Makar Sankranti 2024: The festival of Makar Sankranti is celebrated across the country. This is the most important festival after the beginning of the new year. Besides, it is also special in Hindu religion because with Makar Sankranti, Kharmas end and auspicious activities begin.
On Makar Sankranti, Sun God comes out of Sagittarius and enters Capricorn. That is why it is called Makar Sankranti. Makar Sankranti is also known by different names like Sankranti, Pongal, Maghi, Uttarayan, Uttarayani and Khichdi festival etc. On this day people bathe in holy rivers, do charity and worship. Besides, it is also mandatory to cook, eat and donate Khichdi in this festival.
When is Makar Sankranti 2024 (Makar Sankranti 2024 Date)
Every year there is confusion regarding the date of Makar Sankranti. This year also people are confused whether to celebrate the festival of Makar Sankranti on 14th January or 15th January. Let us tell you that, according to the calendar, the festival of Makar Sankranti in 2024 will be celebrated on Monday, 15 January 2024.
Why is ‘Khichdi’ mandatory on Makar Sankranti?,
Like sesame, jaggery, rewari etc., khichdi also has special significance on Makar Sankranti. That is why it is also known as Khichdi festival. Actually Khichdi is not an ordinary food. Rather it is related to the planets. It is believed that Khichdi made from a mixture of pulses, rice, ghee, turmeric, spices and green vegetables is related to the nine planets. Therefore, consumption of Khichdi gives auspicious results.
Rice in Khichdi is related to the Moon, salt to Venus, turmeric to Jupiter, green vegetables to Mercury and the heat of Khichdi to Mars. Black urad dal and sesame seeds are used in Khichdi made on Makar Sankanti, whose donation and consumption brings blessings of Sun God and Shani Maharaj.
This is how the Khichdi tradition started
The tradition of eating Khichdi on Makar Sankranti is very old. Eating and donating Khichdi on Makar Sankranti is associated with Baba Gorakhnath and Alauddin Khilji. According to the story, Baba Gorakhnath and his disciples also fought a lot against Alauddin Khilji and his army. Due to war, Yogi was not able to cook and eat food. Due to this, the physical strength of the yogis was becoming weaker day by day.
Then Baba Gorakhnath prepared a dish by mixing pulses, rice and vegetables, which was named ‘Khichdi’. This was a dish that could be prepared in less time, limited ingredients and less effort, the consumption of which gave strength to the yogis and kept them physically energetic.
When Khilji left India, the Yogis prepared Khichdi in a similar manner as Prasad in the festival of Makar Sankranti. Therefore, every year on the day of Makar Sankranti, Khichdi is prepared and offered to Baba Gorakhnath. After this it is accepted as Prasad. Along with eating Khichdi, there is also importance of donating on the day of Makar Sankranti.
read this also: Happy Makar Sankranti 2024: Send these wonderful wishes to your loved ones on Makar Sankranti
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