The winter solstice, which falls on December 22 every year is known as Makar Sankranti in India. The festival is one of the most popular in the subcontinent and honors the movement of the Sun in the zodiac. Makar Sankranti marks the point of transition between what is known as Uttarayana and Dakshinayana in India. Uttarayana represents the period of the year till June 21, when the Sun moves northwards in the earth’s sky with each passing day. Dakshinayana represents the period till December 22 when the sun moves southwards.
But there is a little twist in the tale. Makar Sankranti is celebrated on January 14th as per the Gregorian calendar. This is due to the precession of the earth’s axis, which has caused a gradual shift in the date of the winter solstice over centuries. The Makar Sankranti celebration still takes place on the date of Uttarayana as it was a few centuries ago. Makar Sankranti is in fact one of twelve Sankrantis in the year. The Sankranti is itself a symbolism of the movement of life and the progression of time. Typical celebrations include special foods and the flying of kites. Another aspect is bhogi, the burning of old and excess materials that are no longer of any use in the house.
The festival is also called Pongal in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu and is celebrated as a three-day festival. An important of the celebrations here is the Maatu Pongal, which is the celebration and honoring of farm animals, especially cows and bullocks, and an expression of gratitude to them for providing us support and various life nourishing products. This may seem odd in today’s heavily mechanical agricultural system. However, in the past and even today in many parts of India, animals are an integral part of field work and rural life.
Pongal and Makar Sankranti are especially famous for the delicacies that are prepared in homes on this day. In Tamil Nadu, a sweet rice dish is the stock specialty, while in other parts of the country, sweets made of sesame seeds are prepared. Besides the taste buds, the celebration is also about coming together as a community and bonding in celebration.
All things considered, the day is about being grateful for everything that keeps us alive and for all the nature has bestowed upon us. It is an especially significant day to pay our gratitude to the sun and the earth, which are two important players in every human being’s life.
