The transit of the Sun from Sagittarius to Capricorn is very important. Its importance is more because at this time the Sun turns from Dakshinayan to Uttarayan. Uttarayan is considered the day of the gods. Auspicious works start from this festival. Even after death in Uttarayan, there is a possibility of attaining salvation. The entry of the father in the son's zodiac is also considered to be the destroyer of vegetation due to virtue. The sun rises in the east and sets in the south for 6 months and in the north for 6 months and sets in the west.
On the day of Makar Sankranti, the Sun leaves Sagittarius and enters the zodiac sign of its son Shani; It is believed that on this day Suraj himself goes to his house to meet his son Shani. Hence this day is known as Makara Sankranti. On this day the Sun is Uttarayan. It is said in the scriptures that Uttarayan is the day of the gods and Dakshinayan is the night and as soon as Uttarayan starts the summer season. By donating on this day, renewable virtue is attained, the result of which is available for many births.
Makar Sankranti Importance
The festival of Makar Sankranti is also called Uttarayan in many places. On the day of Makar Sankranti, Ganga baths, fasting, story, charity, and worshiping the Sun God are considered to be of special importance. According to astrological scriptures, the donation made on the day of Makar Sankranti gives 100 times the fruit. Donation of pure ghee-sesame-blanket-khichdi is given great importance on the day of Makar Sankranti. Donating on Prakash for Shani Dev on this day is also considered auspicious. In Punjab, UP, Bihar, and Tamil Nadu, this is the time for harvesting new crops. That's why farmers celebrate this day as Gratitude Day. Sweets made of sesame and jaggery are offered on this day. The tradition of flying kites is also included on the day of Makar Sankranti.
Auspicious Work on Makar Sankranti
-
No tree is cut inside or outside the house on the day of Makar Sankranti.
-
No intoxicant should be taken on the day of Makar Sankranti. Spicy food should also not be eaten on this day.
-
On the day of Makar Sankranti, no poor or elderly should be sent back empty-handed from the door.
-
On the day of Makar Sankranti, there should be a restraint on speech. It is considered inauspicious to say bad words to anyone on this day.
Makar Sankranti Punya Kaal
It is said that on the persuasion of Yamraj when Surya Dev reached Shani Dev's house in Kumbh. Everything was burnt there. At that time Shani had nothing except black mole. That's why Shani Dev worshiped with black sesame only. Pleased with the worship of Shani Dev, he had given his blessings to Shani Dev. In his blessings, the second house of Shani will be filled with blessings when the sun god comes in Capricorn. It was only because of the mole that Shanidev regained his glory. That's why Til Shani Maharaj likes it very much. For this reason, Sun God and Shani Maharaj are worshiped with the mole on the day of Makar Sankranti. It is also known as Til Sankranti.
Makar Sankranti Puja Vidhi
-
On the day of Makar Sankranti, clean clothes are worn after a bath.
-
If Janeu is worn, it is changed.
-
After this, a pledge of charity is taken by taking water and Akshat in hand and facing east.
-
Then the donation of that donation is given.
-
A worthy Brahmin himself goes and gives the donated item to the needy.
-
Donation done with one's own hands is considered to be the best donation.
-
Don't ever donate in anger, it doesn't get fruitful by doing so.
Story of Makar Sankranti
There are many stories in history regarding Makar Sankranti. But the first story is told in Shrimad Bhagwat and Devi Purana. According to this, Shani Maharaj was angry with his father Surya Dev because Surya Dev had seen Shani Dev's mother Chhaya discriminating against Yamraj, the son of Sangya, his second wife. Due to this, Surya Dev separated Chhaya and his son Shani from himself. Angered by this, Shanidev and his mother Chhaya cursed Surya Dev with leprosy.
The second story of Makar Sankranti is found in history that on the day of Makar Sankranti, Ganga ji met her devotee Bhagirath behind Kapil Muni's ashram and went to the ocean. According to the scriptures, Ganga ji came to earth on this day. That's why the Ganga bath is considered to be of special importance on the day of Makar Sankranti. On this day Bhagirath offered a tarpan to his ancestors and Ganga Mata accepted this tarpan. For this reason, a fair is organized in Gangasagar on the day of Makar Sankranti.
Another story is also found on the day of Makar Sankranti that Bhishma Pitamah had sacrificed his body in the Mahabharata that took place on the day of Makar Sankranti. Had waited for the sun to come in Makar Sankranti to sacrifice his life. The souls who leave the body at the time of the solar eclipse go straight to the abode of God. Due to this, the soul of a person becomes free from the bondage of birth and death.
A legend on Makar Sankranti also includes that Lord Vishnu announced the end of the war by killing the demons on Makar Sankranti. It is said that Lord Vishnu buried all the Asuras under the Mandar mountain. Evil and negativity also came to an end on this day. Makar Sankranti is celebrated as an answer to Pongal in Tamil Nadu.
A legend on Makar Sankranti also includes that Yamraj was deeply saddened to see the sun god suffering from leprosy. That's why he also did penance to get rid of this disease. Surya Dev got angry and sent Aquarius to Shani Maharaj's house, which is called Shani's zodiac sign. Was burnt by his speed. Due to this Shani Dev and his mother Chhaya had to suffer some problems. Yamraj, seeing his stepmother and his brother Sunny in distress, explained a lot to the Sun God for their welfare.
Importance of donation on Makar Sankranti
-
Taking a bath in the Ganges on the day of Makar Sankranti gets rid of all the sorrows. It is a mythological belief that on the day of Makar Sankranti, Ganga ji followed Bhagirath and met Kapil Muni's ashram in the ocean. That's why the Ganga bath is given special importance on the day of Makar Sankranti. That's why charity is considered to be of special importance on this day.
-
On the day of Makar Sankranti, one wakes up early in the morning and takes a bath.
-
After taking a bath, offering red flowers and Akshat to the sun is offered.
-
Surya Beej Mantra is chanted.
-
The 1st chapter of this Shrimad Bhagwat is recited.
-
Anna, blanket, sesame, and ghee are donated on the day of Makar Sankranti.
-
On the day of Makar Sankranti, by donating sesame along with utensils to a poor person, one can get relief from every pain related to Shani.
Conclusion
This day is considered to be the beginning of auspicious days on Earth as from this day the sun starts moving from the south to the northern hemisphere. According to religious beliefs, the door of heaven opens on the day of Makar Sankranti. That's why the charity done on this day is more fruitful than the charity done on other days. The scientific reason for Makar Sankranti is that from this day the change in nature starts due to the Uttarayan of the Sun. People shrinking due to cold start getting relief from the winter season due to the Uttarayan of the Sun. To know more about the date, auspicious time, and importance of Capricorn Sankranti, talk to astrologers.