A little introduction about Makar Sankranti 2024
Say it kai po che or patang kat liya na tera, yes the delight of cutting other kites during Makar Sankranti is another level of joy. Makar Sankranti 2024 is falling on January 15, 2024. On this day, people usually eat dahi-chura, khichdi, sweets like tilkut, ladoos made of til, and many other things. People usually enjoy this day with kite flying, cutting competitions, and sharing sweets. In this article, you will learn everything about Makar Sankranti.
When you see the celebration on this day, you may wonder: Why is this festival celebrated? Each festival in India has a reason for being celebrated. Well not to worry, as this blog will clear all your queries regarding Makar Sankranti 2024 like the story behind it, rituals, etc.
Concept behind the Makar Sankranti 2024
The word ‘Sankranti’ means movement, and makar Sankranti means the movement of the sun in Capricorn (makar rashi). Going deep, as per the Vedas, when the sun makes a movement from one Rashi to another, then it makes one Sankranti. Altogether, we have 12 Sankranti in a year. It is also known as “Poush Sankranti ” and is one of the most auspicious festivals. So when the sun moves from the southern hemisphere to the northern hemisphere and enters the makar rashi, it says about the end of winter, making it seasonally important too. Now let us know about the Makar Sankranti 2024 story.
The story behind the celebration of Makar Sankranti
Indian culture is so rich that you will find many stories related to history and culture. You will also know about the reasons for the celebration of every festival. One story is about Sankarasur, who is a demon and creates havoc on Earth. Seeing his havoc, Goddess Sankranti appeared and killed him. Another one is from Mahabharat when Bhishma Pitamah decided to leave his mortal body on the day of Sankranti/Uttarayan. These two stories show the reason behind the celebration of Makar Sankranti.
Know about some rituals of Makar Sankranti 2024.
- Makar Sankranti is celebrated all over India. As it is a festival, it also comes with many rituals and traditions. Let us see some of the rituals followed all over India.
- People take holy baths and dip in the Ganges during Makar Sankranti.
- In Allahabad, “magh mela” starts.
- The local people of Punjab lit bonfires on the eve of Sankranti and performed around the sacred fire. They throw rice, and sweets and do Bhangra dance.
- Sweets made of jaggery and sesame in Maharashtra were exchanged during Sankranti. On this day, people greet each other, and married women buy utensils for their houses. Haldi kumkum is one of the old-age traditions in which people exchange gifts.
- In Gujrat, kite flying is the main attraction on Makar Sankranti. People give gifts to younger ones on this day.
- In Tamil Nadu and other parts of southern India, people worship the harvest god. It is customary to offer rice, pulses, milk cooked in ghee, and other sweets to the deity after harvesting the paddy. This is Pongal.
- Ganga Sagar Mela starts in Bengal. People take holy dips on this day and offer morning pujas to the sun god.
More about Makar Sankranti 2024
Makar Sankranti 2024 is one of the most auspicious festivals that is celebrated with great pomp and show. On this day, people eat Khichdi and Dahi chura and exchange sweets. It is the end of the winter season, the win of good over evil.
FAQs
Question 1: When is Makar Sankranti in 2024?
Answer 1. Makar Sankranti 2024 will be celebrated on the 15th of January.
Question 2: What do people do on Makar Sankranti?
Answer 2. People fly kites, eat dahi chura and khichdi, and exchange sweets on this day. In the southern part of Punjab, people celebrate it as the end of the winter season and harvesting crops.
Question 3: What are some of the sweets of Makar Sankranti?
Answer 3. People usually eat dahi, chura, khichdi, sweets like tilkut, ladoos made of til, and many other things.
