MAIN Holidays & Observances Makar Sankranti

Sankranti means "to move from one place to another." The Lord Sun makes 12 movements during the year, but this is one of the most important transitions.

Makar Sankranti is the day when the sun moves from Sagittarius into Capricorn during the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere (Uttarayana).

This is one of the most auspicious feast days in the Hindu culture, and is celebrated in almost all parts of the country, but the celebrations often have different names and traditions.

This is not a moveable feast determined by the lunar calendar. Makar Sankranti is always celebrated on January 14 on the solar calendar to celebrate the anticipation of Spring and the return of longer days.

While there are important religious connotations behind the celebration, in more practical terms Makar Sankrati is most famous as the day to... go fly a kite!

During the festival, many people ceremonially bathe in rivers, with celebrations featuring thousands of colorful prayers offered to the Lord Sun in the form of beautiful kites.

One of the more impressive celebrations is centered on the International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad - a four-day event which is perfectly timed to culminate on Makar Sankranti.

Makar Sankranti is also known as Khichadi, the name of the traditional Indian dish made from rice and lentils eaten during the festival, and in Maharashtra, colorful tilguds made from sesame seeds (til) and sugar.

The sesame is such a favorite food of the Sun God at this time of year that the feast is sometimes called Til Sankranti. Sesame dishes of Til Laddoos, and Til-Polis are eagerly devoured, and til oil is used for massages during the festival.

Of all the heavenly bodies, the Sun is the most glorious and the most important to life - and the Festival of Makar Sankranti is one of the most important and happy feasts in its honor. It is the time when winter begins to loosen its grip and the days begin to grow warmer and longer. The feast marks the winter solstice where darkness begins to recede and the Sun reclaims the world...

More about Makar Sankranti around the Web:

Bawarchi - Makar Sankranti Festival - How people celebrate the holiday in different areas of India is delightful to read. More information on what types of gifts, sweets and greeting are exchanged and the meanings behind them make a wonderful introduction to the holiday.

Makar Sankranti - Nice overview courtesy of SurfIndia.com with an explanation of different customs & celebrations, pictures, plus related info on other important festivals.

Makar Sankranti e-Cards - Kites, kites and more kites, plus other design selections to send along with your wishes for a Happy Makar Sankranti!

Making Bengali (and other) Sweets at Home - A forum discussion from Another Subcontinent Forums covers the problems of getting the taste right when you're trying to make professional tasting sweets...and has some great tips to help you succeed...

also see -> Holi | Janmashtami | Rakhi | India Independence Day

also see in Religion -> Hinduism