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Makar Sankranti
The solar festival marking the sun's passage into Capricorn — a harvest celebration.
📅 January 14
✦ Why It Matters
Makar Sankranti marks the sun's northward journey (Uttarayan) and its entry into the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makara). It is one of the few Hindu festivals based on the solar calendar. It celebrates the harvest season and the end of winter.
✦ How It Is Observed
Kite flying (especially in Gujarat), ritual bathing in sacred rivers, sesame-jaggery sweets (sesame = warmth and bonding), bonfires, donating to the poor, worship of the Sun god.
✦ Sacred Text
“Those who know Brahman — if they depart from this world during the northern course of the sun, the bright lunar fortnight, and the day — they indeed go to Brahman.”
— Bhagavad Gita 8:24-25 ↗