Sankranti - A Hindu Festival

India is an incredible land of revered fasts and festivals where pious people relish all religious days, and one of the auspicious occasions for Hindus is 'Makar Sankrant'. This sacred day of 'Lord Sun' or 'Surya Narayan Devta' is celebrated on January 14 or 15 of every year in all parts of India with a divine credence and with a great pump of joys. 'Sankarant' will be celebrated on 15.01.2016 in the coming year. 'Makar Sankrant' means the Sun enters the' Makar Rashi' or Capricorn sign on January. In Tamil Nadu, New Year begins from the date of 'Sankrat'. Different cultural people enuciate various names of 'Sankranthi'.It is 'Thai Pongal' for South Indian, 'Uttarayan' for Gujartis , 'Makar Sankranti' or 'Til Sankrant' for Norther Indians and 'Tirmauri' for Sindhis.

Various convictions of Hindus about Makar Sankrant Festival

Apparently, Different people have different religious notions. Some Hindus opine that this special day introduced when the Lord Shiva bestowed his benisons towards his disciples and devotees on this day. Some mythologists have faith that the Sun moves to meet his son Saturn on this day. This meeting of Sun and Saturn is celebrated as 'Makar Sankranti'.

Another belief, Bhisma Pitamah in Mahabharat decided to leave his body on this day and so from that day, Sankrant is celebrated. Healthwise, this day is also very auspicious, especially to overcome skin ailments. Direct Rays of Sun on this day is very beneficial to remove deceases related to skin.

Sankrant Celebration

The day begins with the bathing rituals and worshiping Lord Surya, as the Lord Surya offers knowledge, spiritual light and wisdom, and worshiping this Lord we can come out from the dark periods of our life. Many people also like to visit Haridwar to take holy dips in Gana River and go to Allahabad for experiencing the sensation of Sangama (Confluence) of three major rivers-Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. It is said that on this day, Ganga followed Bhagirath to reach the hermitage of saint Kapil and had fallen into the ocean. So,bathing in river Ganga and giving donations on shrines is conceived fruitful.

Astrological myths about Sankranthi

Indian Astrologists opine that this day marks the transition of the Sun from Dhanu Rashi (Sagittarius) to Makar Rashi (Capricorn) on its celestial path. Sankranth is also symbol of a new life. The weather starts changing from this auspicious occasion. Sankranti gives a signal for arrival of spring season and closing of winter season.

Different Names of Sankrant in different culture

Different states in India celebrate this day with innumerable ways depending on their various cultures.In North India, this festival is also know as 'Til Sankrant', as people enjoy eating delicious dishes like til papdi, revdi, til laddoo and other food items which are prepared from sesame. Traditional taste of Khichdi,Dahi and chivda makes this day yummy. Many believers appreciate charity a way of getting the utmost happiness, so they distribute food items like rise, cereals, clothes and important assets to poor or needy people.

If you are fond of seeing colourful skies with full of kites and echo of crowd then don't miss to see the festival of Uttarayan. Makar Sankrant is traditionally known as 'Uttarayan' in Gujarat. People of all ages willingly fly endless number of colourful kites in this day. This day is also famous in the world with the name 'Kite Festival of Gujarat'. In Uttrayan, Sun begins to move northwards which indicates the decline of winter and arrival of spring season.

In Maharashtra, Marathi people recognize this occasion as the day of continuing good relationship with each other. They distribute 'tilgul' and til laddo among relatives and neighbors saying 'tilgul ghya, god god bola', means 'Partake this tilgul and speak sugary '.

South People celebrate this occasion as a 'festival of harvest' with a popular name 'Pongal' means 'boiling over'. They believe that the boiling over of milk in the clay pot denotes a great quantity of wealth at home. In fact, they cook number of luscious dishes using a vast amount of milk. In Tamil Nadu and Karnatka, South people cut harvest and offer crops to God for coming the blissful days in family.

Makar Sankranthi is 'Bhogali Bihu', a harvest festival, for people of north-east India, which is delightfully celebrated with the enjoyment of eating, and dancing in the state of Assam. Animal fights like Bird-fight, buffalo- fight are the major sights on this occasion. Gathering in a group, they melodiously play dhol, taal, papa, flute and other harmonious music instruments which really mesmerize listeners.

Last but not least, whatever the reason is behind for this Hindu festival, it is really an enchanting occasion that religiously touch our heart and soul. In the year 2016, once again people are thrillingly going to celebrate this festival on January 15.