The importance of Makar Sankranti| Wise words of Sadhguru

Makara Sankranti, also known as Uttarayana or Maghi, is a festival day in the Hindu calendar, in reference to deity Surya (the sun god). It is observed each year in January. It marks the first day of sun's transit into the Makara (Capricorn), marking the end of the month with the winter solstice and the start of longer days.Makara Sankranti is observed with social festivities such as colorful decorations, rural children going house to house, singing and asking for treats in some areas (or pocket money), melas (fairs), dances, kite flying, bonfires and feasts. It is considered as a harvest festival in the crop producing states of India like Punjab, Kerala, etc.
Makara Sankranti is regarded as important for spiritual practices and accordingly, people take a holy dip in rivers, especially Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri. The bathing is believed to result in merit or absolution of past sins. They also pray to the sun and thank for their successes and prosperity. The largest religious gathering of the humanity, the Kumbh Mela also begins on the day. People take a holy dip in the water of holy rivers and it is believed that it frees them from all their sins.