Volume 13 : January 2008

Makar Sankranti is always celebrated on the 14th of January of every year. This is the time when the sun (Surya) moves into the Northern Hemisphere (Uttrayan). Makar (Capricorn) Sankranti (transition) is considered auspicious because after this day the days start becoming longer and warmer. It is also strongly believed that this day represents the end of negativities and beginning of a righteous living.

There are many religious significance tied to Makar Sankranti. For example, King Sagar and his sons accused the great sage, Kapil of stealing their horse. The sage felt insulted and turned the king's 60,000 sons into ashes. King Sagar tried to apologize and was told by the sage that his family would only be forgiven if his sons' ashes were washed by the waters of the holy river, Ganga. After many years, on this day, the King's family was liberated from the curse. According to the Puranas, on this day the Lord Sun visits his son's (Shani) home. Lord Sun and Shani did not get along but on this day they set their differences aside and would meet each other. It is also believed on this day that Lord Vishnu ended the terrorism of Asuras by burying their heads under the Mandar Parvat.

On Makar Sankranti, many Hindus gather to take a dip in the holy river, Ganga (at the point where the holy river and sea meet) to wash away all of their and the ancestors' sins. The Gayatri Mantra is chanted to the God Sun to bless them with intelligence, knowledge, and happiness.