Tag: Makar Sankranti

Special Occasion

Makar Sankranti: One Festival, Many Names, A Shared Indian Spirit

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Makar Sankranti is one of India’s most widely celebrated festivals, deeply rooted in the country’s agricultural traditions and astronomical significance. Observed when the Sun enters the zodiac sign of Capricorn, or Makara, the festival marks the beginning of the Sun’s northward journey, known as Uttarayan. This transition symbolises light over darkness, warmth over cold, and renewal over stagnation, making it a powerful moment of optimism and forward movement.

Unlike many festivals that follow the lunar calendar, Makar Sankranti is based on the solar cycle and therefore falls around the same time every year, usually in mid-January. It coincides with the end of winter and the arrival of the harvest season, when farmers across India reap the rewards of months of dedication and hard work. At its core, the festival is a heartfelt expression of gratitude—to the Sun, to nature, and to the earth that sustains life.

What makes Makar Sankranti truly unique is its celebration across India under different names, each shaped by local culture, language, and tradition. In Punjab it is celebrated as Lohri, in Gujarat as Uttarayan, in Tamil Nadu as Thai Pongal, in Assam as Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu, in Maharashtra as Makar Sankranti, and in West Bengal as Poush Sankrant. Across other regions, it is known as Magha Saaji, Khichdi Parv, Uttarayani, Sakraat, Makar Sankramana, Pedda Panduga, Bhogi, and many more. Though the names differ, the essence remains the same—a celebration of harvest, abundance, and new beginnings.

Traditional customs vary from kite flying and bonfires to holy river dips, community feasts, and the sharing of festive foods made from newly harvested crops such as rice, sugarcane, sesame, and jaggery. The exchange of sesame and jaggery sweets symbolises warmth, harmony, and the strengthening of relationships, reflecting the deeper values of togetherness and goodwill.

Beyond rituals and festivities, Makar Sankranti serves as a reminder of balance—between humans and nature, effort and reward, tradition and progress. It encourages people to let go of negativity, embrace positivity, and step confidently into a new phase of life. As the Sun begins its northward journey and days grow longer, the festival invites everyone to rise with hope, renew their purpose, and celebrate the shared cultural spirit that unites India.

Travel

Magh Mela 2026: The Grand Festival of Faith Begins at the Sacred Sangam, Prayagraj

allycaralgoa

Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh : The divine confluence of faith and devotion returns as the Magh Mela 2026 begins at the Triveni Sangam — the sacred meeting point of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. Revered as one of the holiest gatherings in Hinduism, the fair will continue for 44 days, from January 3 to February 15, attracting millions of pilgrims, saints, and spiritual seekers from across India and beyond.

The fair begins with the Paush Purnima Snan (holy dip), marking the formal commencement of the festival. Over the next several weeks, the Sangam area transforms into a vast spiritual city of tents, filled with chanting, meditation, and discourses by saints and acharyas.

Key Bathing Dates for Magh Mela 2026:

  • 🪔 Paush Purnima – January 3 (Opening)
  • 🌞 Makar Sankranti – January 15
  • 🌑 Mauni Amavasya – January 18 (Main Bathing Day)
  • 🌼 Basant Panchami – January 23
  • 🌕 Maghi Purnima – February 1
  • 🕉️ Maha Shivratri – February 15 (Conclusion)

Each of these days holds deep spiritual significance, symbolizing purification, renewal, and devotion. The largest crowds are expected on Mauni Amavasya, traditionally the most auspicious day for the holy dip.

A Living Tradition of Faith

During the Mela, devotees undertake penance, prayers, meditation, and fasting along the riverbanks. Sadhus, saints, and devotees set up akalp (temporary hermitages) where spiritual discourses and bhajans echo through the air. The fair’s atmosphere embodies a timeless connection between human faith and nature’s divinity.

Government and Infrastructure

The Uttar Pradesh government has made extensive arrangements to ensure safety, sanitation, and smooth conduct of the festival. Advanced facilities, riverfront management, and digital monitoring systems have been set up to assist the millions who visit Prayagraj during this sacred period.

A Divine Journey

The Magh Mela represents more than ritual — it is a reminder of India’s cultural unity, where devotion transcends geography and faith unites millions under the open skies of Prayagraj.