Makar Sankranti 2025: Date, rituals, daan items and significance explained
Makar Sankranti 2025, falling on 14th January, marks the Sun's transition into Capricorn and celebrates the harvest season with unique rituals like Surya worship, holy river dips, and kite flying. This festival, observed across India and beyond, holds cultural and spiritual significance, uniting communities with joy and gratitude.
Makar Sankranti, also known as the Capricorn Festival, is a major Hindu festival celebrated annually. It signifies the Sun's transition from the zodiac sign Sagittarius (Dhanu) to Capricorn (Makar), marking the shift of the Sun into the northern hemisphere. Observed on 14th January every year (or 15th January in a leap year), the festival is dedicated to the solar deity, Surya. In 2025, Makar Sankranti will fall on Tuesday, 14th January.
The Significance of Makar Sankranti
The festival holds great spiritual and cultural importance. Makar Sankranti is seen as a time of renewal and positivity. Dedicated to Lord Surya, it is believed to bring good fortune and mark the end of the winter solstice. This period also heralds the arrival of longer days and the beginning of the month of Magha in the Hindu calendar. The festival is closely linked to agricultural cycles, celebrating the harvest season in India.
Makar Sankranti Rituals
Makar Sankranti rituals vary across India but typically include:
- Worship of Surya (Sun God): Devotees pray to the Sun for prosperity and success.
- Holy Bathing: Many people take dips in sacred rivers such as the Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri, believing it absolves sins.
- Making Sweets: Special sweets made of sesame seeds (til) and jaggery (gur) are prepared, symbolising unity and joy.
- Social Festivities: Families gather to celebrate with bonfires, kite flying, and feasts. In Gujarat, kite flying is a significant part of the celebrations.
Names of Makar Sankranti Across India
Makar Sankranti is celebrated under various names and traditions across India:
- Andhra Pradesh & Telangana: Sankranthi or Pedda Panduga
- Tamil Nadu: Pongal
- Assam: Magh Bihu
- Punjab: Maghi
- Gujarat: Uttarayan
- Kerala: Makara Vilakku
- Bihar: Dahi Chura
- Uttarakhand: Ghughuti or Uttarayani
Each region brings its unique cultural touch to the festivities.
Celebration Beyond India
Makar Sankranti is also observed in other countries under different names, such as Songkran in Thailand, Thingyan in Myanmar, and Mohan Songkran in Cambodia.
Makar Sankranti Daan Suggestions Based on Zodiac Signs
Giving donations (daan) on Makar Sankranti is considered highly auspicious and can be personalized based on your zodiac sign to bring good fortune and positivity. Here are specific suggestions for each sign:
| Zodiac Sign | Suggested Daan | Cultural Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Aries | Donate clothes or books | Represents new beginnings and growth |
| Taurus | Offer food items like rice or pulses | Symbolizes abundance and nourishment |
| Gemini | Contribute to educational causes | Encourages knowledge sharing and communication |
| Cancer | Donate to orphanages or shelters | Reflects compassion and care for others |
| Leo | Give away items related to arts or crafts | Enhances creativity and self-expression |
| Virgo | Provide medical supplies or hygiene products | Promotes health and well-being |
| Libra | Support community welfare programs | Fosters balance and harmony in society |
| Scorpio | Donate to environmental causes | Represents transformation and regeneration |
| Sagittarius | Offer travel vouchers or experiences to underprivileged children | Encourages exploration and learning |
| Capricorn | Invest in local businesses or artisans | Supports hard work and perseverance |
| Aquarius | Contribute to social justice initiatives | Aligns with humanitarian values |
| Pisces | Donate to mental health organizations | Supports healing and emotional well-being |
The Role of Black Attire During Sankranti
Unlike other Hindu festivals, where black is avoided, wearing black on Makar Sankranti is considered auspicious in some regions. This practice is rooted in scientific beliefs: black absorbs heat and helps retain warmth during the chilly January weather. While this tradition is fading, it is still common to see women wearing black sarees with unique designs like Chandrakala during the celebrations.
A Pan-Indian Festival of Unity and Joy
Makar Sankranti is not just a religious event; it is a celebration of nature, agriculture, and community. The festival brings families together, strengthens bonds, and promotes cultural unity across India.
This Makar Sankranti 2025, take time to reflect on its significance, enjoy its rituals, and embrace the spirit of gratitude and togetherness.
Best Makar Sankranti 2025 wishes & messages to share on WhatsApp
- On this special day, may the warmth of the sun fill your life with happiness and success. Happy Makar Sankranti 2025!
- Let¡¯s welcome this festival with open hearts and grateful smiles. May you be blessed with peace, joy, and prosperity!
- May your days be as bright as the sun, and your nights as sweet as the Sankranti sweets. Celebrate with love and happiness.
- May your life be as colourful as the kites and as sweet as the festive treats this Sankranti.
- On this special day, let¡¯s thank the Sun God for his blessings and welcome brighter days ahead.
- Wishing you a harvest of joy, peace, and love this Makar Sankranti 2025!
- May this festival mark the beginning of new success, happiness, and great memories for you and your family.
- Let¡¯s celebrate the bond of togetherness, the joy of the harvest, and the blessings of the Sun this Sankranti.
- May the tilgul sweets spread sweetness in your life and the Sun bring warmth to your soul.
- Wishing you a Sankranti filled with good food, good vibes, and unforgettable moments with loved ones.
- Celebrate the beauty of this day with a heart full of gratitude and a soul full of love.
- Let this Sankranti be the start of a season filled with success and happiness for you.
- May the festival bring an abundance of positivity and peace into your life. Happy Makar Sankranti!
Bhupinder Singh serves as a Principal Executive in Content Management, specializing in SEO content related to trending financial news, net worth of celebrities, historic events, and art and culture. His passion for cricket shines through in his work and personal interests. In his free time, Bhupinder enjoys discussing cricket legends like MS Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar, as well as following the IPL.
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