The Sun has finally ended its Southward journey from
Tropic of Capricorn and starts moving northward towards the Tropic of Cancer,
in the month of Pausha on this day in mid-January that marks the arrival of Spring
and also begins an auspicious festival in India, Makar Sankranti, a harvest
festival, which is celebrated in almost all parts of India. This festival marks
the beginning of longer days as compared to nights.
The non-stop movement of Sun, which changes from one
zodiac sign to the other is known as Sankranti. And the sun moves into the
Capricorn zodiac which is termed as Makara, hence the name ‘Makar Sankranti’
evolved.
It is also said that on this festival, Sun God
begins its ascendancy and enters into northern hemisphere. And thus the Sun God
reminds us of ‘Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya’ which means one might go higher to more
light and never face any kind of darkness. Maker Sankranti signifies that one
should turn away from darkness of delusion and should enjoy a new life with
bright life.
Different names and styles of ‘Makar Sankranti’
Makara Sankranti: Chhattisgarh, Goa, Odisha,
Haryana, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya
Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand,
Bihar, and West Bengal.
Pongal, Uzhavar Thirunal: Tamil Nadu.
Uttarayan: Gujarat.
Maghi: Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. The day
before, people of Punjab celebrate Lohri.
Bhogali Bihu: Assam.
Shishur Saenkraat: Kashmir Valley.
Khichdi: Uttar Pradesh and western Bihar.
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