Short Essay On Why Makar Sankranti Is My Favourite Festival
Makar Sankranti is a Hindu festival celebrated in India, and it is my favourite festival for several reasons. Firstly, it marks the end of the winter season and the beginning of spring, which is a symbol of new beginnings and fresh starts. This festival is a celebration of nature, and it reminds me of the cycle of life and the importance of growth and renewal.
Secondly, Makar Sankranti is a festival of love, peace, and unity. It is a time when families and friends come together to share sweets, fly kites, and celebrate the harvest season. The festival brings people of all ages and backgrounds together, regardless of their differences, and it promotes a sense of community and belonging.
Thirdly, the festival has a deep cultural significance, as it is associated with the Hindu God of Sun, Surya. The festival is celebrated on the day when the sun enters the zodiac sign of Capricorn, which is known as Makar in Hindu astrology. The celebration of Makar Sankranti is a way of paying homage to the sun, who is believed to bring light, energy, and prosperity to the world.
Lastly, Makar Sankranti is a visually stunning festival, with its colourful kites filling the skies and vibrant decorations adorning homes and streets. The festival is also known for its delicious sweets, including the popular sweet dish called ’til-gud,’ made from sesame seeds and jaggery, which adds to the festive spirit.
In conclusion, Makar Sankranti is my favourite festival for its symbols of new beginnings, love, peace, unity, cultural significance, and visual beauty. It is a time for reflection and appreciation, and it brings joy and happiness to everyone who celebrates it.
Long Essay On Why Makar Sankranti Is My Favourite Festival
Makar Sankranti is a festival that has been celebrated in India for centuries and is still celebrated with much joy and enthusiasm. This article takes a look at why Makar Sankranti is my favorite festival, from its vibrant colors to its deep cultural meaning. Read on to find out the reasons why this particular festival holds such a special place in my heart.
Introduction
Makar Sankranti is my favourite festival because it is the perfect time to celebrate with family and friends. The weather is beautiful, the food is delicious and there is always a great atmosphere. I love how Makar Sankranti always brings people together, no matter what their religion or background. It’s a time to be happy and enjoy life.
Meaning and Significance of Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti is one of the most auspicious festivals in the Hindu calendar. It is celebrated on the 14th of January every year to mark the beginning of the sun’s journey into the Northern Hemisphere, known as uttarayana. Makar Sankranti is also known as Makara Sankranti or Maghi and is observed all over India with great enthusiasm.
The word ‘Makar’ means Capricorn and ‘Sankranti’ means transition. Makar Sankranti marks the transition of the sun from Sagittarius (Dhanu Rasi) to Capricorn (Makara Rasi). This day is also considered to be the first day of the solar month of Magha.
On this day, people take a holy dip in rivers and offer prayers to Sun God. They also exchange sweets and greet each other with traditional phrases like “Til-Gul ghya, aani goad-god bola” which means “Accept these til-guls (sesame seeds and jaggery ladoos) and speak only sweet words”. Makar Sankranti is also a harvest festival and is celebrated with great pomp and show in rural areas where people thank God for a good harvest.
In Maharashtra, Makar Sankranti is celebrated as Uttarayan or Kite flying festival. People fly kites from their rooftops and enjoy the sport.
History of Makar Sankranti Festival
Makar Sankranti is a popular Hindu festival which is celebrated every year on 14th January. It marks the beginning of the sun’s journey towards the north or the uttarayan. Makar Sankranti is also known as Maghi in some parts of India.
The word ‘Makar’ refers to the Capricorn zodiac sign and ‘Sankranti’ means movement. Makar Sankranti marks the day when the sun enters into Capricorn zodiac sign from Sagittarius.
This day is considered very auspicious and holy by Hindus. On this day, people take a dip in holy rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri. It is believed that taking a bath on this day purifies one’s soul and body and absolves all their sins.
People also offer prayers to Lord Sun and thank him for bestowing his blessings upon them. Sweet dishes made of sesame seeds and jaggery are prepared on Makar Sankranti as it is believed that eating these sweets adds sweetness to one’s life.
Flying kites is also a popular activity associated with Makar Sankranti. People of all age groups can be seen flying kites on this day. The sky looks beautiful with colourful kites of different shapes and sizes flying high up in the air.
How I Celebrate Makar Sankranti
Every year, on the 14th of January, Makar Sankranti is celebrated in India. Makar Sankranti is my favourite festival because it marks the beginning of spring and the end of winter. On this day, the sun enters the Makara Rasi (Capricorn), and hence the name Makar Sankranti.
Makar Sankranti is celebrated in different ways in different parts of India. In Maharashtra, people celebrate by flying kites. In Gujarat, people make special dishes like Undhiyu and Ghughra. But no matter where you are in India, everyone celebrates Makar Sankranti with great joy and enthusiasm.
I love celebrating Makar Sankranti because it is a time to get together with family and friends. We all meet at my grandparents’ house and spend the day chatting, eating delicious food and playing games. I also love flying kites on Makar Sankranti; it’s so much fun!
Makar Sankranti is a very special festival to me and I always look forward to celebrating it each year.
The Traditional Food of Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti is observed in almost all parts of India. It is a harvest festival and is celebrated to mark the end of the harvest season. The traditional food of Makar Sankranti includes sweet dishes made from newly harvested rice, jaggery and milk. These sweets are known as Tilgul in Maharashtra and Pongal in Tamil Nadu. People also exchange tilguls as a gesture of goodwill and friendship.
Customs and Rituals Related to the Festival
There are a number of customs and rituals associated with the Makar Sankranti festival. In many parts of India, people take a holy dip in rivers or lakes on this day. This is done to purify oneself and to invoke the blessings of the Gods.
People also offer prayers and worship the Sun God on this day. Makar Sankranti is also an auspicious day for starting new ventures or undertaking important tasks.
Another key ritual associated with Makar Sankranti is the exchange of sweets and gifts. This is a way of expressing love and affection for our loved ones. On this day, people also visit their relatives and friends to exchange greetings and gifts.
Cultural Significance Of Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti is one of the most popular festivals in India. It is celebrated in almost every state and is a public holiday in many parts of the country. Makar Sankranti marks the end of the winter season and the beginning of the harvest season. It is also considered to be an auspicious day for Hindus, as it marks the start of the sun’s transit into the Makara zodiac sign.
Makar Sankranti is celebrated with great fervour and enthusiasm all over India. People take part in various activities to mark the occasion, such as flying kites, taking holy baths, exchanging gifts and sweets, and making special offerings to the gods and goddesses. The festival holds great significance for farmers, as it marks the end of the cold winter months and signals the beginning of a prosperous harvest season. Makar Sankranti is also a time for families to get together and celebrate their bonds of love and affection.
The cultural significance of Makar Sankranti lies in its ability to bring people from all walks of life together in celebration. The festival is a reminder of our common roots and unity as Indians, regardless of our regional or religious affiliations. It is a time to come together and celebrate our diversity while also rejoicing in our shared traditions and values.
Conclusion
Makar Sankranti is a festival that has held important significance in my life since I was a child. It is the perfect opportunity to take some time off of our usual hectic lives and spend quality time with friends and family, while also having plenty of fun activities to partake in. The beautiful decorations and colourful kites that adorn the skies make it a special occasion for everyone involved. Makar Sankranti will always be one of my favourite festivals!
Manisha Dubey Jha is a skilled educational content writer with 5 years of experience. Specializing in essays and paragraphs, she’s dedicated to crafting engaging and informative content that enriches learning experiences.