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Makar Sankranti

Surya dev

  • Puja vidhi
  • 6 Wishes to send
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Makar Sankranti

Why it is celebrated

Makar Sankranti is the day the Sun moves from Sagittarius into Capricorn (Makar), these days on 14 or 15 January. From this time the Sun is seen as moving north (Uttarayan) and the days slowly grow longer. It is a harvest festival, also celebrated as Pongal, Uttarayan, Magh Bihu, Khichdi and Poush Sankranti.

The story

A folk story says that Surya dev and his son Shani dev had not been on good terms for a long time. Surya dev was upset with Shani and with his mother, Chhaya. Then a time came when Shani dev's home, the sign of Kumbh, was burnt black, and he was left with nothing.

Even though his father was angry with him, Shani dev still respected him. When Surya dev came to visit, Shani dev had only black sesame (til) to welcome him. With great love, he worshipped his father with that til.

Seeing his son's true love, Surya dev's heart melted. He blessed Shani dev that when he came to Shani's other home, the sign of Makar, that home would be full and happy again.

That is why on Makar Sankranti til is offered to Surya dev and til-gud is shared. Sesame and jaggery together remind us to keep our relationships sweet. In Maharashtra, people share til-gud saying, 'Tilgul ghya, god god bola', which means 'take til-gud and speak sweetly'.

Puja vidhi

  1. Bathe early in the morning in a holy river, or add Ganga jal and a little til to your bath water.
  2. Put water, red flowers, rice and til in a copper lota and offer arghya to the rising sun.
  3. Chant 'Om Suryaya Namah' and do Surya dev's aarti.
  4. Give til, jaggery, khichdi, blankets or warm clothes as daan, as you wish.
  5. Share til-gud with your family and eat food made from the new harvest.
  6. If you fly kites, look out for birds and avoid sharp, glass-coated manjha.

Food

Til-gud laddoos, gajak, chikki and khichdi; Pongal in the South, undhiyu in Gujarat and pithe in Bengal.

Wishes to send

  • Warm wishes on Makar Sankranti! May Surya dev's light fill your life with new energy and warmth.

  • Have some til-gud and speak sweetly. Lots of Sankranti greetings to you!

  • May your dreams fly high like a kite, with the string held by your loved ones. Happy Makar Sankranti!

  • A new harvest, new sunshine and a new beginning. Best wishes on Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Uttarayan and Magh Bihu.

  • The Sun has turned north and the days are growing longer. May the light in your life keep growing too.

  • The smell of khichdi, the sweetness of til and the company of loved ones: have a blessed Makar Sankranti.

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