Festival of the Sun's Northward Journey

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Makar Sankranti (मकर संक्रांति — Sun's Northward Journey)

Overview

Makar Sankranti marks the sun's transition into Capricorn (Makara rashi), signifying the end of winter and the beginning of longer days. Unlike most Hindu festivals, which follow the lunar calendar, Makar Sankranti follows the solar calendar and always falls on January 14 or 15.

Significance

The sun's northward journey (Uttarayana) is considered highly auspicious in Hindu tradition. The Bhagavad Gita states that those who die during Uttarayana attain liberation. The period is also associated with the harvest of winter crops, especially sugarcane and sesame.

Rituals

• Til-gul: Exchange of sesame seeds (til) and jaggery (gul) with the greeting "Til-gul ghya, god god bola" (Take this sweet, speak sweetly)
• Kite flying: Especially in Gujarat and Rajasthan, where the skies are filled with colorful kites
• Holy dips: Bathing in sacred rivers, especially the Ganges at Prayagraj
• Cow worship: Cattle are decorated and fed special food

Regional Names

• Pongal (Tamil Nadu)
• Lohri (Punjab)
• Bihu (Assam)
• Uttarayan (Gujarat)
• Maghi (Haryana, Himachal)
• Khichdi (Uttar Pradesh, Bihar)