Introduction
Makar Sankranti is a significant celebration in India that reflects the vibrant Indian culture and traditions. People across the country come together to mark this special day in January, which is associated with the worship of Lord Sankrantian.
In Hindu mythology, Lord Sankrantian is revered for defeating the demon Sankarasur on Makar Sankranti. The festival holds immense importance as it symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. People celebrate Makar Sankranti to seek blessings from the deity and ward off any potential negative influences.
One unique aspect of Makar Sankranti is its connection to the harvest season. It is a time when farmers rejoice in the bountiful harvest, and the entire community comes together to celebrate the abundance of crops. This festival serves as a reminder of the deep connection between nature and the lives of people in India.
There are twelve Sankrantis in a year. These are twelve days in a year when the Sun moves from one constellation to another. From Makar Sankranti, the Sun starts moving towards the North direction which is also known as Uttarayan.
Uttarayan is regarded as the period of Divinity.
~ Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Significance of Makar Sankranti:
Why Makar Sankranti is Celebrated?
Makar Sankranti in 2024 falls on January 14, and it signifies the removal of negative energies. The term ‘Makara’ translates to ‘Capricorn,’ and the festival marks the sun’s transition into the Capricorn zodiac sign. This day is a joyful celebration, marking the end of the cold winter months and the beginning of spring.
The festival honours Surya, the Sun God, thanking him for the energy that sustains life and food on Earth. It’s also a harvest festival, bringing joy and celebration to farming communities as they reap the rewards of their hard work.
How is Makar Sankranti Celebrated in India?
Makar Sankranti, an Indian festival observed in various states around mid-January, coincides with Pongal in Tamil Nadu and Lohri in Punjab. While these celebrations mark harvest festivals across India, the country’s diverse traditions shine through with unique customs and practices in each state. People express their joy for Makar Sankranti through various means, including creating Makar Sankranti Banners, Posters, and Instagram stories. Makar Sankranti Poster Makers and wishes banners are commonly used to share festive greetings. The lively celebrations and cultural richness make this occasion a vibrant and colorful part of India’s diverse traditions.
Uttarayan in Gujarat:
In Gujarat, the 6-month period between Makar Sankranti and Karka Sankranti is celebrated as Uttarayan. A key festival in the state, it features lively kite competitions organized across Gujarat. Uttarayan is a time of joy, and people express their happiness by flying vibrant kites, symbolizing the festive spirit. Alongside this, delightful sweets made of sesame and jaggery are shared, enhancing the celebratory atmosphere. Residents also create Uttarayan Posters, Uttarayan Banners, and Uttarayan Images to share the festive vibe, using Uttarayan Templates to add a personalized touch to their celebrations.
Makar Sankranti in Maharashtra:
Makar Sankranti in Maharashtra is a delightful celebration highlighted by the preparation of traditional delicacies like til-gudladdoo. People share til (sesame) and gud (jaggery) to foster better relations among relatives, creating a warm and joyful atmosphere. Alongside these customs, various sweets such as halwa and GulachiPoli are crafted, adding sweetness to the festivities. Women embrace the tradition of welcoming guests with haldi-kumkum, believing it ushers in wealth and good fortune. As families come together, Makar Sankranti becomes a time of joy, sweetness.
In addition, Makar Sankranti is embraced through creative expressions with Makar Sankranti Posters, Banner, Makar Sankranti Images, and Makar Sankranti Templates. These visual elements add a festive touch to the celebration, making the occasion visually vibrant and filled with the spirit of Makar Sankranti.
Lohri in Punjab:
Lohri, celebrated on the coldest days of the year, is not limited to Punjab but also observed in Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, and Haryana. Festivities include singing and dancing events, with people wearing new clothes and dancing around bonfires to the beats of dhol. The celebration takes place on the night before Sankranti, featuring folk songs and vibrant dances that bring communities together in the warmth of the fire. Lohri Poster Makers, Lohri Banners, Lohri Images, and Lohri Templates add a creative touch to the celebration, allowing people to share the joy and spirit of Lohri through visually appealing displays.
