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In Hindu calendar, there are total twelve Sankranti in a year. All twelve Sankranti can be divided into four categories which are known as Ayan, Vishuva, Vishnupadi and Shadshitimukhi Sankranti. About 12 Sankranti provides detailed information on the categorization of Sankranti and their significance in Hindu Calendar.
Among all Sankranti, Makar Sankranti is the most significant one and it is observed throughout India. Due to the popularity of Makar Sankranti, it is just known as Sankranti. In South India, Makar Sankranti is observed for four days. Makar Sankranti Calendar lists all events and rituals which are followed during four days of Sankranti festivities.
Sankranti days are considered good for charity activities and all auspicious ceremonies are avoided on the day of Sankranti(s).
Makar Sankranti is four days festivity period which is dedicated to Lord Sun. All rituals during Makar Sankranti are gestures of thanksgiving to natural resources which make life possible on the Earth. The Sun God is worshipped for bestowing good harvest and nurturing livestock. The cattle especially bulls and oxen are worshipped for their significance in traditionally ploughing fields.
Makar Sankranti is celebrated throughout India. In North India people take holy dip in Ganga on Makar Sankranti day. Thousands of people throng Hindu pilgrimage places like Haridwar, Banaras and Allahabad to take holy dip in Ganga. It is believed that holy dip in Ganga on Sankranti purges all sins committed by the person. Makar Sankranti is also the main bathing day at Ganga Sagar Mela which is held near Kolkata. Sikh community especially in Punjab and Haryana celebrates Lohri one day before Sankranti.
Makar Sankranti is known as Uttarayan in Gujarat. Uttarayan is a significant festival in Gujarat which lasts for two days. The main day of Makar Sankranti is known as Uttarayan and the next day of Uttarayan is known as Vasi Uttarayan or stale Uttarayan. The day is considered highly auspicious and is dedicated to Lord Surya.
In Tamil Nadu people celebrate Makar Sankranti as Pongal. Pongal is celebrated for four days but the most important day of Pongal festivity is known as Thai Pongal and it is celebrated on Makar Sankranti day. Thai Pongal is followed by Mattu Pongal and Kaanum Pongal. The day before Thai Pongal is known as Bhogi.
In Andhra Pradesh, similar to Tamil Nadu, Makar Sankranti is celebrated for four days. The day before Sankranti is known as Bhogi Pandigai. The main Sankranti day is known as Pedda Panduga, which is followed by Kanuma Panduga and Mukkanuma.
In Kerala, the most important event on Makar Sankranti is Makaravilakku. The world famous Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple celebrates Sankranti during evening by lighting Makaravilakku. Makaravilakku is artificial light that is created three times at a distant hill. Thousands of devotees wait for Makaravilakku as it symbolizes celestial lighting at Sabarimala Hills.
Sankranti is believed to be an auspicious day and the duration of Punya Kaal or Mahapunya Kaal is considered even more auspicious.Normally, Sankranti falls at dates between 13th and 17thof each month.
On the day of Sankranti, devotees take a dip in holy water believing this will help them get rid of their previous life's sins and seek forgiveness from god. Peace, prosperity and good health also prevails in the home of those who observe and celebrate Sankranti following all rituals with complete reverence.
Preforming pooja rituals, donating food and other material to poor and needy are some major activities associated with this festival and is supposed to bring good fortune to the devotees, especially if done in the duration of Punya Kaal or Mahapunya Kaal. Sankranti Punya Kaal varies from one location to another depending on the position of the Sun.
Kumbha Sankranti is on 13th of February this year. Though, all 12 Sankrantis are auspicious, still Kumbha Sankranti has its own importance. Offering to cows and taking bath in Ganges particularly in Triveni is considered truly auspicious on this day. This day also marks the beginning of the 11th month in Hindu Solar Calendar.
On the day of Makar Sankranti, people start by taking a holy bath at the time of sunrise. Although many people prefer dipping in the holy waters of any scared river (Ganga or Yamuna), people can bathe at their homes as well. Bathing in sacred river is believed to result in merit or absolution of past sins.
After that, they worship the deity Sun and other gods and goddesses are worshipped too. There is no ritual for observing fast on this day and rather special meals are prepared for Sankranti celebration like dahi, choora, khichdi, etc. Devotees also donate food and other important items to the poor people. Flying kite is also one famous ritual of Sankranti but is mostly done at the time of Makar Sankranti. Other Sankrantis are mostly limited to praying to the Sun and distributing alms among the poors.
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