Makar Sankranti Festival

Sankranthi or Sankranti is a festival that signifies the beginning of the harvest season for the farmers of Indian Sub-Continent. This is a harvest festival celebrated not only all over India but other South East Asian Countries as well. Makara Sankranti has special geo-agri-economical significance o people of Indian Sub-Continent.Makara Sankaranti is about transition of Sun into Capricorn on its celestial path.

This is significant considering the Winter Solstice marks the beginning of the gradual increase of the duration of the day. Traditionally, this has been one of many harvest days. The day on which the sun begins its journey northwards is referred to as Makara Sankranti.

Sankramana means "to commence movement". Hence, the name Makara Sankranti is given to one of the largest, most auspicious, but varied festivals in the Indian subcontinent. It usually falls in the middle of January. Because of the geography and size of India, this festival is celebrated for innumerable reasons depending on the climate, agricultural environment, cultural background and location.

Makar sankranti 2021

Makar Sankranti 2021 is on Friday, the 15th of January. Unlike most of the other Indian Hindu festivals, the date of Makar Sankranti is fixed. It is celebrated on 14th January every year. In 2021, the Makar Sankranti is falling on friday. The festival is celebrated throughout the country with different names and different rituals. At some places, it is considered auspicious to fly kites, while at other places eating 'Khichdi' (instant rice-daal mix) is considered fortunate. Til and Rice are said to be the vital ingredients of this festival.

In the rice-eating belt of Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, most of the festive dishes are rice-centric. A popular fair named Gangasagar Mela, is also organized on this occasion on banks of river Hooghly, near Calcutta. In Andhra Pradesh, Makar Sankranti occasion is considered 'Pedda Panduga' meaning big festival. The entire event lasts for four days, the first day called Bhogi, the second day Sankranti, the third day Kanuma and the fourth day, Mukkanuma.