Makar Sankranti is usually celebrated on 14th January. The direct connection of Makar Sankranti to this festival is associated with the planet's geography and the state of the sun. On this day, the Sun comes on the Makar Line after Uttarayan. That is why the festival of Makar Sankranti is celebrated on this day. A few days around Makar Sankranti, festivals are celebrated according to different names and traditions throughout the country.
From an astrological point of view: Seeing from astrology perspective, Makar Sankranthi is a very important festival. It is also mentioned in the scriptures. Makar Sankranthi is the day when the sun sighed and left the zodiac sign in the Capricorn. And with this, the speed of getting up to it begins. This is considered auspicious time. It is believed that on this day, the Sun had deserted his son Shani, and had gone to his house, hence this day is considered as a day of happiness and prosperity. The spring also starts from this day. That is why Makar Sankranti is celebrated with the opportunity and symbol of happiness and prosperity.
According to culture: Makar Sankranti also has its own importance in the cultural diversity of India. This festival is celebrated in most parts of the country. However, the names and the prevailing traditions are different. For example, in the southern states of Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka, it is called Sankranthi only. Talking about Tamil Nadu, this festival goes on for four days and it is called Pongal. In Punjab and Haryana, it is called Lohri. Bihu is the same in Assam which is ours, namely Makar Sankranti in North India.
Food and Diet Special: After applying sesame seeds to Makar Sankranti, there is a religious belief in the bath. People gather for a bath in holy rivers and there are fairs also. Rice and pulse are cooked and it is eaten with ghee and jaggery. Laddus or gajak made of sesame and jaggery are also eaten and fed with big chicks. Granting of sesame, jaggery, khichdi, blanket, and umbrella is also important and recognized. Many women also donate the things related to the sweetheart.
Sun's happiness: Importance of bathing and donation It is believed that Sun Narayana is pleased and paves the way for success and prosperity in life. After bathing with sesame seeds, water is offered to the Sun God and they are worshiped. After this, donations are made. According to religious beliefs, on the day of Makar Sankranti, the Sun abandoned the resentment of his son Shani, and went to his house, hence this day is considered as a day of happiness and prosperity.
Spring start: After Makar Sankranti, the chill of winter begins to end and the sun gets brighter. This happens due to the Sun's Uttarayan. The day is big and the nights start to become smaller. Altogether, spring is the arrival and the weather gets cheerful. A lot of literary works have also been done regarding the arrival of spring. Crops are grown in most parts of the country. Pongal and Lohri are symbols of this. That is, this is an economical time for the farmer. It is said that in Mahabharata, Bhishma's father-in-law would have sacrificed his life on the day of Makar Sankranti.
