As the winter chill begins to wane and the first hints of warmth touch the Indian subcontinent, the nation unites to celebrate one of its most ancient and significant festivals. Whether it is called Pongal in the south, Lohri in the Punjab region, Bihu in Assam, or Makar Sankranti across the heartland, the spirit remains identical. It is a celebration of transition, gratitude, and the victory of light over darkness.
While popular culture often categorizes this day purely as a harvest festival, the roots of Makar Sankranti run much deeper. It is a confluence of astronomy, mythology, and profound spiritual philosophy. On this day, devotees pay homage to the cosmic trinity of energy: Surya Dev (the Sun God), Lord Vishnu (the Preserver), and Goddess Lakshmi (the Goddess of Prosperity).
To truly understand the sanctity of this day, we must look beyond the festivities and explore the timeless stories, often dismissed as mere myths, that hold the keys to understanding our culture and our own consciousness.
The Astronomical Shift: The Science of Uttarayan
The term Makar Sankranti is derived from two Sanskrit words: Makar (Capricorn) and Sankranti (Transmigration).
From an astronomical perspective, this festival marks a celestial milestone. It is the day the Sun enters the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makara Rashi). This transit signals the end of the winter solstice and the beginning of longer days. In Indian Vedic astrology, this period is known as Uttarayan, the Sun’s northward journey.
For months, the Northern Hemisphere has tilted away from the Sun, resulting in the cold, dark days of winter (Dakshinayana). Makar Sankranti marks the turning point. It is the awakening of nature. As the Sun shifts its path, it brings warmth to the earth, symbolizing hope and the revitalization of life. It is not merely a change in season; it is considered the “day of the gods,” a time when cosmic energy is most conducive to spiritual growth.
The Divine Reunion: Surya and Shani
One of the lesser-known but deeply significant legends associated with this day involves the complex relationship between a father and son: Surya Dev and Shani Dev (Saturn).
According to mythology, Surya and Shani have a tumultuous relationship, representing the clash between the ego/soul (Sun) and the harsh judge of karma (Saturn). However, on the day of Makar Sankranti, Surya sets aside all differences and enters the house of his son, Shani (Capricorn is ruled by Saturn).
This celestial visit represents a powerful message of reconciliation. It suggests that on this auspicious day, bitterness should be buried, and relationships should be mended. The warmth of the Sun melts the cold rigidity of Saturn, creating a unique reunion of positive energies. It teaches us that love and duty transcend conflict.
The Triumph of Devi: Slaying the Demons of Darkness
While the Sun is the central figure of the festival, the feminine divine plays a crucial role in the narrative of victory. A profound legend tells the story of Goddess Lakshmi taking the formidable form of Sankranti Devi.
Legend has it that terror had spread across the realms due to the atrocities of the demon Sankarasura. He represented chaos and the darkness of ignorance. On this day, the Goddess, embodying the power of righteousness, beheaded Sankarasura, ending his reign of terror. It is also believed that she later vanquished another demon, Kinkarasura.
The mythology extends to Lord Vishnu, who took the severed heads of these demons and buried them beneath the Mandara Parvata (Mountain). This act is highly symbolic. The demons represent the burden of sin and negativity; their burial by the Preserver of the Universe signifies the neutralization of evil. It is the ultimate victory of Dharma (righteousness) and Light over the forces of darkness.
The Mahabharata Connection: Bhishma’s Wait for Liberation
Perhaps the most poignant story connecting mortality with the cosmic timeline is found in the epic Mahabharata. It revolves around Bhishma Pitamah, the grandsire of the Kuru dynasty.
Bhishma possessed a rare boon known as Iccha-Mrityu (death at will). During the great war of Kurukshetra, Bhishma was felled by Arjuna’s arrows and lay on a bed of arrows (Sharashayya). Despite his mortal wounds and immense suffering, he refused to let his soul depart. He waited for weeks, holding onto his life force.
Why? Bhishma was waiting for Makar Sankranti.
Vedic scriptures state that souls departing during Dakshinayana (the southern run of the sun) may return to the cycle of birth and death, while those departing during Uttarayan attain Moksha (liberation from the cycle). Bhishma, a man of immense wisdom, chose to leave his mortal coil only when the Sun began its northward journey, ensuring his spiritual ascent. This story underscores the belief that this day is a gateway to the divine, a portal for spiritual elevation.
Some interpretations also link this transitional period to the concept of the Kalki Avatar of Lord Vishnu—the prophesied tenth incarnation who will arrive to end the Kali Yuga. Just as Sankranti marks a new solar cycle, the energy of this day reminds us of the eventual dawn of a new era of truth (Satya Yuga).
The Harvest: Gratitude to the Earth
Grounded in these high spiritual concepts is the earthly reality of the farmer. Makar Sankranti is synonymous with the harvest. It is a celebration of the ripening of winter crops, primarily rice, sugarcane, and pulses.
When we exchange sweets made of sesame and jaggery (Til-Gul), we are consuming the fruits of the harvest. But symbolically, the sugarcane represents the need for our speech to be sweet and our nature to be flexible yet strong. The festival is a thanksgiving ceremony to Nature and the cattle (worshipped as Kanuma in some regions) that make civilization possible.
Internalizing Sankranti: The Transition of the Mind
The stories of Surya, Devi, and Bhishma are not merely ancient folklore; they are allegories for the human condition. The most important transition of Makar Sankranti is not the one happening in the sky, but the one that must happen within our minds.
Just as the Sun transitions from Dakshinayana to Uttarayan, moving from darkness toward light, we are called to transit our minds from negativity to positivity.
1. Inner Awareness: The demons Sankarasura and Kinkarasura are not external monsters; they live within us. They take the form of ego, jealousy, lethargy, and despair. These “demons” hold us hostage, clouding our judgment and ruining our lives by dictating our reactions.
2. The Slaying of Negativity: The legend of Goddess Lakshmi killing the demons teaches us agency. We cannot wait for darkness to dissipate on its own; we must actively slay it. We must behead the negative thoughts that drain our energy. Like Lord Vishnu burying the heads under the mountain, we must bury our past grudges and failures, ensuring they do not resurface to haunt our present.
3. The New Beginning: This festival is the ultimate reset button. It is a reminder that no matter how cold or dark the “winter” of our lives has been, the “summer” of hope is inevitable.
Therefore, as we celebrate this holy day, let us make a solemn resolve (Sankalpa). Let us control the wandering mind that distracts us from our purpose. Let us kill the hidden negativity inside us. Let us forge a state of mind so strong, so radiant, and so anchored in positivity that, like the Sun, it cannot be obscured by the clouds of circumstance.
Happy Makar Sankranti. May this Uttarayan bring you the warmth of wisdom and the harvest of peace.