FESTIVAL OF SANKRANTI

Introduction
Makar Sankranti is celebrated with fervour all over India though in different names and forms. It is considered as the most auspicious day by the Hindus.

The Makar Sankranti festival marks the day when the sun begins its northward journey and enters the sign of Makar (the Capricorn) from the Tropic of Cancer. In other words, the sun moves from Dakshinayana (south) to Uttarayana (north). The day falls on the 14th of January every year according to the Solar Calendar.

On this day people take a holy dip at Prayag and Ganga Sagar and worship Sun. The tradition of kite flying adds zeal to the festival.
Origin
Makar Sankranti festival holds special significance according to the solar calendar as the day and night are of exactly equal duration on this day. For the people of northern hemisphere, the northward path of the sun marks the period when the sun is getting closer to them. This signifies that the days will get longer and warmer after Makar Sankranti.

The importance of the day was noted even by the Aryans who celebrated the auspicious day as a festival. Also, an episode from the great epic Mahabharata shows that people in early times marked the day as auspicious. Warrior-hero Bhishma Pitamah even after being wounded in the Mahabharata war lingered on till Uttarayan set in. Death on this day is set to bring Moksha or salvation for the deceased.