Celebrating transitions

Makar Sankranti is of immense spiritual importance. It is comprehensively expressed in the Mahabharat in the dying episode of Bhishm Pitamah. Lying on the bed of arrows after the Kurukshetra war, Bhishm, blessed with the boon of choosing the time of his death, intentionally waits for the advent of Uttarayan to leave his body. His conscious decision to leave his body during the Sun's northward course elevates Makar Sankranti from a seasonal observance to a cosmic gateway to moksh.

Makar Sankranti is one of the most significant solar observances in the Hindu calendar. It is also known as Uttarayan, Makar or simply Sankranti. It is a mid-winter harvest festival, celebrated primarily in India and Nepal, and marks the Sun's crossing from the zodiac sign of Sagittarius (Dhanu) into Capricorn (Makar).

This astronomical event initiates the Sun's northward journey, known as Uttarayan. It is linked to the return of light, warmth and auspiciousness after the deep depths of winter. Unlike most Hindu festivals, which are governed by the lunar calendar, Makar Sankranti is determined by the solar cycle.

The festival is dedicated to Surya Dev. It symbolises renewal, new beginnings, and harmonious alignment of human life with cosmic rhythm.

Across the Indian subcontinent, Makar Sankranti is celebrated under numerous regional names, reflecting local agricultural practices, climatic conditions and cultural traditions. However, the festival has common elements. It is all about thanksgiving for the harvest, reverence for the Sun, and communal celebrations.