Makar Sankranti 2024: Date, Time, Shubh Muhurat, Rituals, Significance & More

January 6, 2024

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Importance of Makar Sankranti

The importance of Makar Sankranti lies in the fact that it is both a harvest and a religious festival. It marks the spring season’s beginning, and the Sun changes from the Tropic of Cancer to the Tropic of Capricorn. On the religious front, it is believed that this festival sets you free from all the evils of life.

Makar Sankranti 2024 Date, Puja Time (Shubh Muhurat) India

This year, Makar Sankranti the festival will fall on January 15, 2024, Monday

Maha Punya Maha Kaal Muhurat: January 15, 7:15 AM – 9:02 AM (Duration: 1 hours 48 minutes)
Makara Sankranti Punya Kaal Muhurat: January 15, 7:14 AM – 12:36 PM (Duration: 5 hours 22 minutes)
Sankranti Moment: January 15, 2:45 AM

Makar Sankranti Puja timing for Europe, the United States of America, Canada, and Australia.

Makar Sankranti Time (Moment) Europe

Central European Time (CET): January 14, 04:19 PM.
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT): January 14, 03:19 PM.
Eastern European Time (EET): January 14, 05:19 PM.

Makar Sankranti Time (Moment) USA and Canada

Eastern Standard Time (EST): January 14, 10:19 AM.
Pacific Standard Time (PST): January 14, 07:19 AM.Central Standard Time (CST): January 14, 09:19 AM.
Mountain Standard Time (MST): January 14, 08:19 AM.

Makar Sankranti Time (Moment) Australia

Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST): January 15, 01:19 AM.
Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT): January 15, 02:19 AM.

Significance of Makar Sankranti

It is the celebration of the Sun’s return.
It is the day to honor the harvesting of crops.
It is the spirit of the New Beginning.
Makar Sankranti helps strengthen community bonds.
It helps to introspect and reflect spiritually.
The single day represents the cultural mosaics.

Why makar sankranti is celebrated on the 14 or 15 January?

It has crucial significance in India and Nepal. It is not only concerned about the solar shift in the Northern Hemisphere, but it also marks the first day of the Uttarayan period. It touches the Spring season also. Wishes for the new year are given. It also rekindled the hopes and future of an individual.

Myth about Makar Sankranti

The myth behind Makar Sankranti is that in Mahabharata, the great warrior Bhisham Pitamah refused to leave the earthly realm because of the position of the Sun. As soon as the Sun changed its position to Uttarayan, he left. So, this was considered auspicious, and Makar Sankranti was celebrated. It is also thought that if someone goes to a mortal realm during this period, they attain Moksha. The myth reflects the spiritual importance of Makar Sankranti.

What is the Folklore of Makar Sankranti?

Night Bonfire: These are the significant events of this festival. In the evening or night, people gather around the bonfires. They sing, dance, and roast grams. The evil spirits are also thought to be burnt and welcome the Sun.

Banqueting: It is the time to binge on. People eat a variety of food like sweets and tasty and tempting food. Gajak, Khichdi, and tilkut are some common and essential foods of Makar Sankranti.

Festive time: Makar Sankranti is a time of festivals. Different festivals are celebrated in various States of India. Each state has its importance and uniqueness. The Uttarayan kite festival is celebrated in Gujarat. Pongal is celebrated in Tamil Nadu. Lohri festival is celebrated in Punjab & Haryana states on Makar Sankranti.

Charity: On this day, food, clothes & necessary things are distributed to poor people, which is considered the best time for charity.

Best places where Makar Sankranti is celebrated with great pomp and show

Makar Sankranti is celebrated with great devotion in the following cities:

Prayagraj: This place is significant on the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti as people dip in the holy Sangam of three rivers(Ganga, Saraswati, and Yamuna). As the Sun rises, prayers are offered in various temples as well as on the banks of these rivers.

Jaipur & Ahmedabad: International kite festivals are organized on this festival, and foreigners fly kites in these cities.

Guwahati: This festival is celebrated in Assam as Magh Bihu. Temporary huts are made. After eating the prepared food, these huts are burnt the next day. Ethnic games like buffalo fights are organized on this day.

Tamil Nadu & Karnataka: Famous Pongal festival is celebrated in these states. Bananas are gifted by the girls on this auspicious day.

What is the Primeval Origin of Makar Sankranti?

Indus Valley Civilization: Sun worship and fire rituals are essential to Makar Sankranti. In the same way, the Indus Valley Civilization keeps both the Sun and Fire as their God. So, bonfire laying groundwork for Makar Sankranti.

What are the distinct Names of Makar Sankranti?

India is a land of diversity. There is unity in diversity. Its diverse culture and languages unite it into one India. That is why each state has its way of celebrating Makar Sankranti:

Lohri: This name is famous in the states of Punjab & Haryana.
Pongal: In Tamil Nadu, this festival is celebrated for four days.
Bhogi: The Bhogi festival is celebrated in Andhra Pradesh.
Uttarayan: It is better known as the kite flying festival. It is called in Uttarayan.
Suggi Habba: In Karnataka, Makar Sankranti is known as Suggi Habba.
Poush Sankranti: In West Bengal, Makar Sankranti is known as Poush Sankranti.
Khichdi Parv: In the north of UP, Makar Sankranti is called Khichdi Parv.