Makar Sankranti is just around the corner and it is one of the most auspicious Hindu festivals. The festival holds a great significance and it is dedicated to Lord Surya (Sun God) and marks the sun's transit into Makara (Capricorn) raashi (zodiac sign).
The festival also marks the beginning of the harvest season with people worshipping new crops and sharing them with delight.
The name of this festival differs in different communities and it is signified by the sun’s entry into Capricorn.
On this day, Hindus from different corners of the nation observe bathing in holy rivers on Makar Sankranti. For the celebrations, people donate black sesame seeds and sesame foods, which are considered holy at this time. Makar Sankranti or Sankranthi is marked as Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Khichdi in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Uttarayanan in Gujarat and Rajasthan, and Maghi in Haryana and Punjab.
To note, the festival is celebrated in the month of January, but, there seem to be a few doubts owing to the exact date of Makar Sankranti in the year 2023.
Makar Sankranti 2023 Date
Makar Sankranti is celebrated a day after Lohri, and considering this year, the festival falls on Sunday, January 15, 2023.
Makar Sankranti 2023 Time
As per the Drik Panchang, the Sankranti Tithi will be at 8:57, January 14. On the other hand, Punya Kala will last from 7:15 am to 5:46 pm (Duration - 10 hours 31 minutes) and Makar Sankranti Maha Punya Kala will begin at 7:15 am and end at 9:00 pm (Duration - 1 hour 45 minutes).
Makar Sankranti 2023 Significance
The festival is celebrated as Hindus consider this period to be auspicious, and in most regions, Makar Sankranti will last for two to four days. People worship the Sun God during this festival and they even go for a holy dip in sacred water bodies, perform charity by giving alms to the needy, fly kites, prepare sweets made of sesame and jaggery, worship livestock and more.
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