Makar Sankranti 2025 Festival Celebration

About Makar Sankranti Festival in 2025

MakarSankranti and this year it falls on Tuesday,14 January 2025. Makar Sankranti or Makar Sakranti is a popular Hindu festival that is celebrated in India, which referred to the shift of the sun into the zodiac sign of Makar (Capricorn) on its celestial path. Makar Sankranti is also regarded as the beginning of an auspicious phase in Indian culture and the the Hindu calendar, and the day is believed to mark the arrival of spring in India.

Find information and description of the Makar Sankranti festival in English:

Makar Sankranti 2025 Date:

It usually occurs on January 14 or 15 annually, depending on the Hindu calendar and astronomical calculations. In 2025, Makar Sankranti will occur on Tuesday, 14 January 2025. The sun moves into Capricorn at 02:54 so everything else is happening when its in Capricorn.

Makar Sankranti Meaning

The word "Makar" and "Sankranti" is made up of two words i.e. "Makar" which means Capricorn and "Sankranti" which means transition of the Sun from one zodiac to another.

It signifies the entry of the sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makar) as it ends the winter solstice and begins its journey to the northern hemisphere, now that the shortest day of winter is over the days will only get longer after this.

The word "Sankranti" is derived from the movement of the sun from one zodiac sign to the other, which occurs every month. And yet, Makar Sankranti is special from the combination of Sun entering Capricorn and the commencement of 6 month period of Uttarayan.

Makar Sankranti essentially marks the change in seasons, although it is not just about winter turning to spring. It is a time of happiness, new start and first of the harvesting festivals in many spiritualist areas of India.

Why Makar Sankranti is observed?

Makar Sankranti is celebrated for a multitude of reasons, and all theories behind its celebration are cultural, religious and astronomical.

1. Sun Transition: This day coincides with the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makar). It marks the end of the winter solstice and the start of shorter nights as the sun begins a northward journey, heading closer to the northern hemisphere. It is the start of an auspicious period, Uttarayan.

2. Spring: It is largely observed as a harvest festival, celebrating spring, and agricultural products which mainly relates to wheat crop. Farmers thank for the good harvest and express yearning for successful future crop.

3. Astronomical Significance: There is an astronomy associated with the festival, as it shows a significant solar event. It represents the sun's move from one zodiac sign to another and affects the length of daylight, with significance in agriculture, specifically the planting of grains and other crops.

4. Religious Practices: For a few, Makar Sankranti involves various religious activities and customs. Bathing in the rivers especially at sacred places is considered as auspicious during the period of these months. Physiologists purport that an immersion in holy rivers expunges sins and culminates in blessings.

Makar Sankranti Symbolism of New Beginnings. Makar Sankranti is all about fresh start; the day ends the impious phase of in the Hindu days and begins a holy phase of the Hindu calendar, which is much preferred for conducting religious activities, getting married or starting new work.

Taking all this into account, Makar Sankranti is celebrated for many reasons – it signifies the commencement of the six months long auspicious period, and also marks the end of winter season; it represents agricultural prosperity; it conveys the essence of diversity of India, since it is celebrated across the country; and it has spiritual significance, and also serves as an astronomically significant day according to the Hindu calendar.

Activities on Makar Sankranti

1. Kite Flying: Flying kites is one of the most used rituals of Makar Sankranti. From every corners of India, people fly colorful kites to symbolise their happiness, joy, prosperity and to welcome the bright phase of the year.

2. Special Foods: In some regions of India, people prepare special meals with sesame, jaggery and rice to mark Makar Sankranti. In some regions, side dishes such as tilgul (a sweet made from sesame and jaggery), chikkis (prepared from nuts and jaggery), and some foods are made; in other areas, this festival is called Itikaf (fasting).

3. Holy Bath: Bathing in sacred rivers like the Ganges, Yamuna, Godavari on Makar Sankranti is considered really auspicious. It is considered that a dip in these rivers purify commuters and gives blessings.

4. Charity and Donation: The festival is known for people offering charities and helping the needy in order to acquire good karma, people usually feed the poor, give them clothes or even money.

Makar Sankranti In Various States

Makar Sankranti is observed with social festivities such as colorful decorations, rural children going house to house, singing and asking for treats (or pocket money), melas (fairs), dances, kite flying, bonfires and feasts. Here is how the festival is celebrated in different states:

1. Uttar Pradesh: In Uttar Pradesh, Makar Sankranti is referred to as "Khichdi Parv" or "Sankrant." Others take a holy dip in rivers such as the Ganges and Yamuna. Special dishes such as khichdi (rice and lentils) are cooked and eaten.

