to another. Thus Makar Sankranti is the day that marks the transition of the Sun into Makara rashi (Capricorn) on its celestial path. The day is also believed to mark the arrival of spring in India. Makara Sankranti is a solar event making it perhaps the only Indian festival whose date always falls on the same day every year: 14 January. It is believed that a person who dies during this auspicious period of Uttarayana is lucky as he goes to heaven. A person who dies during this period is said to become free from the cycle of rebirth. On the day of Sankranti it is said that the Lord Sun (Surya) visits his son Shani. It is said that generally the two do not get along well but not this day, the Sun visits his son forgetting all differences of opinion. Hence, Makar Sankranti is considered to be a day to forget sourness and bitter relationships. One must forget all the bitterness or ill-feelings and talk sweetly with everybody. On this day, people take a dip in the holy Ganga and offer water to the Surya (Sun God). By doing this, it is said that the sins will be cleansed and one can attain salvation. Taking a dip at Prayag is considered to be extremely good on this day. It is very good to chant the Gayatri Mantra on this day. On this day, people also pray to Goddess Saraswati. Goddess Saraswati who is considered the God of knowledge is worshipped. People also offer prayers to their departed ancestors. On this day, people make offerings to the animal kingdom, particularly the cow. Cow which plays a vital role in agriculture is worshipped. Birds, animals and fish are fed by young girls as sign of sharing. All over the country, Makara 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 fervour. 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. On Makar Sankranthi in Maharahtra, people celebrate by offering each other tilgul-laddus. These are made from sesame seeds, sugar and jaggery. People exchange these sweets with the words 'tilgul ghya, god god bola'. This means have these tilguls and speak sweet words. In Gujarat, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Uttarayan. On this day, people go to their terrace and fly kites along with family members and friends. People offer their respects and worship the Sun God by flying kites towards the sky. People exchange gifts and prepare Undhiyu which is a mixed vegetable dish. Makar Sankranti is celebrated in Kerala at Sabarimala. The forty days of spiritual discipline undertaken by devotees of Ayappa comes to an end on this day with a big celebration at Sabarimala. In West Bengal, Sankranti is known as Pous Parbon - a harvest festival. Every year, a very big mela (fair) is held at Ganga Sagar which a large number of pilgrims from all over the country attend. Makar Sankranti is also celebrated by other different names in various parts of India like Orissa, Goa, Assam, the coastal regions, and even among tribals.In Uttar Pradesh, Sankranti is celebrated as Khichiri. In Madhya Pradesh, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Sukarat or Sakarat. The traditions and celebrations might be different, but each of these festivals coveys the same message of brotherhood and peace.