Makar Sankranti is a prominent Hindu holiday that celebrates the sun’s transition into the Capricorn zodiac sign (Makara), signalling the end of winter and the beginning of longer days. Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.

 Significance:

 This festival honours Surya, the sun deity, and marks the beginning of the auspicious six-month period known as Uttarayana. It is a time for spiritual reflection, gratitude for a bountiful harvest, and the start of the harvest season. 

 Makar Sankranti is celebrated throughout India with various customs: Kite Flying: In Gujarat and Maharashtra, people fly kites as a metaphor of striving for the sun. 

 In Punjab, the holiday is known as Lohri and is celebrated with bonfires and traditional dances. In Pongal is a Tamil Nadu festival that is celebrated by making the dish ‘Pongal’ and presenting it to the deities. Holy Baths: Devotees take ritual dips in sacred rivers, thinking that they cleanse past misdeeds. Sweets Preparation: Delicacies made from sesame seeds and jaggery, such as til-gud laddoos, are produced and shared to represent unity and joy. Each area contributes a distinct flavour to the celebrations, reflecting India’s vast cultural diversity.

 In Telangana, Makar Sankranti is known as ‘Pedda Panduga,’ a prominent harvest festival. The celebrations last three days:

 1. Bhogi: On the first day, old items are discarded in a bonfire to symbolise the eradication of negativity. 

2. Sankranti: The major day is celebrated with prayers, feasts, and cultural activities.

 

3. Kanuma: The third day focusses on cattle worship, recognising them.role in agriculture.

 Traditional foods include ‘Sakkarai Pongal’ (sweet rice) and ‘Ariselu’ (sweet rice cakes), which are prepared and enjoyed with family and friends. The event promotes communal togetherness and gratitude for the harvest, exemplifying the spirit of regeneration and prosperity.

In the Hindu calendar, Sankranti is the monthly transfer of the sun from one zodiac sign to the next. Each of these transitions has religious importance and is commemorated with different rites throughout India. Here are the Sankranti dates in 2025

 Makar Sankranti, which falls on January 14th, marks the sun’s arrival into Capricorn and is extensively celebrated as a harvest festival throughout India. 

Each Sankranti is regarded auspicious for specific rites and charity works, while the observance and cultural practices vary by area.