The celebration of Makar Sankranti is auspicious
Q: Namaste, happy new year to you and your family. I would like to know why you have not written in your newspaper column on how one should perform Surya Pooja. Kindly advise on how it should be done. I will appreciate it, thank you. N
A: is a very auspicious day for Hindus (Tamil, Telegu, Gujarati, Punjabi, Sindhi, Hindi, Bhojpuri speaking people, as well as others). It is one of the major festivals to be celebrated by Indians all over the world.
means “to move from one place to another”. Makar is the Hindi word for the zodiac sign Capricorn. January 14 is the day when the sun moves from Sagittarius into Capricorn. The planet sun (lord Surya Narayana) makes 12 movements during the year, but this is one of the most important transitions as per religious, spiritual and astrological belief.
The traditional Indian calendar is based on lunar positions, but is a solar event.
So while dates of all Hindu festivals keep changing as per the Gregorian calendar, the date of remains constant, every year on January 14. is one of the most important as per Hindu calendar. dates
Significance of Makar sankranti According to Hindu mythology, Shanidev is the son of lord Sun and on this day the Sun visits the house of his son Shani, who is the lord of Capricorn This day symbolises the healthy relationship of father and son.
It was on this day when Lord Vishnu ended the ever increasing terror of the Asuras by finishing them off and burying their heads under the
(Mountain).
In the era of Mahabharata, Bhishma Pithama had a blessing of death wish. Although lying on the bed of arrows, he did not sacrifice his life, and waited for the Sun to go into (Capricorn). It is believed that on this day who dies in Uttarayan gets salvation. Bhishma Pithama discarded his body on this day. Uttarayan is considered as the daytime for demi-gods. Generally, at night-time unrighteous deeds may occur, whereas the day is regarded as the symbol of truth, virtue and religion. So, when it is day for Gods, all work of virtue are performed. It is believed that from the doors of heaven are opened, so people celebrate this auspicious occasion.
Variation of Makar Sankranti in different states
is celebrated differently in different states all across India. A variation on two counts, its name as well as the way it is celebrated, is found when it comes to
in India. In Bengal, the festival is synonymous with donating Til after taking a bath. Til-gul is distributed in Maharashtra on this day.
It is celebrated as Lohdi in Punjab and Haryana. After sunset people assemble to worship Agni Devata by offering til, gud, rice etc. as ahuti.
is celebrated as Pongal in Tamil Nadu and the festive season lasts for a few days. In Rajasthan, people fly kites from morning to evening. Men, women, children and the elderly are on their house terraces flying kites the whole day. Married women dress up like other festivals.
This kite festival is depicted in many Bollywood films.
Astrological and Spiritual Significance
Taking a bath in the holy river and giving donations has special importance in Makar Sankranti. Religious scriptures also emphasise upon bath, donation and religious jobs on this day. It has been said that donations given on Makar Sankranti come back a hundred times more. On this day in India millions of people take a bath in the holy river “Ganga” as well as other rivers.
Astrologically, it is the best day to earn “good karma” by doing any form of charity.
It will help to reduce your planetary problem.
You can please the planets Sun and Saturn very easily on this day. On this occasion the bond between fathers and sons can become stronger, if they have differences. So, it is best to settle any outstanding issues on this day.
The blessing of parents is always important, but on this day the father’s blessing is most effective. If a father visits his son’s house on this day, if they live separately, it is considered very auspicious. Astrologically, if you feel that there is a lack of appreciation in your life from others and you have poor eyesight and constant headaches, then it is advisable to offer water to the rising sun every morning to overcome these. The benefits are multifold if you are able to do this on this auspicious day.
Directions
Fill fresh water in a copper lotta (pot). While performing this ritual, imagine that you are offering “Ganges water” to Suryadev. As the water falls, look at the Sun through the water. It is advisable to offer the water early in the morning. Chant
11 times while offering the water. This is one of the ways to offer water to Suryadev (Sun).