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Makar Sankranti Festival Celebration


Makar Sankranti Festival Celebration


Makar Sankranti Festival Celebration


Makar Sankranti is a festival celebrated in India and Nepal to mark the transition of the sun into the Makara (Capricorn) zodiac on its celestial path. This transition, called Sankranti in Sanskrit, marks the end of the month with the winter solstice and the start of longer days. Makar Sankranti is celebrated on January 14th or 15th every year, depending on the Indian calendar.

The festival has many different names and customs across different regions of India and Nepal, but the basic celebration is the same. In many parts of India, people take a dip in holy rivers such as the Ganges, Yamuna, and Godavari to purify themselves and wash away their sins. This is believed to be especially auspicious because the sun is entering the zodiac of Makara, which is associated with the god of righteousness and virtue, Lord Vishnu.

The festival is also associated with the harvest season, as it marks the end of the winter crop season and the start of the spring planting season. Many people offer the first harvest of the season to the gods as a symbol of gratitude for a bountiful harvest.

In Maharashtra, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as a three-day festival called 'Til-Gul Ghya-God God Bola.' On the first day, people exchange sesame seed and jaggery sweets, Til-Gul, as a symbol of love and friendship. The second day is called 'Gudhi Padwa' is celebrated as the new year for the Marathi people. The third day is called 'Makar Sankranti' where people take a dip in the river and fly kites, the sky is filled with colorful kites.

In Gujarat, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as a two-day festival called 'Uttarayan.' On the first day, people make and fly kites from the rooftops, and on the second day, they take a dip in the river and make offerings to the sun god, Surya. This festival is also considered as a family festival, where people gather and share their love and happiness.

In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as a three-day festival called 'Bhogi,' 'Sankranti,' and 'Kanuma.' On the first day, people light a bonfire and throw away old clothes and other household items, symbolizing the letting go of old things and welcoming new beginnings. The second day is Sankranti, people take a dip in the river and make offerings to the sun god, Surya. The third day is Kanuma, people gather with their family and friends and enjoy traditional food and games.

In Bengal, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as a three-day festival called 'Poush Sankranti,' 'Makar Sankranti,' and 'Khichuri.' On the first day, people make and offer sweet delicacies made of newly harvested rice called 'pitha' to the gods and goddesses. The second day is Makar Sankranti, people take a dip in the river and make offerings to the sun god, Surya. The third day is Khichuri, people gather with their family and friends and enjoy traditional food and games.

In Nepal, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as a three-day festival called 'Maghi,' 'Makar Sankranti,' and 'Khichuri.' On the first day, people gather with their family and friends and enjoy traditional food and games. The second day is Makara Sankranti.

Sankranti, people take a dip in the holy rivers such as the Bagmati and make offerings to the sun god, Surya. The third day is Khichuri, people gather with their family and friends and enjoy traditional food and games.

In addition to these regional celebrations, Makar Sankranti is also celebrated in other parts of the world with significant Hindu populations, such as in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Many temples and community centers hold special events and ceremonies to mark the occasion.

One unique aspect of Makar Sankranti is the tradition of kite flying. It is believed that the kites symbolize the release of negative energy and the attainment of a higher spiritual plane. Kite flying competitions are a common sight during the festival, with people of all ages participating in the fun.

Makar Sankranti is also an important festival for farmers, as it marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of a new one. It is a time of gratitude and celebration for the bounty of the land, and a time to look forward to the new year with hope and optimism.

In conclusion, Makar Sankranti is a festival that is celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy throughout India and Nepal. It marks the transition of the sun into the Makara zodiac, symbolizing the end of the winter solstice and the start of longer days. The festival is also associated with the harvest season, as it marks the end of the winter crop season and the start of the spring planting season. It is an occasion for purification, gratitude, and celebration, and is enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds.

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