MAKKAR SAKRANTI...SOME FACTS AND BEAUTIFUL PICTURES

SANYAM ARORA (“It's hard to beat a person who never gives up.”)   (20173 Points)

13 January 2011  

                         MAKKAR SAKRANTI

 

Makar Sankranti 2011 in Hindu calendar based on India Standard Time. Makar Sankranti, also known as Sankranti or Makara Sankrant, is one of the highly auspicious days in a Hindu calendar and the day is dedicated to the worship of Lord Surya (Sun God). In 2011, the date of Makar Sankranti is January 14. (Note - In Marathi Calendars and calendars followed in eastern parts of India, Makar Sankranti is marked on January 15.) Auspicious time of Sankranti in all regions in India is on January 15 from sunrise. The Makar Sankranti is marked on January 14 because the transition of moon in Makar Rashi takes place at 12:45 PM on the night of January 14.



 

Makar Sankranti is the day when the sun enters into the zodiac Capricorn or Makara. It is also known as Uttarayana Punyakalam and heralds the arrival of spring season

Note – a day in Hindu tradition is calculated from sunrise to next sunrise. Therefore the transition of Sun into Makar Rashi takes place at the midnight of January 14. This is why Sankranti is marked on January 14, 2011 in some calendars. 

Note – a day in Hindu tradition is calculated from sunrise to next sunrise. Therefore the transition of Sun into Makar Rashi takes place at the midnight of January 14. This is why Sankranti is marked on January 14, 2011 in some calendars. 

Lord Surya is worshipped on the Makar Sankranti day and is a form of Nature Worship. A major event on the day is the bathing ritual at Sangam (conflueof Yamuna, Saraswati and Ganga) in Allahabad and also in the famous bathing ghats on River Ganga. Taking a holy dip on the day is considered to cleanse sins committed and this will lead to Moksha (Salvation).

Uttarayana Punyakalam, the day time of Devas, begins with the Makar Sankranti and lasts for six months. This period is ideal for all kind of auspicious activities.

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Makar Sankranti is observed throughout India by all communities but with slight variations in the festivities.

 

 

Makar Sankranti Recipes

 Makar Sankranti is one of the important festivals of India. This festival is associated with nature, season change and agriculture. All the three things are base of life. As the factor of nature, this day, God Sun is being worshiped which is called the spirit of material and immaterial elements. As per these situation, there is a seasonal change and earth gives us grains, by which the communities nourishment is done.


 

On Makar Sankranti the sun is welcomed from southern to northern solstice(Tropic of Capricorn to Cancer). It is a festival of farewell to winters and greeting of spring season as well as crop harvesting and bringing them home. At the time of organising a festival, the first talk is about food and dishes. As the festival of Makar Sankranti is celebrated in different styles all over the country, similarly the food prepared also has different varieties. The thing to be observed is that, although the festival of Makar Snkranti may have everywhere, different names, and ways of celebration as well as dishes prepared, but the ingredients used are same.


 

All over the country people consume Til, rice, Urad Dal and jaggery in different styles. In all these items, Til is given more importance. This day, even though you don’t have any of these items, but do eat Til in some or the other form. Because of the relevance of Til, Makar Sankranti is also known as Til Sankranti. The ingredients included in food items on Makar Sankranti are nourishing as well as keep the body temperature high.