Makar Sankranti is the first Hindu festival of the year and the day is celebrated on January 14. The festival marks the end of the winter season and the begining of the harvest festival.
The festival is called with different names across the country. In Assam, it is celebrated as Magh Bihu, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Ugaadi in Karnataka, Lohri in Punjab, and Uttarayan in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
Makar Sankranti significance
The festival is dedicated to Sun God or Surya Devta wherein farmers across the country thanks Sun God for the harvest season. According to Hindu mythology, Sankranti was a deity who defeated and killed a demon Sankarasur. On this date in India, the sun begins to move north from the southern hemisphere. As per Hindus, this period is auspicious and therefore celebrate as Makar Sankranti.
According to the Mahabharata, Bhishma Pitamah had waited for the sun to be in uttarayan with an aim to embrace death.
Makar Sankranti 2022 date and shubh muhurat
This year, Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on Friday, January 14. Usually, the festival falls on the solar month of Makara and the lunar month of Magha. It is also called Magha Sankranti.
- Makara Sankrati Punya Kala- 02:43 PM to 05:45 PM | Duration – 03 Hours 02 Mins
- Makara Sankranti Maha Punya Kala – 02:43 PM to 04:28 PM | Duration – 01 Hour 45 Mins
- Makara Sankranti Shubh Muhurat- 02:43 PM
Makar Sankranti rituals
On the occasion of Makar Sankranti, Hindus donate to needy people to bring good luck and blessings. They donate rice, ladoos, seasonal vegetables, clothes, utensils, and other essentials. Hindus have a meal that consists of flattened rice, til ke ladoo, tilkut or gajak, jaggery, curd, and dum aloo. According to beliefs, eating til on Makar Sankranti is auspicious and brings good health and luck throughout the year.