Makar Sankranti 2017

Makar Sankranti 2017|Happy Makar Sankranti 2017 Greetings

Makarsankranti,Makar Sankranti festival 2017,Makar Sankranti festival date and time,Know more about Makar Sankranti festival,Why we celebrate makar sankranti

Makar Sankranti 

Makar Sankranti(Sanskrit: ) or Sankranti or Sankranthi marks the transition of the Sun into Capricorn on its celestial path. This is significant considering the Winter Solstice marks the beginning of the gradual increase of the duration of the day. Remember actually the shortest day on the earth is December 21st, 22nd and from this point onwards day begin to increase. Hence actual Winter Solstice begin on December 21st or December 22nd when the tropical sun enters Makara rashi. Now because of the earth's tilt of 23.45 degrees and sliding of equinoxes ayanamsa occurs and causing makara sankranti to slide further. 1000 years back in 1000AD makar sankranti was in Dec 31st and now January 14th and After 5000 years Makara sankranti will come in the end of february, beginning of march. After 9000 years Makara sankranti will come in the june (it will be the time when summer will be already there). Hence actual Uttarayana is December 21st when the tropical (Sayana) sun enters capricorn. This is because at one point of time they were the same. Because of this precession of the equinoxes ayanamsa occurs and hence sliding of makara sankranti. Traditionally, this has been one of many harvest days in India.

Makar Sankranti is one of the most auspicious days for the Hindus and is celebrated in almost all parts of India in myriad cultural forms, with great devotion. Millions of people take a dip in places like Ganga Sagar (point where the river Ganga meets the Bay of Bengal) and Prayag and pray to the Sun God (Surya). It is celebrated with pomp in southern parts of India as Pongal, and in Punjab as Lohri and Maghi. In the western Indian state of Gujarat, the celebrations are even bigger. People offer thousands of their colorful oblations to the Sun in the form of beautiful kites. The act stands as a metaphor for reaching to their beloved God, the one who represents the best. Makar Sankranthi also happens to be the day on which Bhishma, the grand sire of Pandavas andKauravas from the epic Mahabharata voluntarily left his mortal coil. In the rural and coastal areas, cock fights are held and is a prominent event of the festival. It is celebrated differently in different regions of India.

Makar Sankranti is celebrated as a very important festival in India. It’s a multifaceted festival and represents multiculturalism in today’s society where many different states and cultures celebrate the festival in their own way. It’s a festival for farmers as the harvesting is complete and they celebrate it. It’s a festival of celestial significance as the sun begins its northward journey and enters the sign of Makar (the Capricorn) from the Tropic of Cancer. And it’s a festival of new beginning.

Makar Sankranti is celebrated with utmost happiness and zest in every state of India. The playful nature of festival allows everyone to fly kites during day time, and therefore it is also known as the flying kite festival. Not only this, but the festival had many religious beliefs. This festival is cited in many religious manuscripts which enlighten us about the festival’s religious significance. Different regions and their cultural celebration of Makar Sankranti are as follows:

As per Hindu mythological Scriptures it is believed that on the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti, Lord Surya visits his son Lord Shani, who is also the representative of Capricorn. To celebrate the healthy relationship between a father and son, despite their differences, Makar Sankranti is considered significant. It is also believed that if a father visits his son on this particular day, their conflicts get resolved and positivity is shared with happiness and prosperity. Another legend who is associated with Makar Sankranti is Bhishma Pitamah, who was blessed with a special boon of choosing his death time. He was lying on the bed of arrows but he waited for the auspicious time of Uttarayan. So whoever dies during this period achieves salvation.

How to conduct the Makar Sankranti Puja.

Those who want to celebrate Makar Sankranti and conduct a holy puja at their home must consider the special Makar sankranti Puja vidhi. Please follow the below steps:

• Before you start the Puja keep the Punya kaal muhurta and maha punya kaal muhurta in mind. And make sure all the images or idols are clean and properly placed in Puja altar. This Puja will be conducted to seek blessings of Lord Surya, so keep his idol or image at altar.
• Take the plate to keep four black and four white Til Laddoos. Keep some money in the plate.
• Among other ingredients are a mixture of rice flour and turmeric powder, betel nuts and leaves, holy water, flowers and incense sticks.
• An offering to the deity consists of Ghevar (a sweet dish), four ladoos made of black tills and four made of white til along with some coins. Put all this in a plate.
• Keep this plate of offering in front of the idol of Lord Surya. And start the Puja prayers.
• During Puja processing ladies must cover their heads with Dupatta or Saree pallu.
• Chant the Surya mantra for minimum 21 times or 108 times. Surya Mantra: 'Om Hram Hreem Hroum Sah Suryaya Namah'

Some devotees wear 12 mukhi Rudraksha during the Puja or they start wearing it after energizing Rudraksha in Puja. Among gemstone Ruby is worn on this day.
The Punya Kaal Muhurta is between 07:50 hrs to 18:17 hrs (IST)
Total Duration of 10 Hours 26 mins.
The Sankranti Moment will begin at 07:50 hrs.
The Maha Punya Kaal Muhurta will be between 07:50 hrs to 08:14 hrs.
Total Duration of just 24 mins. 

Benefits of Conducting Puja on Makar Sankranti:

• The Consciousness or Cosmic intelligence increases to many levels, so by conducting Puja you can derive benefits of higher consciousness.
• The Spiritual emotion enhances the body and purifies it.
• The offerings done during this period yields successful results.
• It’s a holy time to spread Spirituality and Dharma in society.

Makar Sankranti 2017|Happy Makar Sankranti 2017 Greetings

Makarsankranti,Makar Sankranti festival 2017,Makar Sankranti festival date and time,Know more about Makar Sankranti festival,Why we celebrate makar sankranti