From an astrological perspective, the entry of Ravi (Sun) into Makar Rasi is called as Makar Sankranti. The festival is a harvest festival and is popular in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Maharastra.
From this day onwards Ravi begins to move from South towards the North with respect to the Earth signaling the oncoming of summer and hence this part of the season is also called as Uttarayana. During this period the power of Ravi will be more that what is. It affects the entire human beings and the rays that Ravi emanates will have adverse effects on human beings. Severe cold will be in Dhanurmasa and from Makarmasa gradually decreases and summer shows its intensity stating from the Radha Saptami day.
Makar Sankramanam will come in Pushamasa i.e., Full moon in Pushami Star. This is the reason why this month is called Pusha masa. Pusha masa is ruled by Saturn. The power of Saturn will be more. The star Pushami belongs to Satrun. Guru is Adidevata for the Star and Yama is Adidevata for Satrun. As a result the negative effects will be more.
When Ravi enters in Makar Rasi, Sani owns the house and Kuja is in exalted position and Guru in deliberate position. As Kuja is responsible for fire and Guru is for education line, during this period it is advised not to undertake any auspicious functions otherwise we call it as sunya masa. Natives belong to Makar rasi or persons with stars of Uttarashada, Sravan and Dhanista are advised to take more caution on health front.
Andhra Pradesh:
In Andhra Pradesh, Makar Sankranti is celebrated for four days, each day marking the traditional festivals of Bhogi, Makar Sankranti (Pedda Panduga), Kanuma and Mukkanuma respectively. The auspicious day of Sankranti is celebrated as Pongal. In most regions, the festival is celebrated for three days. The day before Makar Sankranti is known as Bhogi. On this day, early in the morning, old items in the house such unusable clothes, broken furniture are set on fire. On Sankranti, people wear new clothes and visit temples to celebrate the harvest. The third day is known as Kanuma. This season is also famous for cockfights in the State. However cockfights are not legal these days.
Makar Sankranti is one of the most auspicious days for Hindus and is celebrated in almost all parts of the country in myriad cultural forms with great devotion, fervor and gaiety. People in large numbers take dip in holy rivers such as the Ganga and Prayag and pray to Sun God.
Uttar Pradesh:
In Uttar Pradesh, Sankrant is called ‘Khichiri’. Taking a dip in the holy rivers on this day is regarded as most auspicious. A big one-month long ‘Magha-Mela’ fair begins at Prayag (Allahabad) on this occasion. Apart from Triveni, ritual bathing also takes place at many places like Haridvar and Garh Mukteshwar in Uttar Pradesh, and Patna in Bihar.
Bengal:
In Bengal every year a very big Mela is held at Ganga Sagar where the river Ganga is believed to have dived into the nether region and vivified the ashes of the sixty thousand ancestors of King Bhagirath. This mela is attended by a large number of pilgrims from all over the country.
Tamil Nadu:
In Tamil Nadu Sankrant is known by the name of ‘Pongal’, which takes its name from the surging of rice boiled in a pot of milk, and this festival has more significance than even Diwali. It is very popular particularly amongst farmers. Rice and pulses cooked together in ghee and milk is offered to the family deity after the ritual worship. In essence in the South this Sankrant is a ‘Puja’ (worship) for the Sun God.
Karnataka:
In Karnataka, the festival is marked by visiting one's friends and relatives to exchange greetings, and by the preparation of a dish called Ellu (made with sesame seeds, coconuts, sugar blocks, etc). A common custom found across Karnataka is the exchange of sugarcane pieces and Ellu with one's neighbors, friends and relatives. In Karnataka, Pongal is known as 'Sankranti', and cows and bullocks are gaily decorated and fed 'Pongal'- a sweet preparation of rice. Special prayers are offered. In the evening, the cattle are led out in procession to the beat of drums and music. In the night a bonfire is lit and the animals are made to jump over the fire.
Makar Sankranti is marked by men, women and children wearing colorful clothing; visiting near and dear ones; and exchanging pieces of sugarcane, a mixture of fried til, molasses, pieces of dry coconut, peanuts and fried gram. On this auspicious day, people in Karnataka distribute Yellu and bella (Sesame seeds and Jaggery) and greet with the words " “Ellu bella thindu, Olle Maathu Aadu” (Eat sesame seeds and speak only good). The significance of this exchange is that sweetness should prevail in all the dealings.
Maharashtra:
In Maharashtra on the Sankranti day people exchange multi-colored tilguds made from til (sesame seeds) and sugar and til-laddus made from til and jaggery. Til-polis are offered for lunch. While exchanging tilguls as tokens of goodwill people greet each other saying – ‘til-gul ghya, god god bola’ meaning ‘accept these tilguls and speak sweet words’. The under-lying thought in the exchange of tilguls is to forget the past ill-feelings and hostilities and resolve to speak sweetly and remain friends.
