The historical significance of Makar Sankranti

It is believed that on this day Lord Bhaskar visits his son Shani himself at his home. Since Shanidev is the lord of Capricorn, this day is known as Makar Sankranti.

 
In the Mahabharata period, Bhishma Pitamah had chosen Makar Sankranti to give up his body. On the day of Makar Sankranti, Gangaji followed Bhagirath and met Kapil Muni's ashram in the ocean.

Why do we celebrate Makar Sankranti festival 2023. ?

Makar Sankranti is additionally called the festival of bath and charity. 

On this day, bathing in the pilgrimage and holy rivers is of great importance, as well as donating sesame, jaggery, khichdi, fruit, and zodiac, one gets virtue.

The festival of Makar Sankranti is an added excitement. On this day, flying kites also have special significance and people do kite flying with great joy and gaiety. 

At the moment big kite flying events also are organized in many places. The festival of Makar Sankranti is one of the main festivals of the Hindu religion, which is well known when the sun rises. 

The special thing about this festival is that it's celebrated not on different dates like other festivals, but only on January 14 each year, when the sun passes through the Capricorn line after Uttarayan. 

 Sometimes it is celebrated a day before or after, i.e. on 13 or 15 January, but it happens rarely.

Makar Sankranti is directly related to the geography of the Earth and the position of the Sun. Whenever the sun comes on the Capricorn line, that day is only on 14 January, so on this day, the festival of Makar Sankranti is celebrated. 

 From the astrological point of view, on this day the Sun enters Capricorn, except Sagittarius and the movement of Uttarayan of Sun starts. 

 The festival of Makar Sankranti is celebrated differently in different areas of India. In Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Karnataka it is called Sankranti and in Tamil Nadu, 
it is celebrated as the Pongal festival. 

In Punjab and Haryana, the new crop is welcomed at this time and the Lohri festival is celebrated, while in Assam, this festival is celebrated with enthusiasm as Bihu. Its name and manner of celebration vary in each province. 

Makar Sankranti Festival Celebration in Himachal Pradesh

Looking at the Dhauladhar mountain range bathed by the rays of the Sun God and the mountains of Kangra glowing with gold upon the arrival of dawn, it seems that an accomplished jeweler has put a sheet of gold on this valley.

 Kangra Valley of Himachal Pradesh where nature has openly embraced natural beauty. At the same time, the existing religious places and interesting traditions in every corner of this valley attract everyone. 

One of these traditions is the melted festival celebrated in two famous temples here on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. 

In this festival, many quintals of butter are coated on the Pindi and Shiva lakshas present in these temples for one week from Makar Sankranti. One of these temples is Brajeshwari Devi of Kangra and the other is the historic Shiva temple of Baijnath.

Brajeshwari Devi Temple in Kangra is one of the 52 Shaktipeeths. The right breast of Sati fell here.

 Here three pindis of the mother are worshiped as a symbol of three religions.

Gheerat festival is celebrated here every year. During this period, the mother's clothes are completely covered with butter-based melted butter for a week. 

It is said to celebrate the festival that when the goddess Brajeshwari Devi fought with the Jalandhar monster, she too suffered some injuries. 

During that time, the Gods and Goddesses applied ghee paste, since then this tradition is celebrated here every year. Some people say that this tradition is performed during the winter season.

 This time this pavilion will be prepared here with about eight quintals of butter.

the historic Shiva temple of Baijnath

This tradition is also practiced in the Baijnath Shiva temple in district Kangra. Here too, for a week, Shivaxalag is completely covered with several quintals of butter. 

There is a legend that some king of Mandi had the courage to take this Shiv Lakshlag to Mandi.

 During that time, the king and his army were attacked by honey-bees from the aquarium of Shivaxlag. 

After that the king regretted his actions and started this tradition by offering butter here to make atonement for it. 

After a week this butter is removed and distributed to people as prasad. It is said that skin diseases are cured by applying this Prasad.

The Matsya Purana states that the person who donates to a Brahmin in the full moon of the month of Magha. He attains Brahmaloka. Donation is done on this day in Tattapani near the capital Shimla.

Tattapani near the capital Shimla.

The judgment states that the person should bath in the holy river at least once during the month of Magha. Even though bathing yoga cannot be done for the whole month, one day bath can be made the successor of heaven.

In the month of Magh, if the sun is situated in Capricorn, a pilgrimage must be taken. It is described in the scriptures and Puranas that Lord Narayana can be attained by worshiping and bathing in this month.

The most popular festival in Andhra Pradesh

Makar Sankranti festival 2023

Makar Sankranti is celebrated for the beginning of the harvesting season in India. 
The typical festival of  Makar Sankranti in Andhra Pradesh lasts for three days. All the houses are decorated Guests and in-laws are invited and dessert is served to all.

People dress themselves up as mythological characters. On the first day, ie Bhogi Panduga, people burn all the old articles. The second day is the day of Pedda Panduga Sankranti when there is a big festival.

Meanwhile, the cultural domination of the state comes to the forefront as Andhra Pradesh everywhere reflects the festive spirit.

 People wear new clothes and pray to God. A feast is also arranged for the guests. Cock-fighting was a favorite sport during Makar Sankranti, but it is now banned in Andhra Pradesh. 

On the third day, Kanu Panduga is the day of eating meat after excessive sweets. It is celebrated the majority over the country, especially in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. In Andhra Pradesh, Makar Sankranti is celebrated for three days.