Makar Sankranti popularly known as Sankranti or Makara Sankranti is a Hindu festival celebrated in almost all parts of India, Nepal and Bangladesh in their own cultural forms. The festival occurs in the month of January and is dedicated to the Lord Surya Dev. As of Nepali Calendar, It is a harvest festival occurring in the month of Magh.
The festival Sankranti indicates the transition of the sun into the zodiacal sign of Makara. It is also known as the thanksgiving festival and one of the traditional events of Hindus, which usually falls on 14th of January, every year as of Nepali Calendar.
The interesting fact of Makar Sankaranti is, that it’s one of the oldest solstice festivals that falls on the equinox, which means having the day and night on this day be equally long.
It is considered as the start of spring or the onset of Indian summer. It signifies the longer days and shorter nights.
Though this festival is celebrated, all over India, it is called by different names in different places. While Makar Sankranti is most popular in West India, south Indians called this festival as Pongal and North people celebrated it as Lohri. There are also some other names of the same festival and those are Uttarayan, Maghi, Khichdi.
The Indians have the practice of Kite- flying from the old days usually in the early hours of the morning. The awesome reason behind this practice is that, exposing the skin and body in the early morning sun is considered more beneficial that eventually can remove the bad bacteria on their bodies.
Distributing the festival sweets, sesame and jaggery is common among the people. These sweets signify the bonding and good health.
Shub Muhurat Puja Time
Maka Sankranti’s Punya Kaal is the time between Makar Sankranti and 40 Ghatis is good for all the auspicious works. In addition, this particular duration of forty Ghatis is known as Punya Kaal. The Sankranti activities will be taking place in this auspicious hour. It involves the activities like taking bath, offering Naivedhya to Lord Surya, offering charity or Dakshina to the pilgrimages, then performing Shraddha rituals and breaking fast or Parana, should be done during Punya Kaal.
All Punya Kaal activities should be done in daytime. When there is, a chance of Makar Sankranti happens after Sunset then all Punya Kaal activities are postponed until next day Sunrise.
The timings of the 2023 Makara Sankranti Phalam is as follows,
Makara Sankranti on Sunday, 15th January 2023
Makara Sankranti Punya Kala – 07:15 AM to 05:46 PM
Duration – 10 Hours 31 Mins
Makara Sankranti Maha Punya Kala – 07:15 AM to 09:00 AM
Duration – 01 Hour 45 Mins
Makara Sankranti Moment – 08:57 PM, 14th January 2023
Note: Sankranti Punya Kaal is different for all cities across the country.
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