How to celebrate Makar Sankranti

How to celebrate Makar Sankranti - Makar Sankranti is a vibrant festival celebrated with devotion, joy, and a deep sense of gratitude. Marking the Sun’s transition into Capricorn and the beginning of longer days, this festival is observed with various rituals, customs, and regional traditions. 

How to celebrate Makar Sankranti

From offering prayers to Surya Dev (the Sun God) and preparing festive delicacies like til-gud laddoos to flying kites, performing charity, and taking holy dips in sacred rivers, Makar Sankranti brings families and communities together in celebration. 

This guide provides a step-by-step approach to performing the rituals, understanding their significance, and embracing the spiritual and cultural essence of this auspicious day.

Complete Guide to Celebrate Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti marks the transition of the Sun into the zodiac sign Capricorn (Makara) and is celebrated with great enthusiasm across India. It signifies the end of winter and the beginning of longer days. Here’s a step-by-step guide, including rituals, methods, mantras, reasons, and benefits.

Significance and Benefits of Makar Sankranti

1. Spiritual Significance:
   • Marks the Sun's journey towards the northern hemisphere (Uttarayan), symbolizing light and knowledge.
   • Believed to be an auspicious day to worship Surya (Sun God) and seek blessings.
2. Health Benefits:
   • Consumption of sesame (til) and jaggery (gur) helps generate warmth and provides energy.
   • Kite flying is a form of exercise, promoting physical health.
3. Social Significance:
   • Sharing food and sweets fosters community bonding.
   • Donating to the needy symbolizes compassion and gratitude.

Step-by-Step Guide to Celebrate Makar Sankranti

1. Early Morning Bath

• Reason: Taking a holy dip in rivers like Ganga or Yamuna is believed to cleanse sins and purify the soul.
• Method:
  • Wake up before sunrise and take a bath. If possible, take a holy dip in a sacred river.

  • Chant the mantra:

    Ganga cha Yamune chaiva Godavari Saraswati,

    Narmade Sindhu Kaveri jalesmin sannidhim kuru.

    Other Mantras (in Hindi)

  • गंगा सिंधु सरस्वती च यमुना, गोदावरी नर्मदा । कावेरी शरयू महेंद्रतनया शर्मण्वती वेदिकाक्षिप्रा वेत्रवती महासुर नदी, ख्याता गया गंडकी । पूर्णा पूर्ण जलैः समुद्र सरिता, कुर्यातसदा मंगलम ।।
  • गंगे च यमुने चैव गोदावरी सरस्वती। नर्मदे सिन्धु कावेरी जले अस्मिन् सन्निधिम् कुरु॥
  • गंगा पापं शशी तापं दैन्यं कल्पतरुस्तथा। पापं तापं च दैन्यं च हन्ति सज्जनसङ्गमः।।
  • नमामि गंगे! तव पादपंकजं सुरसुरैर्वन्दितदिव्यरूपम्। भुक्तिं च मुक्तिं च ददासि नित्यम् भावानुसारेण सदा नराणाम्।।

2. Surya Puja (Worship of the Sun God)

• Reason: To thank the Sun God for sustaining life and pray for a prosperous year ahead.
• Items Needed: Water, a copper vessel, red flowers, jaggery, and a diya.
• Method:
  1. Face the east during sunrise.

  2. Offer water to the Sun God using a copper vessel while chanting:

     Om Hrim Hrim Suryaya Namah

  3. Offer red flowers, jaggery, and light a diya.
  4. Pray for good health, success, and happiness.

3. Prepare and Distribute Traditional Foods

• Reason: Sharing food symbolizes harmony and gratitude.
• Traditional Dishes:
  • Til-gud laddoo: Made of sesame seeds and jaggery.
  • Pongal: A South Indian rice and lentil dish.
  • Khichdi: A North Indian preparation of rice and lentils.
• Method:
  • Prepare these dishes with devotion and offer them to the deity before consuming and sharing with family and friends.

4. Kite Flying

• Reason: Symbolizes the joy of freedom and rising towards new heights.
• Method:
  • Gather with family and friends outdoors.
  • Use vibrant kites to enjoy the day.

Also read - Makar Sankranti & Story behind Makar Sankranti

5. Charity and Donations

• Reason: Giving to the needy is considered auspicious on this day.
• Method:
  • Donate food, clothes, and money to the poor.
  • Items like blankets, sesame seeds, jaggery, and utensils are preferred.

6. Special Rituals (Region-specific)

1. Pind Daan and Tarpan:
   • Reason: Paying respect to ancestors.
   • Method:
     • Perform tarpan with water, black sesame seeds, and darbha grass.
2. Bonfires (Lohri in Punjab):
   • Celebrate by lighting a bonfire, singing traditional songs, and dancing.
3. Cow and Animal Worship:
   • Decorate and feed cows as they are considered sacred.

Evening Aarti

• Items Needed: Diya, incense sticks, flowers, and sweets.

• Mantra:

  Om Ghrini Suryaya Namah

• Light the diya and perform aarti in front of the Sun God and other deities.

Mantras for Makar Sankranti

1. Gayatri Mantra (For Surya):

   Om Bhur Bhuvah Swah, Tat Savitur Varenyam,

   Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi, Dhiyo Yonah Prachodayat.

2. Surya Namaskar Mantra:

   Om Mitraya Namah

   Om Ravaye Namah

   Om Suryaya Namah

   Om Bhanave Namah

   Om Khagaya Namah

   Om Pushne Namah

   Om Hiranyagarbhaya Namah

   Om Marichaye Namah

   Om Adityaya Namah

   Om Savitre Namah

   Om Arkaya Namah

   Om Bhaskaraya Namah

Final Reflection

• Spend time with family and reflect on your blessings.
• Resolve to follow a righteous path and bring positivity into your life.

This comprehensive guide will ensure you celebrate Makar Sankranti with devotion, joy, and cultural pride.