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Makar Sankranti, the festival heralding the end of winter and the onset of the harvest season, holds special significance in India. As the Sun enters Makara Rashi (Capricorn), marking longer days and the northward motion of the Sun, Makar Sankranti, also known as Uttarayan, is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the festival, focusing on the tradition of kite flying.
Makar Sankranti 2024 Celebrating the Festival with Kite .On Makar Sankranti, people engage in flying multicolored kites, perform charitable acts, and take holy river baths. The tradition of kite flying is rooted in the ancient belief that sunlight exposure aids in healing skin diseases and winter-related disorders. Additionally, sunlight, being a rich source of vitamin D, is considered beneficial for overall health. Kite flying is also viewed as a way to express appreciation and gratitude to God.
Celebrations in Gujarat and Rajasthan:
Gujarat and Rajasthan host some of the largest kite-flying events in the country. Months before the festival, residents of these states craft handmade kites. Gujarat, in particular, organizes the grand “International Kite Festival” since 1989, attracting kite enthusiasts from around the world.
Timing of Makar Sankranti 2024 Celebrating the Festival with Kite. This year, Makar Sankranti falls on January 15, 2024. The auspicious timings are as follows:
Punya Kala: 07:15 AM to 05:46 PM (Duration: 10 Hours 31 Mins)
Maha Punya Kala: 07:15 AM to 09:00 AM (Duration: 01 Hour 45 Mins)
Makar Sankranti Moment: 02:54 AM
Nationwide Celebrations:
Makar Sankranti is celebrated across the country with different regional names and customs. It is known as Pedda Panduga or Makara Sankranti in Andhra Pradesh, Makara Sankranti in Karnataka, Telangana, and Maharashtra, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Magh Bihu in Assam, Makara Chaula in Odisha, Til Sakraat or Dahi Chura in Bihar, Makaravilakku in Kerala, Poush Sankranti in West Bengal, Magha Saaji in Himachal Pradesh, Haldi Kumkum in Maharashtra, and Maghi Sankrant in Goa.
As Makar Sankranti approaches, the nation prepares to immerse in the joyous spirit of kite flying, festivities, and cultural traditions.
