When is Makar Sankranti – On the 14th or 15th of January 2023?

Sankranti is an astrological event whereby the Sun transits from one zodiac sign to another. When the Sun moves to the next zodiac sign or house, we call it a Sankranti. The Sun rests in a sign for one month; thus, it changes sign 12 times a year. Thus, in total, there are 12 Sankrantis in a specific year. Although all of them have their specific relevance, the Makar Sankranti gains great admiration in the Hindu religion and Vedic astrology. The celebration of Makar Sankranti will occur on 14th January 2023. Almost all Hindus in India celebrate the festival of Makar Sankranti. People also know it by the name of- the Kite festival. This auspicious day of Sankranti holds spiritual and astrological importance.

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The Date and Muhurata of Makar Sankranti 2023 

According to Hindu Panchang 2023, the Sun will transit into the sign of Capricorn on 14 january 2023 at 8:14 p.m. After the transit of the Sun in Capricorn, people can celebrate Makar Sankranti. 

According to udaya tithi, the celebrations and rituals of Makar Sankranti will be followed on 15 January 2023. People offer arghya and prepare khichdi as two important rituals of the Makar Sankranti festival. The shubh muhurata will start at 7:15 a.m. to 5:46 p.m. on 15th January 2023. The punya kaal muhurata will start at 7:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (afternoon). It is highly auspicious to make donations and charities during punya kaal.

Importance and basic information about Makar Sankranti

On Makar Sankranti, the Sun transits into the Capricorn Zodiac sign. Capricorn is called the Makar Rashi in Hindi. And thus, the Sankranti is called Makar Sankranti in Hindu Astrology.

The planet Sun can be named as the only visible Hindu God we can see from the Earth. The planets Moon and Venus are visible through the naked eye, though. The existence and prominence of the Sun are more phenomenal. Hence, all the festivals forming an association with the Sun are extremely important. Here, we can remind Chhath Puja, another prominent festival for worshipping the Sun God. 

The Sun symbolizes immunity, satvik traits, wisdom, and life. It brings forth the best in every living entity. The blessings of the Sun can make life free from all kinds of hurdles and miseries. The placement of the Sun in your horoscope is essential as it influences several aspects of your life. A strong Sun in the birth chart is a blessing that helps the native gain fame and power. 

The festival carries religious importance. As per Hindu texts, it is assumed that the Sun (Surya) comes to visit his son Saturn (Shani Dev) during Makar Sankranti. The lord of the zodiac sign Capricorn is Saturn in Astrology. Hence, the festival signifies the mutual bond between the Sun and the father. It is important to note that the Sun and Saturn are extreme enemies in Vedic Astrology.

Makar Sankranti occurs on the same date each year in the Gregorian calendar. The Sankranti usually falls on the 14th of January every year, with a little difference on the 13th of January. The festival denotes the start of the lengthier spans of the day.

The Makar Sankranti happens in the month of Magha, per the Hindu panchangam. It also signifies the end of the winter solstice.

Makar Sankranti is also known as the harvest festival. There is a tradition whereby the farmers worship their land, cattle, and tools. They thank their resources for fetching them a good harvest. They also pray for a good harvest in the next year.

Makar Sankranti keeps superior scientific significance as well. This is the day when the Sun begins moving away from the tropic of Capricorn and towards the northern hemisphere. The Sun initiates, appearing to rise towards North-East for the next six months. Sun begins to rise and set narrowly towards North-East and North-West, respectively, from this auspicious day. The period of the next six months is called Uttarayan. The remaining six months are called dakshinayan, meaning the Sun moving towards the south.

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The astrological significance of Makar Sankranti

Sun and Saturn are both malefic planets in Vedic astrology. They both share extreme enmity. They affect people in both negative and positive ways. On Makar Sankranti, the Sun enters the house of Saturn to stay there for a month. During its stay in Saturn's house, which is his son, Sun forgets its anger and hatred towards Saturn. It attempts to keep a healthy relationship with Saturn and other planets.

Hence, the festival symbolizes the bonding of father and son. On this exceptional occasion, we should all remind ourselves that a father's love for his son is incomprehensible. There can be differences in their values, but the father never harms his son. In astrology, one needs astrological remedies to handle the conjunction or association of the Sun and Saturn.  

Also, the Hindu legend states that Lord Vishnu defeated the demons on the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti. The ancient tale states that Lord Vishnu beheaded the devils and buried them beneath the Mandara Parvat on Makar Sankranti. The festival states the triumph of righteousness over unfairness.

On this day, one should take a bath early in the morning, offer arghya (water) to the Sun God, sit silently, and meditate. You should think of your ongoing troubles for the past six months. It is believed that the Sun will remove all the troubles coming to your mind this day.

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One should also recite Gayatri Mantra.

Another name for Makar Sankranti is Til Sankranti. According to astrological beliefs, we should donate articles related to Saturn to reduce its bad effects when the Sun transits into its enemy's house. Til or sesame seeds are the main donating articles of Saturn. People donate til to get the auspicious results of the Sun.

The Sun's movement signifies moving from darkness to illumination. Thus, everyone offers worship and prayers to the Sun in their preferred ways. 

What to do on Makar Sankranti

• One should cleanse the home and the puja room well.
• After that, take a bath early in the morning.
• The devotees should put a 'tilak' prepared out of rice flour on the forehead and tie a holy red thread on their wrists.
• Make offerings on a plate consisting of til-ladoos (both black and white) and other Saturn articles you wish to donate.
• Saturn articles include black clothes, blankets, umbrellas, urad dal, mustard oil, iron articles, etc.
• Sprinkle some rice on these items to be donated. 
• Worship lord Sun by lighting a ghee lamp and chanting the 'Surya mantra' 12 times. The Surya Mantra - “Om ghrini suryaya namah” or “Om hram hreem hroum sah suryaya namah”.
• Donate things to needy and poor people.
• Feed poor this day
• Some people observe fast and donate urad dal khichdi in temples. 

Also Read: Nakshatras in Vedic Astrology and their influence on our lives

The Kite-Flying 

How can the discussion of Makar Sankranti be complete without naming kites? Makar Sankranti is also a festival of kites when people fly kites. People gather on their terraces, and big get-to-gathers are organized. Mainly in Gujarat, people arrange kite flying competitions on a big scale. Some states also organize regional and global kite festivals.

Ayurveda and Makar Sankranti

It is usual to eat and donate items on this day. In Ayurveda, it is consuming til that stops arthritis disorders. If people eat them on Makar Sankranti when the Sun shifts its energy from one house to another, it brings medicinal advantages to the body through strong bones and immunity. It also protects us from cough and arthritis during the winter season. People should donate til-items and blankets on this day. And those who can't afford donations should eat til to get their benefits. Donations remove the bad effects of the planets from your life.