Makar Sankranti, an Indian festival, which brings a lot of enthusiasm among the people, falls on January 14 of every year. Makar Sankranti signifies the transition of Sun from one zodiac sign to the other. It is on this day that the Sun invades the sphere of Capricorn (Makara) zodiac. Makar Sankranti festival happens when the length of the day and night is equal, i.e., on an equinox. After Makar Sankranti, the nights get shorter while the days grow longer till the next equinox. Makar Sankranti also holds importance as a beginning of auspicious phase or the sacred phase of transition.
Makar Sankranti is celebrated all over India but is known by different names. Makar Sankranti is known as Uttarayan in Gujarat, Pongal in Tamil Nadi, and Maghi in Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. On this auspicious day, people exchange sweets made from jaggery and sesame seeds known as til-gul greeting each other “til gul ghyaa god god bola.” The basic notion in its exchange is to forget the sad moments and give a warm welcome to the new phase of life. The significance of sesame seeds is that it provides good oil, needed by the body as winter dries up the moisture, and keeps the body warm.
Makar Sankranti is also signified as Mata Mahishasurmardini first set foot on Earth, in the ashram of Devahuti and Rishi Kardam in Katraaj, with the intention of destroying the demon Mahishasur.
The “Sankrant Kosalali,” a Marathi term meaning “Sankranti has befallen us” is derived from the incident of the Third Battle of Panipat on January 14, 1761.
So people, this the history behind the celebration of “Makar Sankranti”. Hope you enjoyed reading it. Wish you all a Happy Makar Sankranti..!!!!