Makar Sankranti 2024: Why Is This Festival Celebrated? Know Religious And Scientific Significance Of This Day

Explore the divine and scientific facets of Makar Sankranti 2024, as the Sun enters Capricorn, weaving faith and facts in celebration.

Makar Sankranti 2024: Why This Festival Is Celebrated

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Makar Sankranti 2024: This year Makar Sankranti will be observed on January 15. In the month of Paush, when the Sun is in the northern hemisphere and positioned in the Capricorn zodiac, different regions in the country celebrate this occasion, referring to it by their own local names. Makar Sankranti, being a harvest festival, holds religious significance in Hinduism and is also considered scientifically important.

Religious Significance of Makar Sankranti:

• The donation is said to be 100 times fruitful - In the Puranas, Makar Sankranti is considered a day of the gods. It is believed that the donation made on this day comes back a hundredfold.
• Auspicious activities begin - Makar Sankranti marks the beginning of auspicious days, as Malamas (inauspicious month) comes to an end on this day. After this, all auspicious activities such as weddings, mundan (head shaving ceremony), and sacred thread ceremonies begin.
• Heaven's gates open - According to religious beliefs, on the day of Makar Sankranti, the gates of heaven open. On this day, one can attain salvation through worship, recitation, donation, and bathing in holy rivers. According to mythological stories, Bhishma Pitamah had received the boon of choosing the time of his death but waited for the northern solstice to release his life, lying on a bed of arrows, to attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
• Ganga descended on Earth - Mother Ganga appeared on Earth on the day of Makar Sankranti and Ganga water had granted salvation to the 60,000 sons of King Bhagirath. After that, Ganga flowed into the ocean outside the ashram of Sage Kapila.

Scientific Significance of Makar Sankranti:

• Consumption Of Sesame And Jaggery: As the Sun's transition to the northern hemisphere brings changes in weather, consuming food items like sesame and jaggery during Makar Sankranti is believed to generate warmth in the body, helping people cope with the cold.
• Progressive Era Begins: Both religious and scientific perspectives highlight the importance of the Sun's Uttarayan (northward movement) in human progress. With longer days and shorter nights, this time is associated with advancements and growth.
• Scientific Significance of Kite Flying: Kite flying on Makar Sankranti is associated with the health benefits of sunlight. Spending time outdoors under the Sun provides essential vitamin D for the skin and bones, contributing to overall well-being.