Makar Sankranti 2024: Date, Rituals, and All You Need to Know!
Along with the celebrations of Lohri, there comes the festivities of Makar Sankranti! Makar Sankranti is a festival that is celebrated in honor of the Sun God or Surya Dev. It’s celebrated with different names in various parts of the nation. In Gujarat, it’s called Uttarayan; in Assam, it’s recognized as Magh Bihu; in East Uttar Pradesh, it’s known as Khichdi; and Pongal is its name in South India. It is celebrated as Poush Sankranti in Bengal. It is also signified as the day for the harvest festival.
The Sun God provides energy and light to the whole world. It’s recognized as the direct God. It’s believed that there is a change in the zodiac of the Sun every month. And this transition is called Sankranti. There are twelve Sankranti’s every year. When the Sun shifts to Capricorn, it’s recognized as the Makar Sankranti. It’s the most prominent and famous, and is celebrated with great zeal and energy.
When is Makar Sankranti 2024?
This year, the festival of Makar Sankranti will fall on Sunday, 14th January 2024 / Monday, 15th January 2024.
Makar Sankranti 2024: Rituals, Traditions and Significance
People celebrate this festival with incredible charm and enthusiasm. The Makar Sankranti marks the start of the longer days and the end of the winter. It’s also considered the beginning of the new agriculture cycle. The devotees take a dip in the water of holy rivers like Ganges, Godavari, Yamuna, etc. It’s believed that while taking a dip in these rivers, all the sins have been washed away.
People also get included in the donations and charities, and they donate to people in need. As per the best astrologer, on this holy day, it’s best to donate sesame seeds and Khichdi to the less fortunate and underprivileged. It’s also good to serve cattle and livestock. People prepare gur (jaggery) and til (sesame) food items like gur til laddoos. People also fly kites, and the whole sky is filled with colorful and vibrant kites. The devotees also visit temples and offer prayers to seek blessings. We wish a Very Happy Makar Sankranti to Everyone! May this festival bring happiness, good health, and prosperity to everyone’s lives!
