Religious Implications of Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is India’s major festival. This day, sun moves from Tropic of Capricorn (Dakhshinayan) to Tropic of Cancer (Uttarayana). Makar Sankranti is celebrated in different states of nation with different names. In Tamil Nadu, it is called Pongal. In Assam, it is celebrated as Magh Bihu and Bhogal Bihu. In states of Punjab and Haryana, it is celebrated as Lohri festival. In Uttar Pradesh, it is celebrated as Khichdi or Donation festival. In Bihar, it is known as Til Sankranti or Khichdi festival.

Religious beliefs associated with Makar Sankranti

The way Makar Sankranti is celebrated in every state of India with faith and joy; it can be guessed that the festival has some religious beliefs. This festival is mentioned in many of our religious text which enlighten about the festival’s religious significance. The religious scripture, “Gita” which is known as the voice of Lord Krishna, illustrates that six months of Uttarayana is the day time of deity. And, the 6 months of Dakhshinayan is the night for Gods.  It is believed that person who scarifies his body in Uttarayana gets a position in ‘Krishna Lok’. That person gets liberation, whereas, the one who dies in Dakhshinayan, has to be reborn. 

In the era of Mahabharata, Bhishma Pithama had a blessing of wish death. Although lying on the bed of arrows, he did not sacrifice his life in the Dakhshinayan, and waited for the Sun to go in Uttarayana. It is believed that on the day of Makar Sankranti, when sun entered in the Uttarayana, Bhishma Pithama discarded his body.

In the case of Makar Sankranti, there is one more religious story which states that, Yashoda Mata kept fast to have Lord Krishna as her son. The story of Gangawatran is also linked with Makar Sankranti. It is said that on the day of Makar Sankranti, Ganga followed Bhagirath Muni and met the ocean. Conjunction of Ganga and ocean is the reason behind crowd of devotees taking bath in Ganagasagar on Makar Sankranti.

Capricorn is a sign of Saturn. On the day of Makar Sankranti, sun enters into the sign of Saturn. Sun God is the father of Saturn. Father goes to meet his son in his home. Saturn and Sun, both are might planets, whose auspicious blessings can make humans achieve great success. Hence, on the holy festival of Makar Sankranti people delight sun and Saturn.

The Festival of Truth, Virtue and Religion

Night is considered as the symbol of sin, false and wrong doings, whereas, day is regarded as the symbol of truth, virtue and religion. So, when it is day for Gods, all work of virtue is performed. The fruit of work is also good. On the day of Makar Sankranti when sun enters the Uttarayana, days become long and night becomes shorter. From this day the doors of Heaven are opened, so people celebrate the auspicious occasion.

The Festival of Blessings

From the day of Makar Sankranti, the sun enters in Uttarayana resulting in long days. Married women pray to Sun God for long life of their husbands and give gifts to their elders, in return take blessing that the way days are getting longer, similarly, the life of their husbands also keep increasing.

Inspired by all these beliefs and feelings people celebrate the festival of Makar Sankranti.