Happy Makar Sankranti 2021: Know Relevance of The Festival, Timings & Traditions

It is called Makara Sankranti and Poush sôngkrānti in Maharashtra, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Karnataka and Telangana, Sukarat in central India, Magh Bihu by Assamese, and Thai Pongal or Pongal by Tamils.

Indian Hindu devotees perform evening prayers on the banks of the river Ganges on Makar Sankranti. FILE PIC/AFP.

Makar Sankranti 2021: With the onset of 2021, it’s time for festivities in India. Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on Thursday, and is one of the major festivals observed across different states showcasing our unity in diversity. Every state follow their own customs in celebrating the harvest festival. Makara Sankranti, also known as Maghi or Sankranthi, is a Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Surya. The festival of Makar Sankranti is celebrated every year in the lunar month of Magh. Also Read: Daily Horoscope, January 13, 2021: Aries Folks Will Have A Day Full Of Success, Know More About Your Sun Sign What’s the significance of Makar Sankranti? Makar Sankranti is basically observed to pray for bumper harvest. According to the Hindu calendar, there are 12 Sankranti days in a year. Each Sankranti marks the beginning of a month and is observed in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Punjab, Odisha, Bihar, West Bengal and Nepal. The festival is referred to as Makara Sankranti in Odisha, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa, Poush sôngkrānti in Bengal, Magh Bihu in Assam, Khichidi Sankranti in Uttar Pradesh, and Thai Pongal or Pongal in Tamil Nadu. Why does the legend say? The festival also marks the movement of the Sun from one constellation to another. It is on this day the Sun starts moving towards the northern hemisphere, marking the end of the winter season and days start getting longer. Makar Sankranti is also known as Uttarayan, the beginning of an auspicious period. Uttarayan is considered to be a period of new beginning. Uttarayaṇ is derived from two Sanskrit words 'uttara' or north and 'ayana' or movement, indicating a northward movement of the Sun. In Mahabharata, Bheeshma Pitamaha chose the day of Uttarayan to die. It is on this day Bheeshma got a special boon of Ichha Mrityu or death and he waited on his death bed of arrows until Uttarayan. Timings: According to drikpanchang.com Makar Sankranti is on Thursday, January 14 - Magh Krishna Paksha Dwitiya tithi. Makar Sankranti Punya Kala or auspicious time starts at 8:30 AM and ends at 5:46 PM. While Makar Sankranti Maha Punya Kala starts at 8:30 AM and ends at 10:15 AM. Devotees on this day take a dip in holy rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna and Cauvery. However, due to Covid restrictions celebrations will remain a low affair.  People usually distribute sesame and jaggery ladoos or chikkis. It is popularly referred to as til-gud. It signifies that people must live together in peace and harmony despite differences. There is a tradition of kite flying considering exposure in the early morning Sun is good for health.