Makara Sankranti and Uttarayana

The Origin and Significance of Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is a significant occasion marking the Sun's transit into Makar Rashi (Capricorn in the zodiac) according to Vedic astrology. In Hinduism, the Sun, revered as Surya Deva, is worshipped as the nourisher of all life on Earth. While all twelve solar transitions of Surya Deva are considered important for worship, holy baths, and acts of charity, the transition into Makar Rashi is deemed the most auspicious, offering a prime opportunity to worship Lord Surya.

Makar Sankranti and Uttarayana: A Clarification

It is a common misconception that Makar Sankranti coincides with Uttarayana, the Sun's northward journey. However, these are distinct events, both astronomically and religiously. Thousands of years ago, specifically in 285 CE (according to Lahiri Ayanamsha), the two coincided, but they have since diverged due to axial precession. Uttarayana, derived from uttara (north) and ayana (journey), occurs at the Winter Solstice when the Sun begins its northern trajectory.

Although the Winter Solstice is no longer widely observed in India for religious purposes, it retains significance in Hinduism. For instance, Bhishma Pitamah of the Mahabharata chose Uttarayana to leave his mortal body, despite its non-coincidence with Makar Sankranti during that era.

Harvest Festival Misconception

The belief that Makar Sankranti is primarily a harvest festival is inaccurate. This misunderstanding arises from the coincidence of Makar Sankranti with the harvest season in certain parts of India. Over centuries, the date of Makar Sankranti has drifted later in the Gregorian calendar due to precession. For example, in 1600, it fell on 9 January; by 7015, it will be observed on 23 March, long after winter and the harvest season.

Deities Worshipped During Sankranti

Surya Deva, the Sun God, is the principal deity worshipped during Makar Sankranti. In South India, the day following Makar Sankranti is dedicated to Lord Krishna, commemorating the legend of his lifting of Govardhan Hill. Additionally, livestock such as cows, bulls, and oxen are venerated during the festivities.

Determining the Date of Makar Sankranti

The date of Makar Sankranti is determined by the Hindu solar calendar, occurring when the Sun transitions from Dhanu Rashi to Makar Rashi. It typically falls on 14 or 15 January in the Gregorian calendar. If the precise moment of the Sun's transition occurs after sunset, the festival is observed the following day.

Festivities Across India

Sankranti is one of the few festivals celebrated nationwide, albeit with regional variations:

• Tamil Nadu: Known as Pongal, it is a four-day celebration.
• Gujarat: Celebrated as Uttarayana with kite flying as a central activity.
• Andhra Pradesh: Referred to as Pedda Panduga and spans four days, similar to Pongal.
• Assam: Celebrated as Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu.
• Punjab: Known as Lohri and observed a day prior to Makar Sankranti.
• Karnataka: Referred to as Sankranti or Makar Sankramana.

Despite regional differences, the festival universally expresses gratitude to Surya Deva, the provider of light and energy.

Customs and Rituals

Makar Sankranti is marked by a variety of rituals, which differ across regions. Common practices include:

• Lighting ritualistic bonfires on the eve of the festival.
• Worshipping Surya Deva at sunrise.
• Taking holy dips in sacred water bodies.
• Preparing Pongal in Tamil Nadu and offering it as prasada.
• Performing charitable acts and distributing alms.
• Flying kites, particularly in Gujarat.
• Worshipping livestock such as cows and bulls.
• Preparing sesame and jaggery sweets.
• Taking oil baths, especially in South India.

Similar Festivals

Other festivals associated with the Sun’s movement in the zodiac include:

• Mesh Sankranti: The Solar New Year in Hindu tradition.
• Pongal: A variant of Makar Sankranti in Tamil Nadu.
• Uttarayana: A term synonymous with Makar Sankranti in Gujarat.

Conclusion

Makar Sankranti is a multifaceted festival that holds astronomical, religious, and cultural significance. While it is often misrepresented as a harvest festival, its true essence lies in honouring Surya Deva and recognising the celestial phenomenon of the Sun's transition into Makar Rashi.

Source: Drik Panjang

Bhagavad Gita 8.23-26: I shall now describe to you the different paths of passing away from this world, O best of the Bharatas, one of which leads to liberation and the other leads to rebirth. Those who know the Supreme Brahman and who depart from this world, during the six months of the sun’s northern course, the bright fortnight of the moon, and the bright part of the day, attain the supreme destination. The practitioners of Vedic rituals, who pass away during the six months of the sun’s southern course, the dark fortnight of the moon, the time of smoke, the night, attain the celestial abodes. After enjoying celestial pleasures, they again return to the earth. These two, bright and dark paths, always exist in this world. The way of light leads to liberation and the way of darkness leads to rebirth.

Commentary by Swami Mukundananda: In these verses, Shree Krishna continues to answer the question Arjun had asked in verse 8.2, “How can one be united with God at the time of death?”

Shree Krishna explains that there are two paths—the path of light or the path of darkness. Although these statements may seem cryptic, they present an effective allegory to explain spiritual concepts using the contrasting themes: light and darkness. Where light; is symbolic to knowledge and darkness; is for ignorance.

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.

The ignorant souls who are attached to the world remain entangled in the bodily concept of life. They forget their relationship with God. Such souls depart by the path of darkness. Hence, continue to rotate in the cycle of life and death. However, those who may have undertaken some Vedic rituals, as its fruit, go to the celestial abodes. But this position is also part of the material world, thus temporary. When their merits are exhausted, they have to return to earth. Ultimately all humans born on earth, upon death, have to pass along either of the two paths, the path of light or the path of darkness. It is their karmas that decide which path they would take eventually.