What is Sankranti

Sankranti is a Hindu festival that is celebrated in southern parts of India. It marks the transition of the sun from one zodiac sign to another, and is typically celebrated on the 14th of January each year. The festival is also known as Pongal in Tamil Nadu and Makar Sankranti in other parts of India. It is a time of great joy and celebration, with people participating in a variety of traditional activities such as flying kites, decorating their homes, and sharing sweets with friends and family.

Why Sankranti is Celebrated

Sankranti is celebrated to mark the transition of the sun from one zodiac sign to another. It is believed that on this day, the sun enters the sign of Makara (Capricorn), marking the beginning of the month of Magha according to the Hindu calendar. The festival is also seen as a celebration of the end of the winter solstice and the start of longer days.

In many parts of India, Sankranti is also a time for family and community gatherings. People participate in a variety of traditional activities, such as flying kites, decorating their homes, and sharing sweets with friends and family. It is a time for people to come together and celebrate the abundance of the harvest season.

Sankranti is also an occasion for people to pay their respects to their ancestors and offer prayers for their well-being. It is a time for giving thanks for the blessings of the past year and seeking blessings for the year ahead. Overall, Sankranti is a time of joy, celebration, and gratitude.

 Importance of Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is an important festival in Hinduism that is celebrated in many parts of India and Nepal. It marks the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Makara (Capricorn) on its celestial path. It is a time of new beginnings and is considered to be an auspicious occasion for starting new ventures.

It is believed that on this day, the sun begins its northward journey and enters the zodiac sign of Makara, marking the end of the winter solstice. The festival is also associated with the Hindu deity Lord Vishnu, who is believed to have taken three steps on the earth, marking the three worlds (heaven, earth, and the underworld).

Makar Sankranti is celebrated in various ways across the country. In some regions, people fly kites and participate in kite-flying competitions. In other parts of India, people take holy dips in rivers and participate in fairs and cultural events. In some areas, people exchange sweets and gifts with friends and family, and special dishes are prepared to mark the occasion.

Overall, Makar Sankranti is an important festival that is celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy in India and Nepal. It is a time of new beginnings and is considered to be an auspicious occasion for starting new ventures.