Sankranti - From Punjab to Kerala

Makar Sankranti is celebrated throughout India. In North India people take holy dip in Ganga on Makar Sankranti day. Thousands of people throng Hindu pilgrimage places like Haridwar, Banaras and Allahabad to take holy dip in Ganga. It is believed that holy dip in Ganga on Sankranti purges all sins committed by the person.

Makar Sankranti is also the main bathing day at Ganga Sagar Mela which is held near Kolkata. Sikh community especially in Punjab and Haryana celebrates Lohri one day before Sankranti.

In Tamil Nadu people celebrate Pongal on the very same day. Pongal is celebrated for four days but the most important day of Pongal festivity is known as Thai Pongal and it is celebrated on Makar Sankranti day.

In Kerala, the most important event on Makar Sankranti is Makaravilakku. The world famous Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple celebrates Sankranti during evening by lighting Makaravilakku. Makaravilakku is artificial light that is created three times at a distant hill. Thousands of devotees wait for Makaravilakku as it symbolizes celestial lighting at Sabarimala Hills.

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Is Sankranti on 13th January 2013?

No. However few most circulated Hindi newspapers in North India like Amar Ujala and Hindustan are publishing date of Makar Sankranti as 13th January. We don’t know the reasoning behind it. But according to both Surya Siddhanta and Drik Siddhanta date of Makar Sankranti is falling on 14th January.

Also the official website of Maha Kumbh which is under preview of U.P. Tourism lists Sankranti on 14th January which is also the first day of Shahi Snan at Sangam.

This year Sankranti would occur at 07:03 A.M. on 14th January and Punya Kaal would begin from this moment to sunset. However Maha Punya Kaal would prevail only for 24 minutes just after sunrise.

Please visit Makar Sankranti Punya Kala timings to check auspicious timings for Makar Sankranti for your city.

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