As 2025 begins, the festive season also kicks off in full swing with Makar Sankranti. Celebrated every year on January 14, Makar Sankranti marks an important astronomical event—the Sun’s transition into the zodiac sign Capricorn (Makara), signalling the end of the winter solstice and the start of longer days. This shift is also referred to as the period of Uttrayan in different parts of the country.
The celebration of Makar Sankranti is unique as it follows the solar calendar, unlike many other Indian festivals. Dedicated to the Sun God, the festival symbolises positivity, new beginnings, and blessings for a prosperous six months ahead. Across India, people observe Makar Sankranti with diverse traditions and customs, making it one of the most colourful and meaningful festivals.
In this article, we will discuss Makar Sankranti in detail.
When is Makar Sankranti This Year?
Makar Sankranti in 2025 is on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. The most auspicious time for rituals during the festival is from 8:55 AM to 12:51 PM, known as the Punyakal period. Mahapunyakal time (8:55 AM to 9:29 AM) is considered especially significant for religious practices and offerings.
Make the most of this Makar Sankranti 2025 time (8:55 AM to 12:51 PM) by participating in rituals, sharing festive moments with loved ones, and embracing the joy and hope this auspicious festival brings!
The History of Makar Sankranti Explained
There are many stories about the Makar Sankranti festival history. Its origins, supposedly, can be traced back to the Indus valley civilisation when sun worship in tandem with fire rituals was extremely common. Still others believe that it has a connection with Indian astronomy and is supposed to coincide with the winter solstice.
What is the Significance of Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti is a festival deeply rooted in Hindu traditions and holds immense cultural and spiritual importance. It symbolises new beginnings and the transition to a positive phase of the year. Here are some key aspects of Makar Sankranti:
- Harvest Festival: Makar Sankranti is a harvest festival that signifies the end of the winter harvest season and the beginning of the new harvest season.
- Marks the beginning of Uttrayan: One of the key aspects of the festival is the period of Uttarayan, which begins with Makar Sankranti.
- A period for spiritual renewal and cleansing: Makar Sankranti is a time to cleanse the soul and start afresh with good intentions. Through prayers, rituals, and acts of charity, people aim to attract good fortune and positivity into their lives.
- Agricultural significance: The celebration of Makar Sankranti also highlights its agricultural importance. It marks the end of the harvest season when farmers rejoice in gratitude for a successful harvest.
- Cultural Celebrations: People celebrate by flying kites, preparing special sweets like tilgul (made of sesame seeds and jaggery), and participating in fairs and bonfires.
- Regional Variations: The festival is known by different names in various states, such as Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Magh Bihu in Assam, and Uttarayan in Gujarat.
Celebration of Makar Sankranti
Festivals are among the best ways to teach your children about our culture and associated traditions. If this is your little one’s first Makar Sankranti, you might be wondering the best ways to celebrate the festival. You are in luck; here, we have listed a few ways to kick in your Makar Sankranti celebrations.
- Light a bonfire
- Host a feast
- Khichdi: A wholesome mix of freshly harvested rice, lentils, and seasonal vegetables. Ayurveda recommends eating khichdi during this festival as it aids digestion and prepares the body for the seasonal transition from winter to spring. Symbolically, its one-pot preparation signifies unity and harmony.
- Til and Jaggery (Sesame and Jaggery): These are central to the festival, as it’s also called Til Sankranti. Sesame seeds are believed to purify and balance the body’s energies, promoting spiritual growth. Sweet treats like til ladoos and chikkis are shared with loved ones, symbolizing warmth and togetherness.
- Kite Flying
- Spiritual Practices
Bonfire is an integral part of the celebration of Makar Sankranti. In some regions, bonfires are lit, signifying burning away negativity and welcoming the warmth of the Sun. Additionally, some regions worship animals like cows and bulls, which are integral to agriculture, and they are worshipped and adorned with decorations as a gesture of gratitude.
Food plays a central role in the celebration of Makar Sankranti, with dishes reflecting the festival’s agricultural and spiritual essence. Khichdi and Tilgud are two important dishes prepared during Makar Sankranti.
Kite flying is one of the most exciting Makar Sankranti activities for preschoolers and adults alike. This tradition, especially popular in Gujarat and Punjab, fills the skies with colourful kites. The practice promotes good health by exposing people to the sun’s early rays and absorbing Vitamin D.
Taking a dip in sacred rivers like the Ganges, Yamuna, or Godavari is a ritual many follow during Makar Sankranti. This act is believed to cleanse the soul and bring blessings. People also pray to the Sun God, seeking prosperity and positivity during the auspicious period of Uttarayan.
Importance of Makar Sankranti
An integral part of the Indian cultural fabric, Makar Sankranti’s significance surpasses the exchange of sweetmeats and circling around bonfires. In fact, the significance of Makar Sankranti lies in its spiritual aspect and what the festival as a whole symbolises. Let us decode the importance of Makar Sankranti together:
- As we already told you, one of the reasons why Makar Sankranti is celebrated is to observe the sun’s journey towards the north. Because the start of this journey marks the very end of the cold, unforgiving winter and the beginning of the bountiful and lively spring, call it an ode to the beginning of a new life.
- Aside from revering the sun and its journey, Makar Sankranti also places immense importance on the incoming harvest season. In fact, it is a harvest festival. This is the time when the harvesting of rabi crops commences, so it is no surprise that farmers celebrate nature and spring during this time.
- Makar Sankranti is all about that new beginning. It marks the beginning of a new season. But, Makar Sankranti is not just about the change of season, the phase of the sun, or a period of time. Makar Sankranti goes beyond these constructs to signify a spiritual renewal, self-reflection or introspection. The day is spent expressing gratitude and seeking forgiveness and blessings. So, there is a spirituality to it.
- The festival of Makar Sankranti places immense importance on community building. It is a day to come closer together as a community, partaking in a shared experience of joy, song and dance in the backdrop of a soul-warming bonfire.
Summing Up
In conclusion, Makar Sankranti is more than just a festival—it’s a time to teach your children the values of gratitude, renewal, and togetherness. Moreover, the celebration of Makar Sankranti offers parents the perfect opportunity to create lasting memories with their family, celebrate traditions, and pass on cultural wisdom to the next generation. It also offers a great way for you and your little one to embrace the community spirit. Check out our blog, 7 Fun and Exciting Ways to Celebrate Harvest Festivals with Kids, for creative activities that make the festival more enjoyable and meaningful for your little ones.
You can also explore the EuroKids Blog for a treasure trove of engaging and insightful articles designed to nurture your child’s growth, health, and learning journey.
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