Religious and Spiritual significance of Makar Sakranti festival!
Makar sankranti festival in India has great significance. The festival occurs when there is major movement in the position of the sun. Astrologers say that the sun has moved from Dakhshinayan to Uttarayana that is from Tropic Capricorn to Cancer. Every state celebrates this festival with different names. For instance, in Punjab it is celebrated as Lohri, in Assam it is celebrated as Bhogal/ Magh Bihu, in UP as Khicdi(Donation festival) and at Tamil Naidu as Pongal.
There are various beliefs which are related with this Makar sankranti festival. Every state enjoys this festival with complete joy and faith. Every fiesta has some beliefs attached to it so does this festival has. The belief which prevails along this festival is related to Dakhshinayan which is known as Pitriyaan and Uttarayana which is known as Devayan. At the time of Uttarayana it is said that the holy soul comes into heaven. This movement of the sun has given Makar Sankrant another name which is Alok Parva. It is said that the donations given to Brahmins at the time of Alok Parva is accepted by the Gods directly. The another belief which exists is that Makar Sakranti leads to the starting of Magh , which is the month when God awakes and thus this month is considered auspicious for activities like marriages.
Makar Sakranti is considered as a holy festival and thus Indian people performs various Makar sankranti rituals at this time. As the sun enters the phase of Uttarayan which results in longer days and it is considered best time for prayers. Married women pleases the Sun by praying as it is a powerful form of God and it will provide better and long life to their husbands. People can be seen performing Makar sankranti rituals across the country. People take bath in the holy river Ganges on the day of Makar sankranti as it is the ritual which prevails in whole country and it is said that this bath will purify your soul. At this day, people also perform charity and donations because of the ritual that “the more you give the more it will come back to you”.
Makar sankranti festival symbolizes truth, religion and virtue. Thus most of the virtues are conducted on this day so that people are blessed with the God’s blessings. This day is considered fortunate as the doors of Heaven are said to be opened and thus people celebrate Makar Sankrant date 2012 15 January festival with great zeal and vigor.
Click Here for Makar Sankrati Live Darshan from 600 Years old Navgraha Surya Mandir Khargone India
Click Here for Participant in Makar Sankranti Puja.
