
Makar Sankranti 2023 is a festival celebrating the harvest of crops. It is therefore extremely important to the farmers of our country. However, the religious significance of this festival is equally important. It marks the end of the chilly winter days, welcoming a spirited spring season. This is deemed to be one of the oldest Hindu festivals, and thus its import is manifold.
Falling on the 14th of January, this is the first major festival of the year. Celebrated by the Hindus all over the country, this festival is known by many different names throughout the country. However, unlike the other Hindu festivities that are celebrated on the basis of the different positions of the Moon, this festival is calculated as per the Solar calendar, rather than the Lunar one. This harvest festival falls in the month of Magha according to the Lunar calendar and as per the Gregorian calendar, it falls every year either on the 14th or 15th of January. From this day onwards the days start to get bigger while nights get shorter, making this festival a solstice festival. With the days and nights being equal on this day, spring begins to make its blooming entry.
The festival holds a special significance for the farmers who celebrate the day to appreciate the bountiful harvest of the season, honoring their hard work and diligence. Furthermore, the Sankranti festival has a lot of cultural as well as religious significance. According to the Puranas, this day marks the time when the god of Sun, Surya, went to visit his son, Lord Shani who is the ruler of Capricorn or Makar Rashi. The father-son relationship between the two was soiled by quarrels in the past but on this day, they managed to put their differences aside and resolve their conflict. This festival, therefore, celebrates a strong bond between a son and his father. With the two powerful Gods coming together, a happy and auspicious time is just around the corner!
Additionally, the Sankranti date 2023 also celebrates the day when Lord Vishnu attained victory over the Asuras. According to the legends, Lord Vishnu annihilated the demons, putting an end to the misery caused by them on the Earth. He slew each one of them, burying them under the Mandara Parvat, establishing the victory of justice over sacrilege.
The day is dedicated to the worship of Lord Surya, however, no Hindu puja is complete without offering prayers to Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva, Goddess Laxmi, and Lord Vishnu. After cleaning the house and the temple on this auspicious day, follow the below-mentioned rituals to get the blessings of the Gods above:
The harvest season is celebrated across the nation. However, the name of the festivities differ. Here are the different names that are used to celebrate the new crop of the season:
The names might be different but the essence of these festivities of Uttarayan 2023 is the same. Its cultural and religious significance is deep-rooted, allowing people to show gratitude towards nature for showering us with abundance and prosperity.
There are many astronomical reasons behind the celebration of Makar Sankranti date and time. We have listed the different astrological significances for celebrating this day:
On the day following the celebrations of Makar Sankranti, another festival called Mattu Pongal is celebrated in some parts of the country. After a happy Makar Sankranti, it is time to honor the labor and hard work of the farm animals that contribute to a bountiful harvest. A successful harvest is near impossible without the animals working on the farms. Hence, this festival is celebrated with great fervor as it pays a tribute to the special bond we share with the other species on our planet as well as with nature. It celebrates the spirit of cooperation that keeps our ecosystem alive.
Due to the huge significance of this day, it is celebrated in almost every part of our diverse country. People look forward to spending a happy Makar Sankranti 2023 to welcome the approaching spring with a smile on their faces and hope in their hearts!
If you have any queries about the Makar Sankranti Shubh Muhurat, feel free to connect with the Astroyogi astrologers.