Makar Sankranti 2023: 2023 Sankranti Festival Thithi According to Telugu Calendar
The Sankranti festival is an important observance for Telugu speaking people in the States of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It takes place every year in the Pushya Month, between January and February, and marks the first day of the sun's transit into Makara Raashi. In 2023, the date of the Sankranti festival is January 15th according to the panchangam.
The Sankarnti punyakaalam, also known as thithi, as per the Telugu Panchangam and calendar, begins at 8:59 AM on January 15th, 2023. According to Drik Panchang, the Makara Sankranti Punya Kala will last for 10 hours and 31 minutes, from 7:15 AM to 5:46 PM, on January 15th.
The Sankranti festival is a three-day observance, beginning with Bhogi on January 14th, 2023. On this day, people apply sesame oil and take a bath, praying to Lord Suryanarayana. They also burn old clutter in the Bhogi fire in the morning hours. The most important day of the festival is observed on the second day, January 15th, 2023.
The third day of the festival, Kanuma, is observed on January 16th, 2023 and is primarily celebrated in the coast districts of Andhra Pradesh and a few places in Telangana. On this day, people cook non-vegetarian food and celebrate the festival.
As per astrology and Vedic scriptures, Sankranti marks the movement of the Sun from one Rashi (constellation of the zodiac) to the next. Therefore, there are 12 Sankrantis in a year, but the Makar Sankranti is considered the most auspicious. It is one of the few Hindu festivals that is aligned with the solar cycle.
Makar Sankranti also marks the beginning of the harvest season, where farmers worship their cattle and pray for bountiful crops. It also signifies a change in seasons, as from this day, the Sun begins its movement from Dakshinayana (South) to Uttarayana (North) hemisphere, officially ending the winter season.
The festival of Sankranti is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervor in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and is a time for people to come together to celebrate the end of the winter season, the start of the harvest season and pray for a prosperous year ahead.