Makar Sankranti is the first festival that comes after the new year. All other Hindu festivals are celebrated as per Lunar Calendar. This is the only festival celebrated as per Solar Calendar. So every year, it comes on the same date i.e. 14th January.
In Hinduism, muhurtas are decided based on the Lunar Calendar. The path of the moon is divided into 27 Nakshatras for more accurate calculations. But, the seasons depend on the Sun. The path of the sun is divided into 12 Rashis or Zodiacs. Makar is one of the Rashis and Makar Sankranti is the day when the sun enters into Makar Rashi.
What is the meaning of Sankranti?
Sankranti means entry or transition. So there are 12 Sankranti in a year as the sun enters into different Rashis.
Why do we celebrate Makar Sankranti?
Makar Sankranti is celebrated to mark the beginning of spring / summer season and the end of the winter season. India is in the northern hemisphere and this is the day, the sun starts its journey towards the north direction. So India starts getting bright sunlight almost after 8 months. There is mild sunlight throughout the monsoon and winter season. So this day is special and celebrated as a festival all over the country.
Why do we fly kites on Makar Sankranti?
Now the key is if the sun is brightest after 8 months then all people should come out of their houses and spend a day under sunlight. Flying kites is the only game that can be played in the open sky. So we fly kites and in that process, our body gets an abundance of sunlight.
Why do we start harvesting on this day?
Again the answer is the same. In the very olden days, farming activity was one of the methods to bring people out of their houses to spend a day under sunlight.
Why do we eat Tilgul on Makar Sankranti?
As we know, our body makes Vitamin D from exposure to sunlight. Vitamin D is vital for bones, muscles, nerves and the immune system. Vitamin D is also essential to absorb Calcium in the body.
So when we are spending a whole day in sunlight, why not take advantage of calcium absorption to strenthen our skeleton and immune system. Sesame seeds (Til) are rich in calcium and jaggery is rich in iron. Vitamin D from the sunlight, calcium from Til and iron from jaggery do wonders for our health. Our immune system gets strengthened for the whole year.
Why do married women organise Haldi-Kunku Program?
Haldi-Kunku tradition goes back to the times of Peshwas. The Haldi-Kunku programs are organized by married women from Makar Sankranti to Rath Saptami.
In the olden days, women were not allowed to go out of the house. When everyone is outside, children are flying kites, males are working on farms, there is no point for women to sit inside the house. So some senior-aged women came up with the idea of Haldi-Kunku where women could also gather together. Mangala Gaur is also based on the same concept. Such types of gatherings were very important for women at that time where they could meet other women. They could discuss their problems related to health, marriage and could also share the happiness and joy of their families. This would help women to balance their mental health. Of course, these advantages did not fade with the time. So today also, Haldi-Kunku programs are organized by married women.
Many social workers at that time used Haldi-Kunku program to create awareness among the women. Ahilyabai Holkar, Savitribai Phule, Ramabai Ranade etc. organized Haldi-Kumkum programs for women's integration, girls' education, women empowerment etc.
In this way, Makar Sankranti is celebrated to mark the start of warmer days, to accelerate health conditions and to maintain mental health. Whatever is wholesome and awesome is always welcomed in the Hindu religion. Let's begin this new year with warmth, love and good health. Let's meet our loved ones and achieve the highest happiness and joy. After all, they are free and priceless just like the sunlight.
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