history of makara sankranthi
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Makar Sankranti is also known as Maghi or Makara Sankranti. The festival is celebrated by Hindus and is dedicated to Surya, the Sun God in the Hindu pantheon. It is observed on 14 January each year. As such, the festival is supposed to mark the first day when the sun is transiting into the Capricorn, also known as Makara. Makar Sankranti also marks the end of the month when the winter solstice, which is also referred to as the darkest night of the year, happens
How is Makar Sankranti Festival celebrated?
As may be the case with just about any and every other festival in India Makar Sankranti is celebrated with lots of decorations. People wear new clothes and savor homemade delicacies which are usually made of jaggery, gur and til. In some partsKhichdi is also eaten. In Tamil Nadu, the festival is known as Pongal and people eat rice, which is boiled with fresh milk and jaggery. The dish is made more elaborate with toppings of cashew nuts, brown sugar and raisins.
Other integral parts of the festival are fairs or melas, bonfires, dancing, feasts, and flying of kites. In fact, Diana L Eck, a Harvard University professor and specialist at indology, has said that the Magha Mela has also been mentioned in Mahabharata. This means that the festival has been there for around 2000 years. On this day, plenty of people visit rivers and lakes sacred to them and bathe while thanking the sun. Makar Sankranti also sees Kumbh Mela, which happens to be one of the largest mass pilgrimages of the world every 12 years. It is estimated that around 40 to 100 million people take part in the same.
During this event people say a prayer that is dedicated to Surya and then bathe. It happens at a confluence named Prayaga. This is where River Ganga meets River Yamuna. These two rivers are also accorded divine status in the Indian pantheon. It is said that Kumbh Mela was started by a sage named Adi Shankara.
Makar Sankranti is an auspicious festival, hence people donate items to the poor and underprivileged. Some of the items donated are food, blankets, clothes, etc. Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on Sunday, January 14, 2018.
How is Makar Sankranti Festival celebrated?
As may be the case with just about any and every other festival in India Makar Sankranti is celebrated with lots of decorations. People wear new clothes and savor homemade delicacies which are usually made of jaggery, gur and til. In some partsKhichdi is also eaten. In Tamil Nadu, the festival is known as Pongal and people eat rice, which is boiled with fresh milk and jaggery. The dish is made more elaborate with toppings of cashew nuts, brown sugar and raisins.
Other integral parts of the festival are fairs or melas, bonfires, dancing, feasts, and flying of kites. In fact, Diana L Eck, a Harvard University professor and specialist at indology, has said that the Magha Mela has also been mentioned in Mahabharata. This means that the festival has been there for around 2000 years. On this day, plenty of people visit rivers and lakes sacred to them and bathe while thanking the sun. Makar Sankranti also sees Kumbh Mela, which happens to be one of the largest mass pilgrimages of the world every 12 years. It is estimated that around 40 to 100 million people take part in the same.
During this event people say a prayer that is dedicated to Surya and then bathe. It happens at a confluence named Prayaga. This is where River Ganga meets River Yamuna. These two rivers are also accorded divine status in the Indian pantheon. It is said that Kumbh Mela was started by a sage named Adi Shankara.
Makar Sankranti is an auspicious festival, hence people donate items to the poor and underprivileged. Some of the items donated are food, blankets, clothes, etc. Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on Sunday, January 14, 2018.
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