Makar Sankranti, the festival of joy and liberation

Makar Sankranti, also popularly known as Uttarayan, is celebrated in the month of Magh as per the Vedic calendar, which corresponds to January. It is dedicated to pay homage to the Sun God (Suryadev) by offering prayers acknowledging his divine forces that sustain life. This festival is observed across the country under different names and is a wonderful example of India’s cultural diversity.

Makar Sankranti marks as the season of harvest and the arrival of spring with the transition of the Sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makar). It also indicates the beginning of the northward journey of the Sun, hence called Uttarayan. This event usually falls on January 14th every year, symbolizing the major weather shift from chilly winters to warm and longer days. With this article, let's explore various cultural, spiritual and historical facts around Makar Sankranti.

Makar Sankranti Celebrations Across India

Makar Sankranti is widely celebrated in varying manners with regional customs, conceptions and iconic delicacies associated with it. In Gujrat,  the festive vibes of Uttarayan are visually appealing as the state hosts the biggest kite-flying events. Sweets and delicacies made with sesame seeds and jaggery are specially enjoyed at this time. While Tamil Nadu celebrates Pongal to worship the Sun, Poush Sankranti is celebrated in West Bengal, Bhogali Bihu in Assam, Lohri in Punjab, Pusna in Meghalaya, Tila Sankrant in Odisha, Khichdi Parv in Uttar Pradesh, Magh Mela in Andhra Pradesh, Suggi Habba in Karnataka and Shishur Saenkrant in Kashmir.

Makar Sankranti and its correlation with Mahakumbh

Srimad Bhagavatam 5.17.9 describes the origin of the Ganges and its flow in different parts of our country. Here, we can see the mention of Prayagraj and benefit of the ritualistic dip in the sacred rivers. 

तथैवालकनन्दा दक्षिणेन ब्रह्मसदनाद्ब‍हूनि गिरिकूटान्यतिक्रम्य हेमकूटाद्धैमकूटान्यतिरभसतररंहसा लुठयन्ती भारतमभिवर्षं दक्षिणस्यां दिशि जलधिमभिप्रविशति यस्यां स्‍नानार्थं चागच्छत: पुंस: पदे पदेऽश्वमेधराजसूयादीनां फलं न दुर्लभमिति ॥ ९ ॥

Purport elaborately explains that the place where the Ganges flows into the salt water of the Bay of Bengal is still known as Gaṅgā-sāgara, or the meeting place of the Ganges and the Bay of Bengal. On Makara-saṅkrānti, in the month of January—February, thousands of people still go there to bathe, hoping to be liberated. That they can actually be liberated in this way is confirmed herein. For those who bathe in the Ganges at any time, the results of great sacrifices like the Aśvamedha and Rājasūya yajña are not at all difficult to achieve. At Prayāga (Allahabad), many thousands of people gather during the month of January to bathe in the confluence of the Ganges and Yamunā. 

Uttarayan & its correlation with Bishma Pitmah’s demise

In the Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 8, Verse 23-26, Lord Krishna explains the significance of principles associated with Uttarayan for liberation and salvation. In these verses, Lord Krishna answers Arjuna’s question “How can one be united with God at the time of death?” 

यत्र काले त्वनावृत्तिमावृत्तिं चैव योगिन: |

प्रयाता यान्ति तं कालं वक्ष्यामि भरतर्षभ || 23||

अग्निर्ज्योतिरह: शुक्ल: षण्मासा उत्तरायणम् |

तत्र प्रयाता गच्छन्ति ब्रह्म ब्रह्मविदो जना: || 24||

धूमो रात्रिस्तथा कृष्ण: षण्मासा दक्षिणायनम् |

तत्र चान्द्रमसं ज्योतिर्योगी प्राप्य निवर्तते || 25||

शुक्लकृष्णे गती ह्येते जगत: शाश्वते मते |

एकया यात्यनावृत्तिमन्ययावर्तते पुन: || 26|

This briefly means, the bright daylight, the moonlit fortnight of śhuklaḥ or the bright ascending moon, and the uttaraayan, the northern course of the sun, are all considered the time of light. The God-conscious souls; who detach from worldly attachments and depart by the path of light (knowledge and discrimination) attain God. They are liberated from the wheel of samsara, the cycle of life and death, and reach the divine Abode of God.

Bhishma Pitamah was blessed with the boon of icchamrityu for his immense sacrifices and good deeds. During the battle of Mahabharata, when he was pierced by numerous arrows, despite his pain he chose not to die immediately.  Enduring the unbearable pain he lay on the bed of arrows, waiting for the auspicious time of Uttarayan to let go of his mortal body and to ensure his soul’s liberation. It is the time to get free from material bondage and break the cycle of life and death to reach the ultimate divine abode of God.

The role of dharma 

The importance of the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti is not confined to the harvest season. The day of Makar Sankranti is greatly relevant to some prominent historical happenings and plays a pivotal role in spiritual progression. Additionally, this festival emphasizes the practice of charity and act of service, especially for saints and sadhus. People specifically donate til and gur (sesame and jaggery) with grains and clothes to the needy. Makar Sankranti is the perfect time to get the benefits of spiritual enlightenment, righteous living and to learn compassion.