Makar Sankranti Meaning

Makar Sankranti is of great importance to a devote Hindu and is one of the most important dates in the Hindu calendar. Sankranti is considered to be a deity. According to Hindu mythology, the deity Sankranti slayed a sprite called Sankarasur on the day of Makar sankrant Lord Surya (Sun God) is worshiped on this day.

Every living and non-living being combines with the Brahman and Sun is the Pratyaksha-Brahman or the Brahman that can be seen. The significance of Sun to earth and to the living beings was understood by Hindus from the very beginning. And the significance of it can be found in the Gayatri Mantra chanted to Sun (Surya) daily. Taking a dip in the holy rivers on this day is regarded as most auspicious. A big one-month long 'Magha-Mela' fair commences at Prayag (Allahabad) on this occasion. Apart from Triveni, ritual bathing also takes place at many places like Haridvar and Garh Mukteshwar in Uttar Pradesh, and Patna in Bihar.

Festival of Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is one of the most religious and auspicious days for the Hindus, and is celebrated in almost all parts of the country in myriad cultural forms, with great devotion, fervor & gaiety. On Makar Sankranti, the biggest fair on the face of the earth called Kumbh Mela is held once in twelve years at the holy confluence of Rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati.

The festival of Makar Sankrant habitually coincides with the beginning of the Sun's northward journey (the Uttarayan) when it enters the sign of Makar (the Capricorn). It falls on the 14th of January every year according to the Solar Calendar. Lakhs of people take a dip in places like Ganga Sagar & Prayag and pray to Lord Sun.