Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti 2025 : Date, Pooja Items, and celebration

Dec 04, 2024Cycle Care

Makar Sankranti is a popular festival celebrated with joy, happiness and great enthusiasm in India. Makar Sankranti is a special day to express gratitude, come together with loved ones, and celebrate life's blessings. Let’s explore the significance and traditions that make this Makar Sankranti festival so unique and cherished.

When is Makar Sankranti?

Makar Sankranti will be celebrated this year on Tue, 14 Jan, 2025 according to the Gregorian calendar. The festival marks the transition of the Sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makara) and signals the end of the winter solstice.

Why is Makar Sankranti Celebrated?

Makar Sankranti festival is celebrated to thank the Sun God (Surya) for giving us life and energy. It marks the start of longer days and the harvest season. Farmers show their gratitude for good crops, and families gather to celebrate nature’s blessings.

What is Makar Sankranti?

Makar Sankranti is known by different names in India, such as Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Uttarayan in Gujarat, and Magh Bihu in Assam. It is a  harvest festival celebrated in various forms in India to mark the transition of the Sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makar) in its celestial path. Where darkness gives way to light and hope.

Makar Sankranti Pooja Items

To perform the traditional rituals of Makar Sankranti, the following items are commonly required:

  • Pooja Thali – A plate for holding all the pooja items.
  • Kumkum (Vermilion) – For applying to the forehead and offerings.
  • Rice (Akshat) – Uncooked rice for offerings.
  • Fresh Flowers – To decorate the altar and make offerings.
  • Til (Sesame Seeds) – Sesame seeds are important as they are offered in prayers for good health and prosperity.
  • Jaggery – Often used in making sweets and offered during the pooja for sweetness and good luck.
  • Sugarcane – Symbolizes prosperity and is placed in the pooja area.
  • Coconut – A symbol of purity, it is offered as part of the rituals.
  • Mango Leaves – Traditionally placed on the pooja thali or altar as a sign of auspiciousness.
  • Kites – While not directly part of the pooja, flying kites is an important tradition during Makar Sankranti.
  • Ghee Diya – A small lamp with ghee or oil to light during prayers.
  • Gangajal – Holy water from the Ganges river, used for purification.
  • Banana or Other Fruits – Offered as part of the fruit offerings during the pooja.

How to Celebrate Makar Sankranti ?

People celebrate it with joy and traditions like flying kites, making and sharing sweets, Bathing in sacred rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, or Godavari is considered auspicious, and offering prayers. Also, donating food, clothes, and money to the needy is an integral part of the festival. It’s a festival that brings families and communities together to celebrate the harvest season and the changing season.

What is the Meaning of Makar Sankranti?

The term "Makar Sankranti" translates to the Sun's transit into Capricorn (Makara). It signifies a spiritual journey from ignorance to wisdom and marks the start of an auspicious phase in Hindu culture. It is a time of renewal, hope, and harmony.

Makar Sankranti is a festival of gratitude, joy, and cultural significance. As the Sun begins its northward journey, it encourages us to be positive, spread joy, and appreciate the blessings in our lives. Wishing you and your families delightful and prosperous Happy Makar Sankranti 2025!

More articles