This is a special day for the women in Maharashtra when married women are invited for a get-together called ‘Haldi-Kumkum’ and given gifts of any utensil, which the woman of the house purchases on that day.
Gujarat:
In Gujarat Sankrant is observed more or less in the same manner as in Maharashtra but with a difference that in Gujarat there is a custom of giving gifts to relatives. The elders in the family give gifts to the younger members of the family. The Gujarati Pundits on this auspicious day grant scholarships to students for higher studies in astrology and philosophy. This festival thus helps the maintenance of social relationships within the family, caste and community.
Kite flying has been associated with this festival in a big way. It has become an internationally well-known event.
Punjab:
In Punjab where December and January are the coldest months of the year, huge bonfires are lit on the eve of Sankrant and which is celebrated as "LOHARI". Sweets, sugarcane and rice are thrown in the bonfires, around which friends and relatives gather together. The following day, which is Sankrant, is celebrated as MAGHI. The Punjabi's dance their famous Bhangra dance till they get exhausted. Then they sit down and eat the sumptuous food that is specially prepared for the occasion.
Kerala:
The 40 days anushthana by the devotees of Ayyappa ends on this day in Sabarimala with a big festival.
Bundelkhand:
In Bundelkhand and Madhya Pradesh this festival of Sankrant is known by the name ‘Sakarat’ and is celebrated with great pomp & merriment accompanied by lot of sweets.
Tribals of Orissa:
Many tribals in our country start their New Year from the day of Sankrant by lighting bonfires, dancing and eating their particular dishes sitting together. The Bhuya tribals of Orissa have their Maghyatra in which small home-made articles are put for sale.
Assam:
In Assam, the festival is celebrated as Bhogali Bihu.
Coastal Region:
In the coastal regions, it is a harvest festival dedicated to Indra.
Makar Sankranti is the day when the glorious Sun God of Hindus begins its ascendancy and entry into the Northern Hemisphere. Ravi (Sun) for Hindis stands for Pratyaksha Daivam who symbolizes the one, non-dual, self-effulgent, glorious divinity blessings one and all tirelessly. Ravi is the one who transcends time and also the one who rotates the proverbial Wheel of Time. The very famous Gayantri Mantra, which is chanted everyday by every faithful Hindu, is directed to Sun God to bless them with intelligence and wisdom. Sun not only represents God but also stands for an embodiment of knowledge and wisdom. On Makar Sankranti day the Sun begins its ascendancy and journey into the Northern Hemisphere and thus it signifies an event wherein the God seem to remind their children that ‘Tamaso Ma Jyotirgamaya’.
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From this day onwards Ravi begins to move from South towards the North with respect to the Earth signaling the oncoming of summer and hence this part of the season is also called as Uttarayana. During this period the power of Ravi will be more that what is. It affects the entire human beings and the rays that Ravi emanates will have adverse effects on human beings. Severe cold will be in Dhanurmasa and from Makarmasa gradually decreases and summer shows its intensity stating from the Radha Saptami day.
Makar Sankramanam will come in Pushamasa i.e., Full moon in Pushami Star. This is the reason why this month is called Pusha masa. Pusha masa is ruled by Saturn. The power of Saturn will be more. The star Pushami belongs to Satrun. Guru is Adidevata for the Star and Yama is Adidevata for Satrun. As a result the negative effects will be more.
When Ravi enters in Makar Rasi, Sani owns the house and Kuja is in exalted position and Guru in deliberate position. As Kuja is responsible for fire and Guru is for education line, during this period it is advised not to undertake any auspicious functions otherwise we call it as sunya masa. Natives belong to Makar rasi or persons with stars of Uttarashada, Sravan and Dhanista are advised to take more caution on health front.
Andhra Pradesh:
In Andhra Pradesh, Makar Sankranti is celebrated for four days, each day marking the traditional festivals of Bhogi, Makar Sankranti (Pedda Panduga), Kanuma and Mukkanuma respectively. The auspicious day of Sankranti is celebrated as Pongal. In most regions, the festival is celebrated for three days. The day before Makar Sankranti is known as Bhogi. On this day, early in the morning, old items in the house such unusable clothes, broken furniture are set on fire. On Sankranti, people wear new clothes and visit temples to celebrate the harvest. The third day is known as Kanuma. This season is also famous for cockfights in the State. However cockfights are not legal these days.
Makar Sankranti is one of the most auspicious days for Hindus and is celebrated in almost all parts of the country in myriad cultural forms with great devotion, fervor and gaiety. People in large numbers take dip in holy rivers such as the Ganga and Prayag and pray to Sun God.
Uttar Pradesh:
In Uttar Pradesh, Sankrant is called ‘Khichiri’. Taking a dip in the holy rivers on this day is regarded as most auspicious. A big one-month long ‘Magha-Mela’ fair begins at Prayag (Allahabad) on this occasion. Apart from Triveni, ritual bathing also takes place at many places like Haridvar and Garh Mukteshwar in Uttar Pradesh, and Patna in Bihar.
