India’s diverse cultures and customs are among the country’s most amazing characteristics. Think about Makar Sankranti. An event honoring the arrival of spring is held here. Farmers start their harvest at this time and thank the Sun God. This holiday is known by numerous names and is observed in varied ways around the nation. Let’s take a look at Makar Sankranti 2023 Festival – Home Celebrations.
Makar Sankranti is celebrated in nearly every state of the Country. Did you know that other countries, like Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Singapore, also celebrate it?
Makar Sankranti Festival: Other Names
There are various names for Makar Sankranti throughout the country, as shown in the below table.
| State | Other names for the Makar Sankranti festival |
| Andhra Pradesh | Pedda Panduga |
| Telangana | Makara Sankranti |
| Himachal Pradesh | Maghi Saaji or Magha Ra Saza |
| Gujarat | Uttarayan |
| Haryana | Maghi |
| Tamil Nadu | Pongal |
| Karnataka | Suggi |
| Maharashtra | Makar Sankranti |
| Odisha | Makara Sankranti |
| Punjab | Maghi |
| Kerala | Makaravilakku |
| Tripura | Poush Sankranti |
| Uttar Pradesh | Kicheri |
| West Bengal | Poush Sankranti |
| Bihar | Dahi Chura or Til Sakraat |
When is Makar Sankranti 2023?
Makar Sankranti can be celebrated for as little as a day in some states, while it can last for as long as 3-4 days in others. The main Makar Sankranti festival for 2023 takes place on January 15th. Celebrations begin on January 14th and continue until January 17th. Let’s take a look at Makar Sankranti 2023 Festival – Home Celebrations.
Significance of Makar Sankranti
Capricorn’s zodiac sign is Makar or Makaram. Sankranti denotes a transfer or movement. This event occurs on the day the sun enters the Capricorn sign. The weather gradually improves starting on Makar Sankranti day, signaling the change from winter to spring. As trees and bushes bloom, farmers harvest their harvest and prepare to plant crops for the following season.
The Makar Sankranti event is known as the Harvest Festival for obvious reasons. In areas where farming is still a key industry, people eagerly anticipate and enjoy the holiday.
Both Men and women wake up before sunrise and take a bath. To wash away their misdeeds from the previous year and start the New Year on a good note, people prefer to take baths in rivers that are flowing on this day.
To ensure a successful crop for the remainder of the year, they make prasad, adorn their home, and offer prayers to the Sun God.
Celebrating Makar Sankranti at Home
While Makar Sankranti is observed in various ways across the country, there are certain universal aspects. You can adhere to these to ensure you invoke the Sun God’s blessings.
- Take a bath after getting up early, ideally before sunrise.
- Put on brand-new clothing to set the holiday mood.
- Before the celebration, make sure the house is clean. It might be wise to paint your home at this time and remove any unnecessary clutter.
- Create a menu in advance. Make sure to prepare a special meal for the family.
- Decorate and light the puja chamber with diyas.
- If you regularly do so, go to a place of worship like a temple.
- Send Makar Sankranti greetings to neighbours, friends, and family while providing them with treats.
- Eat a meal as a family at least once.
- Purchase some kites so you can fly them at night. This is a fantastic method of occupying kids at home.
- Give cattle fruits, jaggery, or greens.
Different Ways Makar Sankranti Festival is Celebrated in India
Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu: Makar Sankranti is a four-day celebration in these states: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu. On the first day, known as Bhogi, household items that are no longer needed or wanted are disposed of or burned on bonfires. On this day, the celebrations get underway. Here is Makar Sankranti 2023 Festival – Home Celebrations.
The tradition of building bonfires for festivals exists in Assam as well. Around these flames, some communities cook and share meals.
The primary festival is held on the second day, with cow worship and family and friend honoring activities taking place on the third and fourth days.
Gujarat: On Uttarayan, the state’s Makar Sankranti festival celebration, kite flying is one of the event’s customary celebrations, and Gujarat also holds an international kite festival. The activity of kite flying attracts participants from other nations, and the entire state dons a vibrant appearance. On that day, kite flying is highly popular, and you can see people partaking with great passion throughout.
Punjab: People go to the rivers early in the morning to take a dip, and fairs are held all over the province in both urban and rural regions. Most people go to the surrounding Gurudwaras, and afterward, there is a delicious feast. For Makar Sankranti, the genuine dance of the state, the bhangra, is performed in front of friends and family.
Rajasthan: To commemorate Makar Sankranti, Rajasthan also holds a statewide kite festival. On this day, a special dinner called Sankrant Bhoj is made, which comprises a variety of sweet and savoury items. People offer bhoj and invite friends and relatives to their houses.
Uttarakhand: The Uttarayani Mela is one of the highlights of Makar Sankranti in Uttarakhand. Thousands of people attend this fair yearly, which was organized specifically for this celebration.
Conclusion to Makar Sankranti Festival
Festivals are designed to unite the family and celebrate so that you become closer and anticipate special occasions. The celebration of Makar Sankranti honors farmers for their dedication to putting food on the tables of billions of people.
On this day, try to cook with organic and cruelty-free ingredients. Most cultures advocate giving food to the less fortunate at the Makar Sankranti celebration. To invoke the blessings of God, you could do that.
If you haven’t already, experiment with new customs like building bonfires or flying kites. It’s always fun to discover fresh strategies for staying active during a festival. Don’t forget to wish Makar Sankranti to everyone you know. Give out sweets to everyone to celebrate the festival.
Also Read: Vastu Shastra for Animals: Tips for Keeping Birds and Pets at Home
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