Why do we celebrate Makar Sakranti?

Answer 1

Makar Sankranti is the only Hindu festival which is based on the Solar calendar rather than the Lunar calendar. The festival is celebrated by taking dips in the Ganga or any river and offering water to the Sun god. The dip is said to purify the self and bestow punya. Special puja is offered as a thanksgiving for good harvest.

Since the festival is celebrated in the mid winter, the food prepared for this festival are such that they keep the body warm and give high energy. Laddu of til made with Jaggery (Gur)is specialty of the festival.In Maharshtra it is called 'Tilgul', but the place where it is celebrated with much pomp is Andhra Pradesh, where the festival is celebrated for 3 days and is more of a cultural festival unlike an auspicious day as in other parts of india.


i hope u got the answer...

Answer 2

Makar Sankranti is the day when the Sun begins its ascendancy and entry into the Northern Hemisphere. Sun for the Hindus stands for Pratyaksha-Brahman - the manifest God, who symbolizes, the one, non-dual, self-effulgent, glorious divinity blessing one & all tirelessly. Sun is the one who transcends time and also the one who rotates the proverbial Wheel of Time.

Makar means Capricorn and Sankranti is transition. There is a sankranti every month when the sun passes from one sign of the zodiac to the next. There are twelve signs of the zodiac, and thus there are twelve sankranti's as well. Each of these sankranti's has its own relative importance but two of these are more important - the Mesh (Aries) Sankranti and the most important, the Makar (Capricorn) Sankranti. Transition of the Sun from Sagittarius to Capricorn, during the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere is known as Makar Sankranti.

Answer 3

The co-relation of cosmic events with individual life and values is one of the most astounding traits of Hindu Masters. Once this co-relation is brought about thereafter these cosmic events become instrumental to remind us the best which we cherish & value. Of all the cosmic bodies Sun is the most glorious & important, thus every sun-centric cosmic event became very important spiritual, religious & cultural events. On Makar Sankranti day the Sun begins its ascendancy and journey into the Northern Hemisphere, and thus it signifies an event wherein the Gods seem to remind their children that 'Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya'. May you go higher & higher - to more & more Light and never to darkness.
In Tamil Nadu Sankrant is known by the name of ‘Pongal’, which takes its name from the surging of rice boiled in a pot of milk, and this festival has more significance than even Diwali. It is very popular particularly amongst farmers. Rice and pulses cooked together in ghee and milk is offered to the family deity after the ritual worship. In essence in the South this Sankrant is a ‘Puja’ (worship) for the Sun God.

Answer 4

The reason behind celebrating Pongal or Makar sankranti is astrological. The sun changes His path on this day @ Makara Vrutta--Tropic of Capricorn.

Answer 5

On Makar sankranti The Sun enters Makar rashi of the zodiac and starts it's northward journey, that is, it becomes" Uttarayan" and that is considered auspicious.

Answer 6

Why Do We Celebrate Uttarayan

Answer 7

India is a vast country and practice differs from place to place, it would make it easier if you specify the region where you observed a practice. I assume you are talking about the Andra region. "Sankranti Subbhakaankshalu!!Wishing you a memorable festive season which brings good luck & prosperity and hoping your days ahead are filled with happiness.Have a wonderful Bhogi & Pongal." “Unity in diversity”…this phrase is apt in identifying India in its diversity of religious beliefs and the cultural traditions of the different states.One festival which clearly reflects that is Sankranti ,one of the most colorful and popular festivals of Andhra celebrated with a lot of fervor and enthusiasm.Sankranti is a secular harvest festival celebrated in most parts of India under different names .. Sankranti(A.P,Karnataka),Pongal(Tamil Nadu),Makar Sankranti (Maharastra and Gujarat) and Lohri (Punja and Haryana). Sankranti which is the most important festival for us Telugus and is called 'Pedda Panduga' ( big festival) signifying that it is a time to discard the old and welcome the new and is the harbinger of more light and sunshine in life.Sankranti is celebrated over four days, the first day(13th Jan) is called 'Bhogi', the second day(14th) is 'Sankranti', the third day(15th) is, 'Kanuma' and the fourth day (16th), 'Mukkanuma'. Inspite of the fast changing times with people migrating from villages to bigger cities in search of greener pastures and with cities expanding ,the spirit behind the way we celebrate our festivals has not quite changed.Bhogi,the first day is marked with gaiety and is celebrated on the eve of Sankranti or Pongal in all its entirety with traditional practices and customs which have been followed since our forefathers. Early in the morning at 4 a.m ,a bonfire (Bhogimantalu) is lit on the occasion of Bhogi symbolizing ringing out the old to ring in the new.Old brooms, baskets,clothes,junk firewood,broken wooden furniture are all thrown into the fire signifying the cleansing of the house and a fresh start to the new year.Life is seen as a continuous renewal.This is the picture of our Bhogimantalu on Bhogi day at 5 a.mDuring this entire festive season women decorate their ‘vaakili’(the entrance to the house/front porch) with 'muggu/kolam/rangoli' of varied hues and sizes and place Gobbemmalu (small balls made from cow dung and decorated with marigold and pumpkin flowers)in the center.Muggulu are artistic intricate patterns drawn with hand on a washed surface using rice flour or chalk powder and decorated with colors and flowers and bring out the richness and uniqueness of Indian tradition and culture. Every muggu is reflective of the art and artistic capabilities that each woman possesses and is a celebration of life.Here's a picture of a simple 'Muggu' which my 3 year old help color this evening..:) In the evening many homes with children (below 4-5 years) arrange Bommala Kolluvu (arrangement of an array of toys and dolls) and Bhogipalla perentam (a gathering of women guests and relatives) where a mixture of regi pandlu(berries),senagalu (soaked and drained whole chick peas),flower petals,slices of sugar cane and small coins are showered over the heads of children dressed in new clothes to trickle down the blessings of elders,family and friends and remove 'dhristi '(protect from any evil eye). All the guests and relatives who are invited for the Perentamu are given a gift pack of assorted items (tambulam) which includes clothes, lentils, betel leaves, betel nuts, bananas, traditional sweets,flowers, turmeric and kumkuma.

Answer 8

cause this day summers starts and first kiran {ray} of sun faals on northern hemisphere...

Answer 9

new fruits new seeds and sun rises from north on this day ,new season starts.