Makar Sankranti / Pongal 2021

2021 Makara Sankranti Phalam

Makar Sankranti Punya Kaal Muhurta
Makara Sankranti on Thursday, January 14, 2021
Makara Sankranti Punya Kala – 08:30 AM to 05:46 PM
Duration – 09 Hours 16 Mins
Makara Sankranti Maha Punya Kala – 08:30 AM to 10:15 AM
Duration – 01 Hour 45 Mins

Makar Sankranti, a major harvest festival in India, is celebrated throughout the country. This harvest festival is celebrated on the 14th of January and the interesting fact is that it is one of the few Indian festivals that falls on the same day every year.

Sun is worshiped on this day, as he is regarded as the symbol of divinity and wisdom. It happens when the Sun begins its movement into the Tropic of Capricorn (Makar) and proceeds towards the equator towards the north called Uttarayan. Therefore, it is called Makar Sankranti.

In each region, Makar Sankranti is celebrated in different names. In some regions like Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh, people celebrate the festival by flying kites. Makar Sankranti generally marks the beginning of the Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh while in Kerala the Makara Jyothi is visible in Sabarimala and the Makaravilakku celebrations end on this auspicious day. In South India, it is called Sankranti but Tamilians call it Pongal. Earlier, Pongal was a festival for villagers & farmers, but nowadays it is celebrated by all. Pongal is a four-day festival celebrated on the arrival of a fresh harvest. Each day of the festival has a special significance.

The festival is started with Bhogi, which means enjoyment. On the day of Bhogi people dispose of old unwanted things like clothes, household items in fire and welcome new things. The second day is called Sankranti in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka, whereas in Tamil Nadu the second day is known as Surya Pongal. People celebrate the festival by cooking the traditional Pongal (rice pudding) with fresh milk and new rice, it is a simple dish with great significance for the community. While cooking the Pongal, the pot is tied with fresh turmeric leaves. They allow the milk to boil out of the pot and it is believed to be a happy event. On this day, people also prepare sweets and visit relative’s homes and give gifts in a spirit of happiness. The next day is Mattu Pongal. On this day, cows and buffaloes are worshipped and treated with nourishing food.

The last day is called Kanum Pongal, Kanum means seeing. On this day people go out for sightseeing and to relatives’ homes for their blessings. On the same day, sisters pray for their brother’s good health and prosperity by feeding the crows and other birds.

On the whole, Makar Sankranti is a splendid celebration of tradition and it is believed that taking a holy dip in a holy river on this day is considered to cleanse all the sins and will lead to Moksha (salvation).