There are twelve zodiacs and there are twelve Sankranti. But from these, the significance of Makar Sankranti is great. So why is Makar Sankranti celebrated? It denotes a transformation within ourselves as well as the surrounding. In the following excerpt, you would understand the relevance and meaning of Makar Sankranti in our lives.
Introduction – Meaning and Significance of Makar Sankranti
Indian sages and seers made extensive studies of the movement of planets about the sun and the earth. Did you know that the significance of Makar Sankranti lies in the motion of the planets as well? The twelve zodiac signs are constantly in motion. Therefore, the position of the sun varies from time to time about a particular zodiac. According to the Indian astrological system, the transition of the sun from one zodiac to another is nothing but Sankranti.
Planetary Significance of Makar Sankranti
The planetary significance of Makar Sankranti is quite important. Makar Sankranti falls around 14 January every year no matter what. This is when the sun transits from the Southern sphere to the Northern sphere. It moves from Sagittarius or dhanu rashi to Capricorn or makar rashi. Hence, the name “makar sankranti”.
Makar Jyoti
The significance of Markar Sankranti also lies in the transition of the sun. One cannot see this normally with naked eyes. However, there is a place, the famous Sabarimala shrine in Kerala, from where the auspicious transition of the sun is seen. From Kerala, one can even see it with naked eyes for a few seconds. The exact duration of the movement of the sun’s transition is known as makar Jyoti.
Karkat Sankranti
Similarly, when the sun moves from the Northern hemisphere to the Southern hemisphere, there is another transition. This occurs around mid-July, and this transition is known as karkat sankranti.
Dakshinayan
This day onwards, the sun moves away from the earth, resulting in shorter days and causing winter in the region around the Indian subcontinent. Shorter days and softer intensity of the sun’s rays change the inner chemistry of both human beings and nature. The period between these two sankrantis, I.e karkat to makaris known as dakshinayan.
Fast And Sweetmeats
The sun remains below the equator towards the South Pole in this period. On the auspicious day of makar sankaranti, people observe a fast and worship the sun. Makar Sankranti significance lies in the sesame seeds as well. In the evening people celebrating Makar Sankranti eat and share the sesame seed or til in the form of laddus and rewaris or other similar sweetmeats. Linseed has the power to absorb inner negativities caused by the effect of winter.
The Transforming Significance of Makar Sankranti
Another significance of Makar Sankranti is the change in weather. After makar sankranti, the temperature on earth starts to gradually warm-up. And once again transforms the inner human chemistry and that of the trees and plants on earth. Makar sankranti, therefore, is an important event in the Hindu calendar. It denotes planetary transition as well as a change in human chemistry.