2. Gujarat: Makar Sankranti in an important festival in Gujarat which is celebrated with great zeal as Uttrayan. Kite-flying competitions take place and the sky is full of colourful kites. Special treats like undhiyu (mixed vegetable) and chikkis (sweet made with jaggery and nuts) are enjoyed.

3. Maharashtra : In Maharashtra it is known as "Makar Sankrant" (उत्तरायण), or "Sankrant" (संक्रांत) in the Marathi language. People exchange tilgul (a sweetmeat made of sesame seeds and jaggery) and  say “tilgul ghya, god god bola”, which translates to “accept this tilgul and utter sweet words.” Celebrated with flying kites, feasting on special dishes such as puran poli and offering prayers to the Sun God.

4. Punjab: The festival of Maghi is celebrated as Makar Sankranti in Punjab. Ritual baths in rivers are observed on an even larger scale, notably at the holiest of pilgrimage sites such as Haridwar. Local cuisine like sarson da saag (mustard greens) and makki di roti (cornbread) is enjoyed.

5. Tamil Nadu: Makar Sankranti is known as "Pongal" in Tamil Nadu. It is a four-day festival which according to the Tamil calendar is usually celebrated from June 14 to January 14. The four days are called Bhogi, Thai Pongal, Maatu Pongal and Kaanum Pongal. The highlight of the festival is cooking Pongal, a sweetened rice dish, in earthen pots, and decorating homes with rangolis through kolams.

6. Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh: In Karnataka, Makar Sankranti is known as "Sankranthi" or "Sankranti" and in Andhra Pradesh, it is known as "Pedda Panduga". People fly kites, make traditional sweets, such as, ellu bella (a mixture of sesame seeds, jaggery, and coconut) and participate in some cultural events.

Makar Sankranti in each state of the country is observed in a different way as it is celebrated differently with varied traditions and customs in different states commemorating the movement of the sun and advent of the harvest season with gusto, enthusiasm and happiness.

Makar Sankranti Decoration

The decorations of Makar Sankranti is centered around bright and bold themes that signify the colourful harvest season and the sun entering the Capricorn zodiac sign. Makar Sankranti decoration ideas: 1.

1. Kite Decorations: Decorate with Kites. Hang up some colourful paper kites or make a kite-shaped bunting and hang them up against the walls or on the doorways. You may also want to try making a kite shaped rangoli with a food color or colored sand.

2. Rangoli Designs: Make a detailed and colourful rangoli art at your doorstep made with colored rice, flower petals, coloured sand or chalk powder. The boxes can also be designed with traditional patterns and symbols, such as the sun, kites, flowers or geometric shapes.

3. Curtains and Fabrics: Dress up your home with bright and colourful fabric or dupattas. You can hang them on walls, windows or over doorways to give your space a festive feel.

4. Fruit and Flower Decor: Put fruits like sugarcane and oranges and flowers like marigolds, rose in the decorative bowl, basket. These are a symbol of plenty and the season of harvests.

5. Torans or Door Hangings: String some decorative torans or door hangings of mango leaves, marigold flowers or those with embroidered or mirror work.

6. Lamps and Candles : Scatter diyas (clay lamps) or candles around the house. An oil lamp in brass or clay with flowers or colored stones can be your centerpiece.

7. Pot Painting: Colorful earthen pots or pitchers can be painted with vivid colors and motifs. These cute pots can be placed on the desk or decorated on the wall.

8. Sesame Seed String Decoration: Prepare strings of sesame seeds along with jaggery (tilgul) and hang around the house. These strings are not only for decoration but carry a ritualistic significance being the customary offering for Makar Sankranti.

9. Antique Artifacts: Dcor with antique pieces such as brass utensils, idolatos deities, handicrafts, etc. which will further attempt to create required festival ambiance.

Just like the festive spirit, Makar Sankranti decorations frequently feature bright colours, traditional prints and symbols and elements associated with the harvest and prosperity. These ideas can be combined in many different ways to make your home all bright and festive.

Makar Sankranti is a celebration of the new season, prosperity and is observed differently in different regions of India. It is observed with enthusiasm and intensity, bringing the people together in common customs and happy feasting.