Makar Sankranti 2025: Do Surya Puja for Open the Doors of Destiny

The biggest festival at the start of the new year is Makar Sankranti. While most Hindu festivals are based on the lunar calendar, Sankranti is the only festival that depends on the movement of the Sun. When the Sun moves from Sagittarius (Dhanu) to Capricorn (Makar) zodiac, this astrological event is celebrated as Sankranti. There has often been confusion about the date of Makar Sankranti, whether it will be on January 14 or January 15. In 2025, Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on January 14.

Makar Sankranti 2025

This year, the Sun will enter Capricorn on January 14, so Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on January 14, 2025.

Makar Sankranti Auspicious Timing

Sankranti 2025 Date – January 14

Sankranti Punya Kaal – 09:03 AM to 05:46 PM (8 hours 42 minutes)

Sun Begins Its Northward Journey

With Makar Sankranti, the Sun begins its northward movement (Uttarayan). This means the Sun directly faces the northern hemisphere. Simply put, after the Sun enters Capricorn, the days start getting longer, continuing until June 14. After that, the days shorten again. The start of the Sun’s northward journey brings warmth and longer days, while the nights become shorter. This leads to increased human productivity. To express gratitude to the Sun, Sankranti is celebrated in India and several neighboring countries under different names.

Importance of Sankranti

In astrology, the Sun and Saturn are considered opposing planets, but on Makar Sankranti, the Sun enters Saturn’s zodiac. According to some ancient stories, on this day, the Sun overcame its anger towards Saturn and visited his house, which is why Makar Sankranti is celebrated. According to religious beliefs, taking a holy dip in rivers, performing donations, and prayers on this day brings immense spiritual rewards. This day marks the end of the malmas (inauspicious month) and the start of an auspicious period. It is also considered a day of prosperity and happiness.

Donations on Makar Sankranti

On Sankranti, the Sun moves from its southern course to the northern. A holy bath in sacred rivers, performing donations, chanting mantras, and conducting rituals is highly auspicious. The merits of donations made on this day are believed to multiply by a hundred times. It is considered especially good to donate sesame seeds, jaggery, and grains on this day.

End of Malmas

In Hinduism, there are certain months that are considered inauspicious, during which no auspicious or ceremonial activities are done. One such month is the “Kharmaas” (inauspicious month). On January 15, with the Sun’s entry into Capricorn, the Kharmaas comes to an end.

Why the Kite Festival on Sankranti?

In India, the tradition of flying kites on Sankranti has been long-standing. Many people also refer to this day as the Kite Festival. People gather on their rooftops to fly kites. The primary reason for this is that the sunlight during Makar Sankranti is believed to be beneficial for health. During this time, the weather is cold, and the Sun’s rays are considered beneficial for the skin and bones, providing warmth and improving overall health.

Earn Punya by Donating Sesame

On Sankranti, there is a tradition of donating sesame seeds, and people also consume foods made from sesame. There are both religious and scientific reasons for this.

Religious Aspects of Sesame

Donating sesame seeds on Makar Sankranti is believed to bring a hundred times more rewards.
Donating sesame or consuming sesame-based foods helps relieve the negative effects of challenging planetary positions.
It is believed that daily worship of Lord Vishnu with sesame seeds during the month of Magha removes all hardships.
Saturn is the ruler of Capricorn, and despite being the son of the Sun, there is an adversarial relationship between them. Therefore, to avoid difficulties caused by the Sun’s entry into Saturn’s house, sesame seeds are donated and consumed on Makar Sankranti.

Scientific Aspects of Sesame

Sesame and jaggery are considered to be warming foods. Their consumption keeps the body warm.
Sesame oil nourishes the skin and provides moisture.
– Sesame contains a rich supply of copper, magnesium, iron, manganese, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, vitamin B1, and fiber.
Consuming sesame provides the body with ample calories.
Sesame is also an antioxidant, helping to eliminate harmful germs from the body.