Makar Sankranti 2022: Know The Date, Significance And All About The Festival

The first significant festival in India is Makar Sankranti. The winter solstice comes to an end, and there is a lot of excitement for the start of the harvest season. This sacred festival is observed in diverse ways throughout India. This day symbolises the sun's movement from Dakshinayan to Uttarayan and is marked with great enthusiasm. The days get longer after Makar Sankranti, as the winter season gradually fades away. The harvest festival honours Lord Surya, the Sun God, and symbolises the sun's movement into Makara (Capricorn) raashi (zodiac sign).

Makar Sankranti 2022 Date

Makar Sankranti will be observed on January 14 this year. This Hindu celebration is commemorated across India with great zeal and passion by organising get-togethers and flying kites. People do charity and prepare special dishes of Makar Sankranti such as Dahi Chuda, Khichri, and sweets made of Til or sesame, and jaggery on this day. People embrace the spring season on this day, which is also known as the start of the harvest festival.

Significance Of Makar Sankranti

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the festivities may not be as vibrant as in previous years, however, devotees traditionally take a dip in sacred rivers such as the Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna, and Cauvery on this day. For believers, taking bath in rivers washes away their sins; it is also seen as a time of peace and prosperity, and countless spiritual deeds are performed on this day.

In Gujarat, kite flying is a part of the Makar Sankranti celebrations. Surya Devta, or Sun god, is worshipped during this festival. Farmers all around India express their gratitude to the Sun God and ask for a bountiful harvest.

Various Names Of Makar Sankranti

The festival is predominantly celebrated in the Indian Subcontinent, although it is also celebrated by Indians and Hindus all over the world. Depending on where they are held, Makar Sankranti celebrations are called by a variety of names. It is preceded by Lohri and is known as Maghi among Hindus and Sikhs of northern India. In Maharashtra, Goa, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana, Makara Sankranti is known as Poush sôngkrnti, and Sukarat in central India. Assamese celebrate it as Magh Bihu, and Tamils as Pongal. In Gujarat and Rajasthan, Makar Sankranti is known as Uttarayan while in Kerala as Makaravilakku.