Makar Sankranti 2025:?Makar Sankranti, one of India's most popular festivals, commemorates the Sun's movement into Capricorn (Makara) and the start of longer days. It occurs in January each year and represents the end of winter and the beginning of the harvest season. Makar Sankranti 2025 will bring communities together to celebrate customs, share sweets, and fly colorful kites. This event is steeped in history and spirituality, emphasizing themes of gratitude, wealth, and rejuvenation. From eating sesame and jaggery delicacies to taking holy dips in sacred waterways, each region adds its flavor to the festivities. Curious about the actual date, its rich history, and the reasons behind the festivities? Let's learn all about Makar Sankranti 2025.
In 2025, the Makar Sankranti celebration will be held on Tuesday, January 14.? It is one of the few traditional Hindu festivities that follow solar cycles. The season signals the end of winter and the start of longer days. It's also the start of the month of Magha.?Makar Sankranti is a harvest festival that is held throughout the country under various names. Each state celebrates the event according to its own culture and traditions.
The optimal time to bathe and donate on Makar Sankranti will be between 9:03 am and 10:48 a.m. Aside from that, the general auspicious time will be between 9:03 a.m. and 5:46 p.m. Bathing in a sacred river and donating to the poor during these auspicious periods will result in several rewards.
| Sankranti Karana | Sankranti Day | Observation Date | Transit Date | Sankranti Moment | Sankranti Ghati | Sankranti Moonsign | Sankranti Nakshatra |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balava | Tuesday | 14th January, 2025 | 14th January, 2025? | 9:03 AM | 6 (Dinamana) | Karka | Punarvasu (Chara Sangyaka)? |
The holiday has religious and seasonal significance. People in ancient times celebrated the movement of the Sun, which led to longer days and indicated the seasonal transition from harsher to warmer climates. The celebration symbolizes positivity and hope. The harvest festival is a time of joy, celebration, and abundance among farming communities as they receive the rewards of their hard labor. In some parts of India, it is claimed that a divinity named Sankranti slew a Sankarasur. Following that day, the deity defeated another demon named Kinkarasur, which is why the day is also known as Kinkrant.
The festival is celebrated to thank nature for a good harvest and to welcome prosperity. It holds great cultural and religious importance. Here are some key reasons why it is significant:
Celebration of Harvest: Farmers thank the Sun and the Earth for a good crop.
Cultural Unity: Different states in India celebrate Makar Sankranti in unique ways to promote unity.
Religious Importance: Taking a dip in holy rivers like the Ganges is believed to cleanse sins.??
People commemorate Makar Sankranti in a variety of fascinating ways:
Flying Kites:?The sky is full of multicolored kites. It is a delightful exercise for both children and adults.
Preparing Special Food:?Sweets made with jaggery and sesame seeds, such as til-gud laddoos, are distributed to spread happiness.
Holy Baths and Prayers:?Many people take holy dips in rivers and pray to the Sun God.
Bonfires and Dances:?Some sections of India celebrate with bonfires and folk dances.
Til-Gud Laddoos are made with sesame seeds and jaggery to provide warmth and health.?Puran Poli is a sweet flatbread popular in Maharashtra.?Khichdi is a delicious dish made of rice and lentils, popular in North India.?Pongal is a traditional Tamil Nadu rice meal that can be sweet or spicy.?
Tamil Nadu:?This is a significant celebration in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Pongal is a four-day festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu.
Andhra Pradesh's?Makar Sankranti is a four-day event.
Punjab:?Lohri is celebrated on the eve of Makar Sankranti.
Madhya Pradesh?celebrates Makar Sankranti by exchanging programs and sweets.
Odisha:?People light bonfires and dine together.
Assam:?The celebration is known as Bhogali Bihu.
West Bengal:?Sankranti is a three-day event that begins in Sankranti.
Delhi:?In Delhi and Haryana, the event is known as Sukarat.
Gujarat:?In Gujarat, the event is called Uttarayan.
In?Maharashtra, the celebration is known as Makar Sankranti.?
The panorama of colorful kites soaring in the winter morning sky is one of the most spectacular sights to behold during the Makar Sankranti holiday. Kite-flying tournaments are also held in several locations. Many people see this joyful activity as a gesture of appreciation to the Gods, as kites can fly high into the sky, reaching what some believe to be the heavens.
| Date | Day | Festival Name |
|---|---|---|
| 14th January, 2025 | Tuesday | Makar Sankranti/Pongal? ?? |
| 12th February, 2025 | Wednesday | Kumbha?Sankranti |
| 14th March, 2025? | Friday | Meena?Sankranti |
| 14th April, 2025? | Monday | Mesha?Sankranti |
| 15th May, 2025? | Thursday | Vrishabha?Sankranti |
| 14th - 16th June, 2025? | Saturday to Monday | Mithuna?Sankranti |
| 16th July, 2025? | Wednesday | Karka?Sankranti |
| 17th August, 2025? | Sunday | Simha?Sankranti |
| 17th September, 2025? | Wednesday? | Kanya?Sankranti |
| 17th October, 2025? | Friday | Tula?Sankranti |
| 16th November, 2025? | Sunday | Vrischika?Sankranti |
| 16th December, 2025? | Tuesday | Dhanu?Sankranti |
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