5 Auspicious things to do on Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti is one of the most auspicious Hindu festivals celebrated in India. It is celebrated with great joy in most Indian states with different names and slightly different rituals. It is primarily a harvest festival that is dedicated to the “Sun” God. This festival excellently showcases pure Indian culture and traditions and can hold anyone in awe. The Auspicious things to do on Makar Sankranti often witnessed by people is taking, a holy dip in the sacred rivers all over the country and to pay their obeisance to the sun god.
Makara Sankranti is a Major Harvest Festival of India and has different names in different states like Pongal in South India, Uttarayana in Western India, Lohri in Northern India, PoushParbon, and BhogaliBihu in Eastern India
The day of Makar Sankranti also marks the beginning of the spring season. This day also holds special importance, as the solar calendar measures the day and night both to be of equal length. After this festival, the days start getting longer and the nights shorter.
When is Makar Sankranti?
Makar Sankranti in 2023 is on 15th January 2023
The Auspicious time (Punya Kaal) starts at 07:15 am and ends at 06:21 pm. Though the highly auspicious time (Maha Punya Kaal) is between 07:15 am and 09:06 am Indian Standard time.
5 Auspicious things to do on Makar Sankranti this year!
1. Take a holy bath
In Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti usually starts with a holy bath in Ganga, Yamuna, or other important rivers. It is believed, that taking a bath and offering water to Lord Sun, removes all the body ailments and flushes out all the negativity from life.
As most of us live in cities or maybe can’t visit the Ganga, we may use a couple of drops of “holy water” your regular water, and take a bath with that. Also taking bath in water with some sesame seeds is also considered beneficial.
2. Pray and Chant Mantra for Sun God
As Makar Sankranti is a festival of the Sun God, praying and chanting to Surya (Sun) God can help bring good fortune and prosperity. You may chant “Om Ghru Suryaya Namah” and get rid of your troubles.
।। नमः सूर्याय शान्ताय सर्वरोग निवारिणे
आयुररोग्य मैस्वैर्यं देहि देवः जगत्पते ।।
Namah Suryaya Shantaya Sarvaroga Nivaarine,
Ayurarogya Maisvairyam Dehi Devah Jagatpate
Meaning- Surya Dev, the ruler of the Universe, you are the remover of all diseases, the repository of peace. I bow to you, and please bless your devotees with long life, health, and wealth.
3. Daan or gift as per your pocket
Daan or Donation is a vital part of a Hindu’s life. And donating to the needy or Gifting to friends and family on such festivals is a good way to share your happiness and joy. You may choose to donate new clothes, utensils, food, money, or some seasonal essentials.
You may also choose to gift spiritual items like holy scriptures, holy books, or puja essentials along with til kut, chikki, etc.
4. Eating Til Kut, Khichi and Chawal
None of our Indian festivals is complete without eating sweets. With winter at its peak in most parts of India, the most Auspicious things to do on Makar Sankranti are relishing sesame laddoo, rice, lentils, and gajak (tilkut). These are also usually offered to the almighty, as gratitude for blessing all the resources of life. The addition of sesame seeds is also done to remove all negative energies and bad omens from life.
People also eat sesame seeds laddoo along with ‘Dahi Chiwda’. Chiwda/Poha is flattened rice and Dahi is curd, Mixing these too and relished with sugar or powdered jaggery.
Also Read: Yoghurt or curd: What’s the Difference?
In most parts of India, the day ends with khichdi, mashed potato, and a wide range of pakodas, seasonal vegetables are served along with this dish. Khichdi is often made with rice, black lentils, and a lot of seasonal veggies which makes it a wholesome meal that is often served with a dollop of desi ghee.
Also Read: Healthy Millet Quinoa Dal Khichdi
5. Fly kites with your kids and friends
Especially in Northern India, Makar Sankranti, also known as Uttarayan is the festival for flying kites.
The tradition of kite flying is considered a healthy ritual as it exposes the body to the sun during morning hours. It is believed that the mid-morning sun rays are very rich in vitamin D and as the winter season brings in a lot of sicknesses, these rays wipe them all.
Hope you are doing these 5 Auspicious things to do on Makar Sankranti, and achieve happiness and joy this year.
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Beginning of all festivals, Makar sankaanti is most auspicious one, thing you shared to do are actually we all should follow. Happy Makar Sankranti.
Flying kites and eating til papadi and Ladoo is what I do but this time will definitely chant mantra for Surya God.
Yay!
For me Makar Sankranti means relishing sesame laddoo, rice, lentils, and gajak (tilkut). As we celebrate only Lohri. Nice to know about this.
It is important to stay connected with our rituals. And it is our responsibility to pass it on to the next generation. It is so good to read the detailed version of these rituals.
Makar Sankranti is a festival which is celebrated in a grand way across West Bengal and we make different sweets with use of Rice flour and other ingredients followed by distributions among friends and families. Donation is done also to poor people.
Yes, donations makes the festivities happy for the needy
Sankranti was one of my favourite festivals growing up since we girls went to everyone’s home, said Til gul ghya God God bola and collected lots of sweets. Still not good at kite-flying though.
I belong to MP and Gujrat and in both state, Makar Sankranti celebrated by following various rituals. In gujrat, people have so much fun while kit flying and wait for this festival all year along to have fun with friends and family.
I am waiting for Makar Sankranti. Starting our year with positivity beings so much joy and good vibes in our surroundings. In Maharashtra, we also do Haldi Kumkum. I too have been following this practice here. It feels good when I can spread our culture among my non-Maharashtrian friends over here.
Makar sankranti is a time to.look into yourself and cleanse inside out. I loved your post and I love how you have brought about positivity.