Makar Sankranti

Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh

Constellation - RASHI
12 x 30o = 360o
30o
 Constellation - RASHI
The Zodiac is divided into 12 Rashis (Constellations)

• Crocodile • Lion • Crab • Ram

• MAKAR • Simha • Karka • Mesh
Crossing of the Sun from one Rashi to the next is 'Sankranti'
 Makar Sankrant
• Mostly celebrated on 14 January
(Some traditions celebrate it on 10th Jan)
• Majority festivals are based on Lunar
Calendar.
• Makar Sankranti is based on solar calendar
• First of the six utsavs celebrated in Shakha
• Explain why ?
• What does ‘Makar Sankrant’ mean?
 Makar Sankranti

 Makar – refers to the constellation (rashi)

Capricorn
 Sam (good) + Kranti (change/ revolution)
 Makar Sankranti is the day the Sun enters
Makar (Capricorn) rashi.
 It marks the day the Sun starts moving north and
(uttarayan) the half of the year characterized by
increasing daylight begins.
Astronomical Significance
•Days and nights created by
spinning of the earth
•Earth wobbles like a spin top

•For 6 months it tilts

towards the Sun
(Uttarayan) and 6 months
away from the Sun
(Dakshinayan)
 Importance of 14 January
• Shortest day is on 22
December
• Thereafter days become
longer
• But the Sun begins to rise
earlier from 14 January
 New Year Day
• Until 1752, Makar Sankranti used to be on 1st Jan
• 12 days were added to the English calendar in 1752
• Year 1800 was not a leap year so 1 more day was added
• Now Makar Sankranti is on 14th January
• From year 2100 it will be on 15th January
 Til & Gud
• Til (sesame seeds) - Full of goodness
• Gud (jaggery) - Binds the seeds and adds
sweetness
• Til and Gud delicacies, if eaten in moderate
quantities, it helps cope up with cold adverse
weather.
• Symbolizes family and social bonding.
• Swayamsevaks are like individual seeds
• Aatmiyata / affection, compassion binds
them together.
• Shakha offers opportunity to learn a lot and
practice team work.
 Significance
• Victory of light over darkness
• Indicative of transition
• Change for good
• Start of the year with new ideas, more
energy and vigour
• Be thankful for all that you have
• More strength and fun in working together
• Oh, Forgot to mention about fun filled kite
flying event. You, too enjoy it, don’t you?
 Regional Variation
• Makar Sankranti is celebrated all over India with some regional
variations:
• North India,
– In Punjab, Haryana – it’s called Lohri
– In North East India (Bengal, Assam) - it’s called Bhogali Bihu
– In Gujarat, Rajasthan – It’s widely known for Uttarayan and
Kite flying festival
In Maharashtra, it’s popular among kids for kite flying and
traditional Haldi Kumkum event bring women neighborhood
together. They exchange sweets and greetings etc.
• South India ,
– In Kerala and Tamilnadu - It’s called Pongal.
– In Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh – It’s called Sankranti
• In other parts of India it’s celebrated as Makara Sankranti.
• Expressing gratitude for harvest adds to the spirit of celebration.
 Regional Variation
• In Gujrat, traditionally, UNDHIU (a mix of vegetables and green beans)
and PURI are served on the festival. Other traditional snacks include
CHIKKI (a sweet peanut / nuts bar) and fruits like berries and guava.
• In Maharashtra, Til Gud recipies are common. The married ladies in
Maharashtra arrange "haldi kum kum", an auspicious religious get together
by way of which they call upon their friends and relatives and distribute
sweets and gifts.
• In Maharashtra, exchange of til-gud is indicative of overcoming hard
feelings and bonding for sweet relations.
• In south India, pongal (rice cooked with milk and jaggery) is served at
homes and temples.
• Makara Sankranti is celebrated in Kerala at Sabarimale where the Makara
Jyoti is visible followed by the Makara Vilakku celebrations.
• In Punjab, Haryana, the ritual is done to welcome newly wed or newly born
in front of holy bonfire where in they offer water soaked rice grains. It’s
marked with the spirit of thankful expression for the harvest.
 Celebrations Outside India
In Nepal,
- Tharu people – celebrate it as Maghi
– Other people – Maghe Sankranti or Maghe Sakrati

The Hindu migrated outside India continue to celebrate

this festival on different scales.
In USA, it’s becoming very popular. In Houston, TX, 4
to 5 thousand gather for kite flying.
Marathi Mandals continue tradition of Haldi kumkum
 Now, it’s your turn to say …
• How would you celebrate it ? Why ?
• What do you like about it ? Why ?
• What did you find inadequately explained ?
• Research for an answer / explanation.
• Share that info. with others.
• More info. on other related traditions.
• Discuss the significance and relevance
 Tasks to Learn
 Care for your folks, your friends in and outside of Shakha
 Learn to make a kite and manja.
 Learn to cook – Pongal, Til Gul, Laddoo, Chikki, Undhiu,
Puri, Dahi-Poha etc.
 Share your joys with others.
 Know your friends, their problems, if any.
 How can you be of help to them, in any way ?
 How to overcome hard feelings and start over a new
bond ?