When is the festival of Makar Sankranti? Know about Sun worship, sesame donation and beliefs related to this festival.

In Hindu religion, there are 12 Sankranti in a year in which the Sankranti falling in the month of Magh has special significance. on Sankranti of this month makar sankranti Known as. When the Sun enters Capricorn from Sagittarius, it is called Makar Sankranti. Sun stays in one zodiac sign for a month and then transits to another zodiac sign.

In this way the transition of the Sun is known as Sankranti. Sankranti festival is also called Uttarayan. When the Sun reaches Uttarayan, the days become longer and the nights become shorter. Let us know the importance of Surya Makar Sankranti and the religious beliefs related to it.

Sun God changes from Dakshinayan to Uttarayan

From the day of Makar Sankranti, Sun God enters Capricorn due to which there is a significant change in the direction of Sun God. Sun God moves from Dakshinayan to Uttarayan. Due to which the days become longer and the nights become shorter. Uttarayan is called the day of the gods. Uttarayan of Sun from the day of Makar Sankranti is considered very auspicious.

The day of God begins

In Hindu religious scriptures, Uttarayan of the Sun is considered the day of the gods while Dakshinayan is considered the night of the gods. The 6 months of Uttarayan period are the time of awakening of the gods. It is believed that by renouncing God during Uttarayan period, a person gets freedom from rebirth and attains salvation. Such Makar Sankranti is considered the festival of attaining salvation.

Sun-Saturn meeting on Makar Sankranti

According to religious texts, Shanidev is the son of Suryadev. The lord of Capricorn is Shani Dev and on Makar Sankranti, Sun God enters the zodiac sign of his son Saturn in Capricorn. Where they stay for a month. It is believed that due to the union of Sun God and Shani Dev, the harsh influence of Shani Dev gets calmed in front of the Sun’s glory. In such a situation, donating things related to Sun and Saturn on this day has special significance.

Other stories related to Makar Sankranti

It is believed that Mother Ganga descended on earth on the day of Makar Sankranti. Due to the efforts of King Bhagiratha, Sagar’s sons got freedom. Due to which bathing in Gangasagar on Makar Sankranti has special significance. Apart from this, the story of Makar Sankranti is also related to the Mahabharata period. Bhishma Pitamah had sacrificed his life on this day while waiting for the sun to rise.

Importance of bathing, charity and virtue

Bathing, charity and doing virtuous deeds have special significance on Makar Sankranti. By taking bath in Ganga on this day, all the sins are destroyed. Apart from this, donation of sesame, jaggery, woolen clothes, blanket and khichdi on Makar Sankranti is considered very fruitful.