Celebrate the Abundance of the Harvest Season with Makar Sankranti 2023: A Fusion of Gratitude, Rituals and Entertainment

Makar Sankranti 2023 is just around the corner and as always it will be celebrated with utmost fun and excitement. Makar Sankranti is a Hindu festival which marks the end of winter and the start of a new harvest season. Unlike the other Hindu festival, Makar Sankranti is based on the lunar calendar as it is determined according to the changing position of the moon.
 
Makar Sankranti 2023: date and time 
In a sense, the Makar Sankranti festival is dedicated to the fresh crop of the season. People across the country pay homage to Mother Earth and it is celebrated under different names in various parts of India. It falls in the lunar month of Magha, corresponding to the month of January. It usually falls on the same date on the 14th or 15th of each year. Except some years where the date can change by one day! 

 
Importance of Makar Sankranti 
Makar Sankranti is the day dedicated to Lord Sun. It is said that on the day of Makar Sankranti, Lord Sun went to visit his son Saturn (ruling planet of Capricorn). He put aside their past differences and went to meet him. Therefore, it is believed that once their conflicts are resolved and relationships improve, the auspicious time begins.
 
Astrologically, during Sankranti, the Sun moves from Sagittarius to Capricorn and remains there for one month. In general, the Sun travels through all signs of the zodiac in one year and stays in all signs for one month. However, the transit during Makar Sankranti is considered the most auspicious. Indeed, Makar Sankranti 2023 will have special significance as the Sun and Saturn will meet after almost thirty years through the transit of the Sun in Capricorn.
 
The Sankranti festival period is of immense importance for sages and yogis. It is an auspicious day for new beginnings in the spiritual journey. Moreover, in general, people consider it the best day for a new beginning and to leave the bitter past behind. In general, Makar Sankranti is more than a festival.
 
Makar Sankranti religious rituals 
During Makar Sankranti, people immerse themselves in the holy water of rivers like Ganga, Yamuna and Godavari as this is believed to bring about merit or absolution for past sins. Along with worshiping Lord Sun by doing Surya Puja and Lord Shani, Gayatri Mantra and Surya Mantra are chanted while the festival is afflicted by Lord Sun and Lord Shani.

 
Other harvest festivals 
Harvest festivals are an integral part of Indian culture. There are many harvest festivals in India and they are believed to be the oldest festivals on the entire map. A harvest festival is giving thanks to nature for shared abundance. Every state has its own harvest festival. Below is the list of important harvest festivals. Delicious food and kite flying during Makar Sankranti 
Makar Sankranti is incomplete without delicious food and kites. In fact, every state has its own signature dish. In Gujarat, undhiyu is prepared; while in West Bengal, Pathishapta, Pithe Puli and Payesh are the main delicacy on this day. In Punjab, Pinni is made while in Tamil Nadu; Traditional Sakkararai Pongal is prepared on Pongal day. Finally, Til ladoo and chikkis are eaten in most Indian states in Makar Sankranti. Therefore, the list goes on and on when it comes to food varieties on this auspicious day. During Makar Sankranti, kite flying is a traditional activity in which people of all ages participate enthusiastically. Although kite flying is popular all over India, Gujarat and Rajasthan top the list. Another thing arranged during Makar Sankranti is melas. Melas are held in various places during this auspicious day. However, the most important is the Kumbh Mela which is held once every 12 years in the holy places of India.