Bengal:
In Bengal every year a very big Mela is held at Ganga Sagar where the river Ganga is believed to have dived into the nether region and vivified the ashes of the sixty thousand ancestors of King Bhagirath. This mela is attended by a large number of pilgrims from all over the country.
Tamil Nadu:
In Tamil Nadu Sankrant is known by the name of ‘Pongal’, which takes its name from the surging of rice boiled in a pot of milk, and this festival has more significance than even Diwali. It is very popular particularly amongst farmers. Rice and pulses cooked together in ghee and milk is offered to the family deity after the ritual worship. In essence in the South this Sankrant is a ‘Puja’ (worship) for the Sun God.
Karnataka:
In Karnataka, the festival is marked by visiting one's friends and relatives to exchange greetings, and by the preparation of a dish called Ellu (made with sesame seeds, coconuts, sugar blocks, etc). A common custom found across Karnataka is the exchange of sugarcane pieces and Ellu with one's neighbors, friends and relatives. In Karnataka, Pongal is known as 'Sankranti', and cows and bullocks are gaily decorated and fed 'Pongal'- a sweet preparation of rice. Special prayers are offered. In the evening, the cattle are led out in procession to the beat of drums and music. In the night a bonfire is lit and the animals are made to jump over the fire.
Makar Sankranti is marked by men, women and children wearing colorful clothing; visiting near and dear ones; and exchanging pieces of sugarcane, a mixture of fried til, molasses, pieces of dry coconut, peanuts and fried gram. On this auspicious day, people in Karnataka distribute Yellu and bella (Sesame seeds and Jaggery) and greet with the words " “Ellu bella thindu, Olle Maathu Aadu” (Eat sesame seeds and speak only good). The significance of this exchange is that sweetness should prevail in all the dealings.
Maharashtra:
In Maharashtra on the Sankranti day people exchange multi-colored tilguds made from til (sesame seeds) and sugar and til-laddus made from til and jaggery. Til-polis are offered for lunch. While exchanging tilguls as tokens of goodwill people greet each other saying – ‘til-gul ghya, god god bola’ meaning ‘accept these tilguls and speak sweet words’. The under-lying thought in the exchange of tilguls is to forget the past ill-feelings and hostilities and resolve to speak sweetly and remain friends.
This is a special day for the women in Maharashtra when married women are invited for a get-together called ‘Haldi-Kumkum’ and given gifts of any utensil, which the woman of the house purchases on that day.
Gujarat:
In Gujarat Sankrant is observed more or less in the same manner as in Maharashtra but with a difference that in Gujarat there is a custom of giving gifts to relatives. The elders in the family give gifts to the younger members of the family. The Gujarati Pundits on this auspicious day grant scholarships to students for higher studies in astrology and philosophy. This festival thus helps the maintenance of social relationships within the family, caste and community.
Kite flying has been associated with this festival in a big way. It has become an internationally well-known event.
Punjab:
In Punjab where December and January are the coldest months of the year, huge bonfires are lit on the eve of Sankrant and which is celebrated as "LOHARI". Sweets, sugarcane and rice are thrown in the bonfires, around which friends and relatives gather together. The following day, which is Sankrant, is celebrated as MAGHI. The Punjabi's dance their famous Bhangra dance till they get exhausted. Then they sit down and eat the sumptuous food that is specially prepared for the occasion.
Kerala:
The 40 days anushthana by the devotees of Ayyappa ends on this day in Sabarimala with a big festival.
Bundelkhand:
In Bundelkhand and Madhya Pradesh this festival of Sankrant is known by the name ‘Sakarat’ and is celebrated with great pomp & merriment accompanied by lot of sweets.
Tribals of Orissa:
Many tribals in our country start their New Year from the day of Sankrant by lighting bonfires, dancing and eating their particular dishes sitting together. The Bhuya tribals of Orissa have their Maghyatra in which small home-made articles are put for sale.
Assam:
In Assam, the festival is celebrated as Bhogali Bihu.
Coastal Region:
In the coastal regions, it is a harvest festival dedicated to Indra.
Makar Sankranti is the day when the glorious Sun God of Hindus begins its ascendancy and entry into the Northern Hemisphere. Ravi (Sun) for Hindis stands for Pratyaksha Daivam who symbolizes the one, non-dual, self-effulgent, glorious divinity blessings one and all tirelessly. Ravi is the one who transcends time and also the one who rotates the proverbial Wheel of Time. The very famous Gayantri Mantra, which is chanted everyday by every faithful Hindu, is directed to Sun God to bless them with intelligence and wisdom. Sun not only represents God but also stands for an embodiment of knowledge and wisdom. On Makar Sankranti day the Sun begins its ascendancy and journey into the Northern Hemisphere and thus it signifies an event wherein the God seem to remind their children that ‘Tamaso Ma Jyotirgamaya’.
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