Importance of Hindu Festival Sankanti
Importance of Hindu Festival Sankanti
Makar Sankranti is considered a day of happiness and prosperity by Hindus. It is believed that taking a bath in the Ganges, on this day, is auspicious. Devotees also pay tribute to the Sun God and express gratitude towards him for blessing us with his warm and glowing rays.
This festival is considered the most auspicious occasion and is one of the few Hindu festivals aligned with the solar cycle. It marks the beginning of the harvest season when people worship new crops and share them with delight.
It is believed that Sankranti, after whom the festival is named, was a deity who killed a demon called Sankarasur. On the following day of Makar Sankranti, called Karidin or Kinkrant, the Devi killed the villain Kinkarasur.
This is also the time when the sun begins to move north. Before Makar Sankranti, the sun shines on the southern hemisphere. Hindus believe this period to be auspicious, and it is known as Uttarayana or Winter Solstice. According to the Mahabharata, Bhishma Pitamah had waited for the sun to be in Uttarayana to embrace death.
perform charity by giving alms to the needy, fly kites, prepare sweets made of sesame and jaggery, worship livestock and more.
Additionally, Khichdi is made and consumed during this festival, especially in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand. This is the reason why Makar Sankranti is also known as Khichdi.
The tradition of kite flying is for a healthy exposure to the early morning sun. The rays are very healthy and provide a rich source of Vitamin D.
The sunlight also helps in getting rid of skin infections and diseases. The sun rays act as a major disinfectant helping in curing colds.
Til/ Sesame Ladoos Occupy Central Place:
Tilgud Or Sesame Jaggery Ladoos are the main sweet dish of this festival. It is typically derived from Maharashtrian culture.
These ladoos are made and distributed among loved ones. This signifies bonding and forgetting ill past and simply spreading sweetness.
The scientific importance of these ladoos is that the sesame seeds help in keeping the body warm. They also provide a good amount of oil which is essential in providing moisture to the skin during winters.