Makar Sankranti Part - 2 - Sankranti means transit of Sun from one zodiac sign to other. Its significance.

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  Sankranti -

The name has been derived from the word Sankramana in Sanskrit, meaning “commencement of movement”. 

Sankranti means transit of Sun from one zodiac sign to other. 

Makar Sankranti refers to the transition of the Sun from Dhanu rashi (Sagittarius) to Makar rashi (Capricorn).

And for this purpose, the sidereal zodiac signs are considered.

Thus accounting for the Earth’s precession of the equinoxes. 

The significance being from this day onwards, the days start becoming longer and warmer and thus the winter chill declines.

Traditionally, this has been one of many harvest days in India. 

The festival is also referred as Uttarayana as it marks the starting of northward journey of Sun. 

Many reasons are ascribed in our religious texts like the Puranas for the celebration of this festival.

Some of which are as mentioned below:

Starting the 14th January, Sun the father visits the house of his son Shani (Saturn), who is the lord of Makar Rashi. 

They do not ordinarily get along nicely. 

But in spite of all the differences, Sun makes it a point to stay with his son at his house, for a month.

This symbolises the importance of special relationship between the father and the son. 

Uttarayana also marks the beginning of the “day” for Devatas (Gods). 

While dakshinayana is said to be the “night” for Devatas. 

So most of the auspicious things are done during this time. 

It was on this day when Lord Vishnu ended the terrorism of Asuras by finishing them and burying their heads under the Mandar Mountains.

Thus this occasion also represents the end of negativities and beginning of an era of righteous living. 

According to Indian religious texts, on the day of Uttarayani also called Ghughuti (घुघुति) in Kumaon, the sun enters the Zodiacal sign of 'Makara' (Capricon). 

From this day onwards the sun becomes 'Uttarayan' or it starts moving to the north.

Makar Sankranti is an important pan-Indian solar festival or festival of Indian sub – continent. 

This festival is known by different names though observed on the same date. 

Sometimes for multiple dates around the Makar Sankranti. 

It is known as Makara Sankranti in Karnataka.

Pongal in Tamil Nadu.

Pedda Panduga in Andhra Pradesh.

Magh Bihu in Assam.

Magha Mela in parts of central and north India.

Makar Sankranti in the East, west and by other names.

Makara or Makar Sankranti is celebrated in many parts of Indian Sub - Continent with some regional variations.

It is known by different names and celebrated with different customs in different parts of the region. – 

Suggi Habba, Makar Sankramana , Makara Sankranthi : Karnataka.  

Makara Sankranthi: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala. 
Makar Sankranti: Chattishgarh, Goa, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, MP, Maharastra, Manipur, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, UP, Uttrakhand, West Bengal, and Jammu. 

Thai Pongal, Thai Pongal, Uzhavar Thirunal: Tamil Nadu. 

Uttarayan: Gujarat. 

Maghi: Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. 

Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu: Assam. 

Shishur Saenkraat: Kashmir Valley 

Khichdi: Uttar Pradesh and western Bihar

Poush Sangkranti: West Bengal

Tila Sakrait: Mithila
 

In other countries too the day is celebrated by Hindus, but under different names and in different ways.

Nepal: Maghe Sankranti or Maghi- /Khichdi Sankranti 

Bangladesh: Shakrain/ Poush Sangkranti 

Pakistan (Sindh): Tirmoori.
 

Kite flying is a tradition of Makar Sankranti in many parts of India, Pakistan.