What is Sankranti?

Sankranti is the movement of Sun from one zodiac sign to another. The time between one solstice to another is the solar month. Although there are 12 Surya Sankranti in total, Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Makar Sankranti are prominent among them.

Why is Makar Sankranti celebrated?

When the sun reaches Capricorn from Sagittarius sign, Makar Sankranti is celebrated. The importance of the Sun moving from Sagittarius to Capricorn is more important because at this time the Sun becomes Uttarayan from Dakshinayan. Uttarayan is considered the day of the gods. Bathing in auspicious rivers and performing charity in the time of Makar Sankranti have special significance. Prasad of sesame and jaggery is also distributed on Makar Sankranti. There is a tradition of flying kites in many places like the Gujarat state of India.

Lohri Importance:

Lohri marks the end of the winter season and welcomes the sun moving in the northern hemisphere.  People celebrated Lohri in the form of gathering, encircling the bonfire, dancing, and singing and welcome the harvest of rabi crops. Lohri is a farmer’s festival. The fire around which people gather and celebrate Lohri signifies the gratitude offered to the sun god.

History of Lohri:

There was a story of Dulla Bhatti which is related to the festival of Lohri. He was a kind person who used to steal wealthy people and feed to the poor with that amount. There is a tradition of asking for Lohri door to door in which children sing and dance to show their gratitude to Dulha Bhatti.

Lohri sweets:

 Some special sweets and delicacies like kheer, Revadi, Gajjak, popcorn, til laddu, Ghevar and Mungfali offer as Prasad at the time of Bonfire.