Information About Makar Sankranti Festival or Kite Festival:

Makar Sankranti is a Hindu festival that marks the harvest season and the beginning of the Sun’s slow journey from the Tropic of Capricorn. Families and friends exchange sesame seeds promising a more loving relationship. This is also the only Hindu festival that is celebrated on the same day every year.

Details About Makar Sankranti celebration in Mumbai:

Makara Sankranti is the only Hindu festival which is based on the Solar calendar rather than the Lunar calendar.In some parts of India, the festival is celebrated by taking dips in the Ganga or any river and offering water to the Sun god. The dip is said to purify the self and bestow punya.Makar means Capricorn as per zodiac and sankranti is transition, There are two most important transitions out of 12 (each every month), One is Mesh (also know as Aries) and other and most important is Makar (which is Capricorn), on this day transition of sun happens from Sagittarius to Capricorn in season of winter. Makar Sankranti is celebrated throughout India as a harvest festival. It is a way of giving thanks to the elements of nature that help man. This is the period when the winter recedes, paving the way for the summer. It is the time the farmers bring home their harvest. In the coastal regions, it is a harvest festival dedicated to Indra. In North India, a ritual bath in the river is important on this day. There are Legends behind makar sankranti as per Mahabharata, so Hindus has high belief for the festive season. Khichiri is eaten and given away as charity, and People also distribute rice and lentils to the poor and needy. In Maharashtra, a special dish called tilgul, or laddoos made of jaggery and Sesame seed, the chief crop of the season, is popular.In Gujrat it is celebrated as the Kite flying day.Makar Sankranti is also known as Khichadi or Til Sakranti in north India. The Magh Mela and the Gangasagar Mela held on Makar Sankranti and the devotees take a holy dip in Ganga & Ganga Sagar at various places. From morning 7:00 till Late evening till dark people have fun by flying kites in bunches, on this one day Gujarat kite season is renowned in the world, You can see around 50 to 500 kites at a glance in the sky.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.To Hindus, the Sun stands for knowledge, spiritual light and wisdom. Makar Sankranti signifies that we should turn away from the darkness of delusion in which we live, and begin to enjoy a new life with bright light within us to shine brighter and brighter. Every one comes to open ground and building terrace with dozens of kites to enjoy, Its a kite race day in India. We should gradually begin to grow in purity, wisdom, and knowledge, even as the Sun does from the Day of Makar Sankranti. Traditionally sweets are always used during any festive, but this day is special for til gud, people prepare til gud and give to each other saying “Til Gud Kha Ani God God Bola” in Marathi language, which means “have til gud and speak good and sweet on the day”, Just a way to forgive and forget.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.

Makar Sankranti Festival or Kite Festival Fact:

Makar Sankranti is one of the most auspicious festival of India. According to Hindu calendar Makar Sankranti falls on January 14 of 15 in 2011. The festival is also known as Sankranti or Makara Sankrant, and the day is dedicated to Lord Surya (Sun God).

Sankranti is the day when the sun enters into the zodiac Capricorn or Makara that showcase the arrival of spring season.

Makar Sankranti is also known as Khichadi or Til Sakranti in north India where the combination of rice and cereals are distributed among the poor.

The God of Sun (Lord Surya) is worshipped on the Sankranti and the day starts with bathing ritual at Sangam (confluence of Yamuna, Saraswati and Ganga) in Allahabad and on various river banks or bathing ghats on River Ganga. The Magh Mela and the Gangasagar Mela held on Makar Sankranti and thousand of devotees take a holy dip in Ganga & Ganga Sagar at various places. Taking a holy dip on the day is considered very auspicious that takes you to the path of Nirvana, Moksha (Salvation).

On this day people greets each other through messages, SMS for prosperity.

This Festival is observed throughout India by all communities but with slight variations in the festivities.

• In Bengal, Makar Sankranti is noted for the Ganga Sagar Mela and Pithey parban.
• Bhogali Bihu is celebrated on this day in Assam.
• Makar Mela is observed in Orissa.
• In North India, it is the time of Lohri .
• In Central India, it is Sankranti.
• In Tamil Nadu, Makar Sankranti is observed as Pongal.
• In Andhra Pradesh, it is known as Sankranthi.
• In Kerala, the famous Sabarimala Pilgrimage comes to an end with sighting of the Makaravilakku.
• In Gujarat and Rajasthan, it is known as Uttarayan and is noted for the kite flying event.
• It is an important bathing date during the famous Magh Mela and Kumbh Mela at Sangam (Prayag) in Allahabad.

Picture Gallery Of Makar Sankranti Festival or Kite Festival Celebration In Mumbai: