India is a land of festivals and fairs.

Every day of the year, there is a festival celebrated in some part of the country. Some festivals welcome the seasons of the year, the harvest, the rains, or the full moon. Others celebrate religious occasions, the birthdays of divine beings, saints, and gurus (revered teachers), or the advent of the New Year. A number of these festivals are common to most parts of India. However, they may be called by different names in various parts of the country or may be celebrated in a different fashion.

Festival: An occasion for feasting or celebration, especially a day or time of religious significance that recurs at regular intervals.

January (Margshirsha / Magh)

India is the land wrapped in a coloured packet of celebrating many fairs and festivals. Each Indian festival depicts deep philosophical inference which presents an unparalleled diction to the brilliance of that specific fiesta.

The month of January brings with itself the charm of new dreams and desires. Month of January is the beginning of another year of life leaving behind the memories of the past and hopes of achieving new heights and setting up new dimensions.

Unlike several other months, the month of January also brings itself a mix blend of festivals of all communities. The month begins with the celebration of New Year celebrated on January 1st and ending of a week’s celebration of Christmas Festival starting December 25th.

The first fortnight of January is considered as the festive season for all the Hindu communities whether they are in Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Assam or Bengal. All of them are in a mood of joy and celebration. In other words, the beginning of the year starts with the festive season. The series of these festivals begins with celebrating the Jayanti of 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. These festivals are not only celebrated by Hindus but people from all communities participate in these festivals with full courage and communal spirit.

The second week of January brings the joys of festivals from north India to South India. Where the people in North India celebrate the festivals like Lohiri, Makar Sankranti, the people in South India celebrate Pongal festival where as people in East Indian State like Assam celebrate the festival of a  Magh Bihu. Though, the names of these festivals are different but their impact is common i.e., spread of the feeling of joy and friendship and fraternity among the people.

Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti – is an auspicious day based on the movement of the Sun (Surya).

‘Makar’ or ‘Makara’ refers to ‘Makara rashi’ – the zodiac corresponding to Capricorn.  ‘Sankranti’ in Sanskrit means ‘to cross into’ or the day when sun enters from one zodiac sign to another.

So Makar Sankranti is the day when the sun enters into the zodiac Capricorn. It is also known as Uttarayana Punyakalam or the entry of sun into the Northern Hemisphere. The six-month long Uttarayana begins on this day. Makar Sakranti is also celebrated with great enthusiasm as the Kite flying day.

Makar Sankranti is celebrated in the Hindu month of Magh in Bengal, Paush in North India, Dhanu in Kerala and Margazhi in Tamil Nadu.

This date progresses in the English Calendar.

Why? Usually the day of Hindu celebrations vary from year to year in English Calendar.

Hindu calendar is based on the movement of the moon and therefore it is a lunar calendar. Hence the change in the date of various celebrations with corresponding English Calendar. But Makar Sankranti is based on solar movement and therefore it has almost a fixed date.

But depending on the movement of the sun from

south to north, Makar Sankranti date progresses i.e., a decade ago Makar Sankranti was observed on January 12 and later on 13. Now it is on 14 or 15. In future it will be observed on January 16.

Significance of Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is of great significance to a devout Hindu. Lord Surya (Sun God) is worshiped on this day. Every living and non-living being merges with the Brahman and Sun is the Pratyaksha-Brahman or the Brahman that can be seen.

Makar Sankranti also heralds the arrival of spring. The importance of Sun to earth and to the living beings was understood by Hindus from the very beginning. And the importance of it can be found in the Gayatri Mantra chanted to Sun (Surya) daily.

Makar Sankranti signals the end of winter and the onset of spring throughout the northern hemisphere. The period is referred to as Uttarayan Punyakalam and is considered auspicious. For the next six months, the days are longer and warmer. Legend has it that the Devas wake up after a six-month long slumber during this period.

There is also a symbolic meaning to Makar Sankranti. ‘Makar’ means crocodile. Sankranti means ‘to cross into or change.’ The ‘Makara’ or crocodile represents the materialistic world and ‘Sankranti’ gives an opportunity to get away from the clutches of the crocodile or the materialistic world.

The six month long Uttarayana begins on the Makar Sankrant day. From this day, the harshness of winter subsides and the days get longer. Symbolically, the Sun slowly removes darkness and ushers in the light of knowledge. Uttarayana is also the daytime of the Devas and therefore auspicious activities takes place during this period.

There are also numerous legends and myths which add to the importance of Makar Sankranti.

One of the most important myths is the death of Bhishma Pitamaha in the Mahabharata. Bhishma chose the Uttarayan period. (Bhisma had got a boon from his father that he will only die when he wishes.) It is believed that people who die during Uttarayana merges with the Brahman, thus ending the cycle of rebirth.

Legend also has it that Lord Vishnu buried Asuras on this day beneath the Mandara Mountain. It signifies the end of evil and the dawn of righteousness.

Another legend is that King Bhageeratha brought Ganges down to Patala on Makar Sankranti day. This was to get salvation to his ancestors who were cursed by Sage Kapila and turned into ashes. On this day millions of people take bath in the Ganges. Makar Sankranti is also an important bathing date during Kumbh Mela and Magh Mela.

Puranas state that on Makar Sankranti day, Surya visits Lord Shani. In mythology Lord Shani, is the son of Surya.

The last week of January brings the pride to Indian Constitution when India celebrates Republic Day on January 26th.

30th January is the most memorable day as the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated on this day. Mahatma Gandhi, popularly called Bapu, is well-known throughout the world for preaching non violence and truth. This day is also dedicated to the memory of martyrs.