Makar Sankranti – Uttarayan

“Uttarayan” is an amalgation of the two words “Uttar” and “Aayan” where

“Uttar” means North
“Aayan” means Towards.

Thus Uttarayn means the journey of Sun to the north. Literally speaking, this day marks the return of the Sun – its brightness, warmth and positivity to the northern hemisphere. Uttarayan is also known as “Makar-Sankranti”

Mythological

Mahabharat mentions the day of Uttarayan. It is actually the day when the great warrior Bhisma left the earth for his heavenly journey. Bhisma had the boon of choosing his day of death and he waited till the dawn of Uttarayan to commence his journey to the heaven, thus giving immense importance and auspiciousness to the day.

Zodiac

Astrologically, the meaning Makar Sankranti is also an amalgamation of two words = Makar meaning Capricorn and Sankranti meaning the transit of the sun. It together gives a sense of the sun’s transit from one zodiac (sagittarius) to Capricorn.

Religious Significance

Every year, Dhanark or Kharmas begins from 14th of December. During this periods marriage ceremonies are avoided. But as soon as Sun enters in the Capricon Zodiac i.e. Uttarayan, marriage ceremonies can be performed.

Importance of Snaan and Daan

Bathing in holy rivers would gain “punya” – good karma in a person’s life during Makar Sankranti. Also, great importance is given to acts of charity like donating clothes, Anna Daan, Daan of Til (Sesame Seeds), Sweets and Dakshina to Brahmin.

Significance of Kite Flying

Uttarayan is a day full of festivities and is significantly marked by kite flying. Traditionally, the kite is shaped like a diamond with four corners. The four corners of the kite are the representation of the four purusharth – Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. The string that is tied to the kite is symbolic of the attachment of the earth. As a whole the kite symbolises life of an individual and the ways of attaining all the four purusharth with the help of continuous efforts in the correct direction. A balance of pull and push, calm and chaos, mobility and immobility is what kite flying as well as life is all about. The search for self and objective of life is subtly explained by the kite’s desire to soar high and touch the sky – efforts to rise up after every fall and the cogency to withstand robust winds as well as windless skies narrates the journey of human life on earth – a journey full of ups and downs, bumpy rides and the paramount earnestness of human to be better each day.

Social

Uttarayan is generally meant for social gaherings, bondings where people cook a variety of food items together and eat together spreading happiness, harmony and love with music and dance. People also burst crackers and spend the entire day enjoying themselves.