India is a country with many different cultures. Not only do we practise several religions, but we also have distinct holiday celebrations. Makar Sankranti is one such festival that is widely observed not only in our nation but also in a few other nations. January 15th is when Poush Sankranti 2024 is celebrated, just like it is every year.
A notable feature of the event are the several fairs that take place in the days leading up to it. Every twelve years, the Kumbha Mela is conducted in either Nashik, Ujjain, Prayag (Allahabad), or Haridwar. Every year, the Magha Mela is conducted in Prayag; the Gangasagar Mela is hosted at the Ganges River’s mouth; the Tusu Mela is held in Jharkhand and West Bengal; and the Makara Mela is held in Odisha.
2024’s Makar Sankranti
The table below lists the various names that the festival goes by around the world.
Name of Festival
states
Makar Sankranti
Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Goa, Odisha, Haryana, Bihar, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka
- Uzhavar Thirunal Pongal
- Sri Lanka’s Tamil Nadu
- The Uttarayans
- Gujarat
- Maghi
- Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Haryana (Punjabi folks celebrate Lohri one day early.)
- Bihu Bhogali
- The Assam
- Saenkraat Shishur
- Valley of Kashmir
- Khichdi Sankranti
- Western Bihar and Uttar Pradesh
- Makara Sankramana
- karnataka
- Maghe Sankranti
- Nepal
- Songkran
- Thailand
- Ma Pi Lao
- Laos
- Thingyan
- Myanmar
- Sangkran Moha
- Cambodia
- Hangrai
- Tripura
Concerning Makar Sankranti
Let’s now take a closer look at Makar Sankranti. The celebration is held on January 14, according to the Solar Calendar, when the Sun enters Makara, or the Capricorn sign. It is also possible to claim that this day glorifies the Lord Sun. It also has religious and seasonal importance. Makar Sankranti, one of the most auspicious festivals, marks the end of winter and the beginning of the new harvest season. In addition, today marks the start of the month of Magh. According to the Makar Sankranti date and time, the Sun sets out on its northward trip, or Uttarayan, which is also known as Uttrayan. Every eighty years, the day of Sankranti is postponed by one day to make up for the earth’s rotation around the Sun.
Mahar Sankranti choices!
The background of Makar Sankranti
The event is purportedly named for the goddess Sankranti, who vanquished the demon Sankarasur. Additionally, the Sun rises in the Southern Hemisphere prior to Makar Sankranti, when it begins its northward trek. According to the Mahabharata, Bhishma Pitamah postponed his death till 51 nights before Uttarayan in order to achieve Mukti and end his cycle of rebirth.
See Today’s Shubh Choghadiya Muhurat Dates and the Significance of Makar Sankranti 2024 for the Best Puja Timing.
Makar Sankranti 2024 will take place on January 15. The Punya Kala’s puja vidhi will start at 7:16 a.m. and end at 5:45 p.m., while the Maha Punya Kala’s puja and holy bath will take place from 07:15 to 09:00 a.m.
Makar Sankranti is significant because it is a day of joy and abundance. It is considered auspicious to bathe in the Ganges on this day, and worshippers offer prayers and thanks to Lord Sun for his many favours.
Makar Sankranti
Punya Kaal’s Meaning in Makar Sankranti
Punya Kaal is the brief period of time during which the Sun remains in both rashis as it moves through the signs. Punya Kaal is regarded as a fortunate time since one can obtain the blessings of both rashis during this time. On Poush Sankranti 2024, people ought to engage in charitable work, donations, Surya Puja, and other events. According to Muhurt Chintamani, the Makar Sankranti date and time for Punya Kaal is 16 Ghatis, or roughly 6 hours and 24 minutes from the Sankranti Moment; if the Sankranti Moment occurs after sunset, it occurs after sunrise.
In summary
It may surprise you to learn that, in addition to Poush Sankranti 2024, which falls on January 15 of this year, India celebrates the festival of Sankranti eleven additional times a year during which the Sun moves from one sign to another. Regardless of one’s religious beliefs, Sankranti is a very significant holiday in India since it fosters interpersonal relationships among all people.