The colorful kites flooding the sky, people taking the holy dip in the Gangasagar, January comes and you know that it is Makar Sakranti. What does Makar Sankranti mean? Makar means Capricorn and Sankranti means ‘to do from one place to another’ or ‘to change direction,’ so Makar Sankranti is the time when the Sun moves from the Tropic of Cancer to the Tropic of Capricorn or the Sun moving Uttarayan. Makar Sankranti is celebrated as the thanksgiving festival by various names like Pongal in South India and Lohri in the North. It is the time to thank Gods, nature and cattle for the good harvest. The happy farmers celebrate this day with gusto and fervor and the festivity spirit teamed with feeling of oneness pours out on this day. Kichri (rice and lentils cooked) and Til (seasame seeds) are the main food of this festival, thus the festival is also called Til Sankranti or Kichri Sankranti.There are many legends associated with this festival. It is believed that it is on this day that the Sun goes to meet his son Shani. This period is also considered very auspicious as Uttarayan is ‘day’ of devatas and dakhshinayan is the night. It is also believed that it was on this day that King Bhagirath brought the holy river Ganga to the earth to liberate his ancestors from the curse of a saint. It is also the time when Bishma from the epic Mahabharata chose to die or release his soul from the body lying on the bed of arrows. The tradition goes that whoever dies during this period is freed from the cycle of birth and rebirth. To celebrate this auspicious day there is a big fair held in Gangasagar and the day holds lot of importance in a Hindu household.People on this dress in new clothes and distribute sweets, visit the neighbors, friends and relatives, sing traditional songs and lots more. People give out their warm wishes and blessings to the young and old and wish for prosperity and happiness for all. So go ahead send Makar Sankranti greeting cards and Makar Sankranti e cards to your dear ones and their family wishing wellness for all and praying that the harvest are good each time and bring prosperity for all.
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