Makar Sankranti 2025 will be celebrated on January 14, 2025, marking the Sun’s transition into Capricorn (Makar Rashi). This significant celestial event signals the onset of longer days and the end of winter, aligning with India’s harvest season. The festival is celebrated with diverse traditions across the country, reflecting unity in diversity.

In this article we will look into what Makar Sankranti is, its cultural significance, the date of celebration, and the ways it is observed across India.

What is Makar Sankranti?

Makar Sankranti is a Hindu festival celebrating the Sun’s northward journey, referred to as Uttarayan. It symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and is a time of spiritual awakening, prosperity, and gratitude for the harvest. The festival is unique as it follows the solar calendar, occurring annually on January 14 or 15.

Makar Sankranti 2025 Date

Makar Sankranti 2025 falls on Tuesday, January 14, and is observed with great fervor. Unlike most Hindu festivals based on the lunar calendar, this festival’s date remains consistent due to its solar basis.

Why is Makar Sankranti Celebrated?

Makar Sankranti celebrates the Sun’s entry into Capricorn, marking the beginning of Uttarayan. This six-month period is considered highly auspicious in Hindu tradition, signifying growth, positivity, and prosperity.

The festival also marks the end of winter and the arrival of the harvest season, a crucial time for farmers. It is associated with spiritual practices, such as taking holy dips in rivers and performing Surya puja (worship of the Sun God), to seek blessings for a fruitful year ahead.

Story of Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is rooted in Hindu mythology, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. So here are two connections of the story behind the Makar Sankranti.

• Lord Vishnu’s Victory: According to legend, Lord Vishnu defeated the demon Sankarasura on this day, symbolizing the end of darkness and negativity.
• Bhishma Pitamah’s Departure: In the Mahabharata, Bhishma Pitamah chose to leave his mortal body during Uttarayan, believing it to be the most auspicious time for the soul’s ascension.

These stories highlight the spiritual significance of Makar Sankranti as a day of liberation and renewal.

Cultural Significance of Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti holds immense cultural value, uniting communities across India. In various states Makar Sankranti holds immense significance in terms of:

• Spiritual Practices: People take holy dips in rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, and Godavari to cleanse their sins.
• Charity: Offering food, clothes, and money to the underprivileged promotes social harmony and welfare.
• Traditional Foods: Dishes like khichdi, tilgul (sesame sweets), and laddoos are prepared, showcasing India’s culinary diversity.
• Kite Flying: In states like Gujarat and Rajasthan, colorful kites fill the skies, symbolizing freedom and joy.

How Makar Sankranti is Celebrated Across India

The celebrations of Makar Sankranti vary by region, reflecting local customs and traditions. Here’s how it is observed in different states:

• Gujarat – Uttarayan: Known for vibrant kite festivals, people in Gujarat celebrate Uttarayan by flying kites, preparing sweets like tilgul, and enjoying community feasts.

• Tamil Nadu – Pongal: In Tamil Nadu, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Pongal, a four-day harvest festival. Traditional dishes are prepared, and rituals like boiling rice in milk are performed to honor the Sun God.

• Punjab – Lohri: In Punjab, the night before Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Lohri, marked by bonfires, folk dances, and songs, symbolizing gratitude for the harvest.

• Assam – Bhogali Bihu: Assam observes Bhogali Bihu with feasting, community gatherings, and bonfires, reflecting the joy of the harvest season.

• Maharashtra: In Maharashtra, people exchange tilgul, saying “Tilgul ghya, god god bola” (Take sesame sweets and speak sweetly), promoting goodwill and harmony.

• Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand – Khichdi Parwa: This day is celebrated as Khichdi Parwa, where people take holy dips in the Ganga, prepare khichdi, and perform rituals to honor their ancestors.

• West Bengal – Poush Sankranti: In West Bengal, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Poush Parbon, marked by cultural events, feasting, and offering sweets made from jaggery and coconut.

• Odisha: Odisha celebrates the festival with bonfires, community feasts, and rituals that signify unity and prosperity.

Astronomical Significance of Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is astronomically significant as it marks the Sun’s transition into Capricorn. This celestial shift brings longer days and shorter nights, symbolizing the end of harsh winters.

The period of Uttarayan, starting on Makar Sankranti, is believed to enhance spiritual energy and positivity, making it an ideal time for religious practices.

Traditional Foods of Makar Sankranti

Food plays a central role in Makar Sankranti celebrations, highlighting the agricultural roots of the festival.

• Tilgul: Sesame and jaggery sweets, symbolize unity and sweetness in relationships.
• Khichdi: A savory dish made of rice and lentils, considered highly auspicious.
• Laddoos: Sweet balls made from sesame, jaggery, or coconut, enjoyed across India.
• Pongal: A Tamil dish made of rice, milk, and jaggery, prepared during the Pongal festival.

Spiritual Practices on Makar Sankranti

The spiritual practices observed during Makar Sankranti include:

• Holy Dips: Pilgrims bathe in sacred rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, and Godavari to purify their souls.
• Surya Puja: Worshiping the Sun God for health, wealth, and prosperity.
• Charity: Donating food, clothes, and money to the needy, promoting equality and compassion.

Why is Makar Sankranti Special?

Makar Sankranti is not just a harvest festival; it is a day of spiritual awakening, gratitude, and community bonding. The festival’s inclusivity and its focus on social welfare make it one of the most cherished occasions in India.

Makar Sankranti 2025 is a festival celebrating the spirit of gratitude, unity, and spiritual awakening. Celebrated with diverse traditions across India, it signifies the onset of prosperity and positivity. Whether through kite flying in Gujarat, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, or holy dips in Uttar Pradesh, Makar Sankranti unites the nation in its rich cultural tapestry.

Make this Makar Sankranti festival a time to embrace the values of harmony, sharing, and joy, as you welcome the Sun’s northward journey and the blessings it brings. To learn more about Indian culture and cultural festivals from the perspective of UPSC exams, explore IAS Hub Courses for the upcoming UPSC Prelims 2025 and Mains Exam.

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