Pongal in Tamil Nadu:
Tamil Nadu joyously observes the four-day Pongal festival, each day brimming with significance and cultural fervor. During Bhogi Pandigai, the tradition involves the disposal of old clothes, believed to eliminate evil powers. Thai Pongal is marked by the preparation of a special rice dish using milk and gud, accompanied by the exchange of gifts to foster brotherhood. Mattu Pongal is dedicated to expressing gratitude to cattle for their role in agriculture, emphasizing the importance of these animals. Kaanum Pongal symbolizes the festivities adorned with new clothes and exchanged gifts, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
To enhance the celebration, people often use Pongal Posters, Pongal Poster Makers, Pongal Banners, Pongal Images, and Templates, creatively showcasing the spirit of the festival in various forms of visual expression. These additions further amplify the festive joy and cultural significance of Pongal in Tamil Nadu.
Bhogali Bihu in Assam:
Assam embraces the day with fervor, celebrating it as Megh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu. The festivities revolve around fresh crops as farmers partake in joyous activities, including the arrangement of bonfires and feasts.
Following Assamese tradition, a unique practice involves constructing a mud home for dining, which is ceremoniously burned the next day. The celebrations are further enriched with exciting games such as bullfighting and jar-breaking, showcasing the lively spirit of the occasion.
To add a visual dimension to the celebration, people often utilize Bihu Posters, Bihu Poster Makers, Banners, Images, and Templates. These creative elements become a means of expressing and sharing the cultural vibrancy of Bhogali Bihu in Assam, contributing to the festive atmosphere and connecting communities through visual representation.
Sankranti in Rajasthan:
Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Sakrat in Rajasthan and people here come up with delicious sweets like ghevar, til-patti, pheeni, pakodi, puwa etc. They also organize kite competitions and it’s one of the main attractions of Sakrat. Daughters/sisters visit their parents’ houses to receive Sakrat blessings and they serve dry khichdi and til-ladoo to guests.
To enhance the visual celebration of Sakrat, people often employ Sankranti Posters, Sankranti Poster Makers, Banners, Images, and Templates.
These creative elements contribute to the festive ambiance, allowing individuals to visually express and share the joyous spirit of Sankranti in Rajasthan, creating a lively connection with the cultural traditions of the region.
Posh Sankranti in West Bengal:
West Bengal people celebrate Makar Sankranti as Posh Sankranti and they have a tradition of serving pithas. There are several lip-smacking pitha recipes and the flavors and aroma will bring the heavenly pleasure. Patishaptapitha and chusipitha are the most popular recipes and the sweet taste will make the day special. They use the Khajurgur or jiggery to prepare the recipes and the winters become memorable.
Khichdi in Uttar Pradesh:
People in Uttar Pradesh take holy dips in the Ganges or Yamuna River. Every 12 years the holy KUmh Mela is organized in Prayagraj and it’s the most auspicious gathering. People from different corners of India visit Prayagraj to take dips in the holy river. People also take part in flying kites and the same rituals are followed in Bihar and Jharkhand.
Makar Sankranti Across Borders:
Festivities Beyond India
Uncover the diverse celebrations of Makar Sankranti worldwide! In Nepal, it takes the form of Maghe Sankranti, symbolizing the dispelling of evil powers on the first day of the Magh month. Pakistan’s Singh province showcases love through the exchange of til-laddoos, and in Bangladesh, Makar Sankranti transforms into Shakrain, marked by the exhilarating tradition of kite-flying on this propitious day.
International Kite Festival 2024:
A Global Extravaganza in Ahmedabad
Since 1989, Ahmedabad has been the proud host of the International Kite Festival, a captivating part of the official Uttarayan celebrations. This grand event draws master kite makers and flyers from across the globe, showcasing their unique creations and dazzling the crowds with extraordinary kites. Over the years, participants have brought a stunning variety, from Malaysia’s wau-balang kites to Indonesia’s llayang-llayang, giant banner kites from the USA, Japanese Rokkaku Fighting Kites, Italian Sculptural Kites, And Chinese flying dragons. The festival has also embraced the latest high-tech innovations in kite making.
Intriguingly, the International Kite Festival in Gujarat has caught the attention of none other than PM Narendra Modi, who has been supportive of this global celebration of Uttarayan. His encouragement adds to the cultural richness of the event, making it a truly international spectacle that brings together diverse traditions from around the world. The festival not only showcases the art of kite making but also fosters global camaraderie, making it a must-visit event for kite enthusiasts and culture lovers alike.
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Brands.live FAQs: Elevate Your Makar Sankranti Celebrations
A: Makar Sankranti is typically celebrated on January 14 every year. It marks the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makara).
A: People often enjoy sesame seeds, jaggery, and rice-based dishes during Makar Sankranti. Til-gud laddoos, khichdi, and other regional specialties are commonly prepared.
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