The Significance Of Makar Sankranti by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Makar Sankranti is a harvest festival celebrated in India. Sankranti is derived from the word 'Sankramana', meaning a 'change'. It is also called 'Makara Sankranti', as the Sun enters 'Makara Rasi' that day. It usually falls on 14th of January every year. The Sun starts its northward journey from the Tropic of Capricorn towards the Tropic of Cancer. This journey is called 'Uttarayana', meaning northward march. We, in India, are to the north of the equator. W rejoice on Sankranti Day, because the chilly cold winter comes to a close, and healthy sunny days are about to begin.
Sankranti is called 'Pongal' in Tamilnadu and 'Pedda' or 'Peddala' Panduga in some parts of Andhra Pradesh. 'Pedda' means big and 'Panduga' means a festival. It is a festival, when prayers and offerings are made to ancestors. It is celebrated in different ways in different parts of the country, as it is a harvest festival. It is a festival to thank God for giving a good harvest. By January the paddy, the pulses, the sugarcane and all other cereals would have been harvested. The farmers would be full of joy and happiness.
Makar Sankranti is a festival of joy and happiness for all.