Makar Sankranti 2022: History, significance & celebrations on Makar Sankranti

January marks termination of Winter season and beginning of a new harvest season and this is time when entire country is in a festive mood celebrating harvesting season. As we are inching closer to auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti, here we bring you every detail about  history, significance and celebrations of Makar Sankranti. This year Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on 14th of January.

History and Significance of Makar Sankranti 

Makar Sakranti is also known as Uttarayan and it has its own historical and religious significance in India. This festival is celebrated to worship Surya Devta or Sun god. Farmers across India pay ir gratitude to Sun god and take a dip in holy river of Ganga and wish for a good crop. As per popular belief's Sankranti was a deity, who killed an evil spirit called Sankarasur. In India, it is a date when sun starts to move towards north, as, before Makar Sankranti, sun was riating on sourn half of globe. Hindus trust this period to be Uttarayan or time of auspiciousness.

Makar Sankranti celebrations across Nation

It is known by different names in different states of India like in Punjab and parts of Haryana people celebrate Makar Sankranti as Lohri. In Tamil Nu, people celebrate it as Pongal. On this day we clean and decorate our houses to bring in prosperity. Besides, food plays a major role during Makar Sankranti. 

•  In Punjab one day before Makar Sankranti, Lohri is celebrated with enthusiasm. At night, people gar around bonfire and throw til, puffed rice & popcorns into flames of fire. And y pray for prosperity, health and wealth.
• In Tamil Nu, harvesting of rice and sugarcane is done during this time. vibrant occasion of Pongal continues for 4 days starting from 14 January and during se days people paint ir shelters, decorate cattle and also carry out religious processions.
• In Bihar, Makar Sankranti festival is known as Khichdi. On this day, donating ur, rice, gold, woollen clos, blankets, etc. has its own importance and people prepare khichdi with newly harvested rice and dal to mark this auspicious day.
•  People in Maharashtra prepare Puran Poli and tilachi loo (til loo) and distribute m among friends and family.
•  In Gujarat, Makar Sankranti is all about flying colourful kites and enjoying delicacies prepared with til and jaggery.
• In Bengal, people make pi-puli (sweet dish) and payesh (kheer) with newly harvested rice and fresh jaggery and milk.

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