When is Makarsankranti festival


In 2016 Sankranti is on Jan 15, 2016. Generally Sankranti is celebrated on Jan 14 every year
In Nepal ( Kirat community)New year start from Makarsankranti day. It is called Yele Dhung.
Based on the rical evidence Kirat calendar was started when King Yalamber conquered Kathmandu valley.

History and Significance of Makarsankranti
Makar (capricorn) is a Hindu zodiac sign and Sankranti means to change direction. According to Hindu calendar, Makar sankranti occurs when sun changes its direction northwards from Dhanu Rashi (Sagittarius) to enter the Makar Rashi (Capricorn) in the month of Poush. Makar Sankranti is considered very auspicious day and it is believed any sacred ritual or task can be started or performed on this day and it will be fruitful .It marks the beginning of harvesting season and end of chilly winter season.
Makarsankranti celebration is also tied to end of winter, harvesting season and festival is celebrated to thank God for good harvesting season and providing prosperity.

What are various names of Makar sankranti

Makarsankranti is celebrated with different names in various part of India and across the workd.

  • Makarsankranti in most of India
  • Pongal in AP, Tamilnadu
  • Makara Sankrama in Karnataka
  • Uttarayan in Gujarat
  • Kichdi in UP, Bihar, Uttarakhan
  • Maghi in Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab
  • Bhogali Bihu in Assam
  • Pongal in Srilanka
  • Maghe Sankranti in Nepal
  • Songkran in Thailand
  • Thingyan in Myanmar
  • Moha Sangkran in Combodia
  • Pi Ma Lao in Laos

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How people celebrate the festival

Eating Til, Gud, Chikki and Gajjak
On Lohri, Makar Sankranti people eat Til Gud, Gajjak, Revri,e sesame and jaggery laddoos, chikkis.
They are generally accompanied by the saying, "Til-gul ghya ani gud gud bola"
Festival fall in winter. This is perfect season to eat Til Gud.

Participate in Kite Festival

On Makarsankranti there is tradition of Kite flying. It is very popular in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
The tradition started in old days when Kite-flying was generally done in the early hours of the morning, when the sun's rays were bright but not too harsh.

Also, during kite-flying in Sun, the human body was exposed to the sun for many long hours.
The early morning sun rays is considered beneficial for the skin and body.

This is fun way to involve kids in religious festival so that they get benefit from sun rays.

Detail information on MakarSakranti Festival