Makar Sankranti 2008:

Makar Sankranti will fall on 14th of January on Friday in 2008.

When the sun transits the zodiac sign Makar (Capricorn) this festival is celebrated. The especial significance of this festival emerges from the fact that on this day the lunar and solar calendars are also synchronized. It is this synchronization that before hand determines whether there be a 'Adhikmas' (additional lunar month) or not in that particular year. It normally falls on January 14. It is the day which marks the beginning of the ,auspicious time again for performing marriage and other ceremonies. The Aryans found that the sun starts traveling again northwards . 'Sankranti' literally means change or a particular form of transgression. Although Sankranti occurs every month when the sun transits, this occasion is of extreme importance for a variety of reasons. The Aryans, it appears were very much enamored of the direction north. If they found any important happening occurring exactly when a directional change signifying northwards movement, they held that event auspicious. Take for example, the movement of the river Ganga. Wherever it moved slightly northwards in its normal course, that spot becomes an important 'teertha'. That is why we have most of the holy spots on the course of the Ganga on its northern bank. Since this northwards tilt is maximum when this holy river approaches Kashi, no wonder Kashi or Varanasi is the most holy 'teertha' on the course of Ganga. It is the same psyche which makes the Sun's northwards movement very auspicious. This psychic predilection for the northern direction gives credence to the theory that the Aryan's place of origin was somewhere due north from India. Hence their especial love for north. There is one very typically human explanation to this natural phenomenon. It is said that the sun also loves north and the moment it looks northwards it turns more benign.

However the most logical explanation to this phenomenon is that due to the tilt of the axis of the earth, from this point of time the rays of sun become comparatively vertical and hence their oozing more heat which appears very welcome in the thus far very freezing conditions. Also, by this time the winter rains in the northern region have their quota making the season more pleasant. Whatever that be, there is no denying the fact that this natural phenomenon is of great significance in India which is signified by almost entire India celebrating this occasion in a variegated manner. Makar Sankranti is also called 'Uttarayan Sankranti'. On this day the devotees in thousands and thousands take a holy dip in the Ganga and other holy streams. At Ganga Sagar where the river confluences with the Bay of Bengal, a grand fair and festivities are held on this day. Devotees in large number reach the Sagar island formed only around this time and bathe exactly at the Ganga's confluencing point with the sea.

The festivities on this day begin right since early morning. After bath in the holy waters and giving alms people assemble to worship the Sun god. In fact the prevalent custom is to give 'daan' of the things recommended from the verandah of the house to the poor and then worship the Sun god. For the grown-ups, even breakfast should be taken after the alms have been given. This 'daan' ceremony is celebrated in the eastern India quite elaborately. There, each individual is asked to sit in front of the portion set aside for him or her and the lady of the house or an elderly lady who knows the 'Mantra' gives some water and rice in the cupped right palm of the individual who puts his or her first finger of the left hand into the water. This water is taken around the relevant portion and dropped gracefully on the side while moving clockwise. All this while the 'Mantra' continues to be chanted by the priest or the lady of the house. Then, the stuff is put aside to be given to the person for whom it is meant. One portion should be kept for the priest if he be conducting the ceremony.

In some communities, the rich and affluent families make the infant sit on one of the pan of a huge balance while the things to be gifted are kept in the other pan. This is a special kind of 'daan' and normally called 'Tula-Daan'. When both the balance pans come at level, while chanting the mantras the gifted material is distributed to the poor. These things may include all that is to be gifted - Khichari, other edibles, warm clothes, quilts, blankets, etc. In north western parts of India this festival is celebrated in slightly different way. A newly married girl would bring what they call 'Vrat' for her in-laws _ not only for her father-in-law and mother-in-law, but for all the married couples of her husband's family. This would continue for years, till she gave every couple in her husband's family. The Vrat includes any good sweet-item, fruits and dry fruits etc. Some and also brought for the younger sister-in-law, rail decorated beautifully in a silver platter.

Astrologically, Makar Sankranti appears to have a very 'feudalist' explanation to its significance. Since Makar is one of the two signs ruled by Saturn - the other being Aquarius, the sign following immediately to Makar or Capricorn - it appears rather illogical for Sun's entry into its enemy's sign should have that enhanced importance for a race reared up in astrological obsession. As a matter of fact, the truth is that while the Sun cares two hoots for the representative of the baser elements of its domain - the Saturn, whereas this planet of masses always bestows best regard to its King - the Sun. But reverse is not true; for, those who are learned in astrology know well that Saturn gets debilited in the sign in whichthe Sun gets exalted - i.e. Aries. Going by the feudal psyche it is clear that the Sun may not have any regard for the commoner but the commoner can't neglect the King. On the contrary, it pays extra attention to welcome the King - Sun. Hence Sun's entry in Capricorn getting extra importance. However, astrology apart, the most over-riding consideration to give the Sun extra honor around this time is its becoming northwards. We know well that the Aryan psyche felt the most macabre dread for south. Hence their scriptures claiming that one goes due south after one's death and while heaven is northwards, hell is due south. The ancient Aryan must have felt nervous as their most revered deity slipping down the south till its reaching the sign of Makar. Seeing the Sun again assuming its northwards movement, the whole race must have welcomed the occasion with a gleeful heart.