Makar Sankranti: Importance, fasting method and story
Makar Sankranti holds very special significance in Hindu religion. This festival is dedicated to Lord Sun. According to astrology, when the Sun enters Capricorn from Sagittarius, it is called Sankranti. On this day the Sun becomes Uttarayan, that is, after finishing its journey towards the south, it moves towards the north. On the day of Sankranti, fasting, charity and bathing have special significance. It is believed that donation made on this day gives hundred times more results.
Makar Sankranti fasting method
Makar Sankranti fast is mentioned in Bhavishya Purana. On this day, one should worship Sun God after taking bath with water mixed with sesame seeds and oil. Bathing in the Ganga and visiting holy pilgrimages and donating make special virtues. There is also importance of offering prayers and meditation to ancestors on this day.
Makar Sankranti fasting story
Many stories related to Makar Sankranti are found in religious texts:
Story of Lord Surya and Shani
It is said that on the day of Makar Sankranti, Lord Surya visits his son Shani at his house, because Shani is the lord of Capricorn. For this reason it is called “Makar Sankranti”.
story of mahabharata
It is mentioned in Mahabharata that Bhishma Pitamah, who was blessed with the wish to die, chose the day of Sun’s Uttarayan for his death. His belief was that death does not provide salvation during Dakshinayan.
Story of Ganga Descent
According to another story, on the day of Makar Sankranti, Mother Ganga had descended from heaven following King Bhagiratha and reached Ganga Sagar via Kapil Muni’s ashram. On this day King Bhagiratha offered the sacred water of Ganga to his ancestors.
Story of Seth Dinanath and King Vikramaditya
There lived a poor Seth named Dinanath in Chandanpur state. At one time he was very rich and had done many virtuous deeds with his wealth, like building a cowshed and serving orphans. With time he became poor. One day King Vikramaditya announced that whoever tells about his virtues will be given a reward.
Seth Dinanath reached the palace to get his virtues counted. He told all the virtuous deeds he had done, but the king did not give him any reward. Seth started returning disappointed. Then the king stopped him and reminded him that on the way he had fed his share of four loaves of bread to a hungry bitch and her children. The king said that this was his greatest virtue, because this work was done without any selfishness and publicity.
The king explained that any virtue done with the feeling of “I did it” becomes useless. Only virtue done selflessly and without any expression is real virtue. The king gave money to Dinanath and sent him away. After this, Seth lived a happy life following the path of true charity.
Sankranti message
Makar Sankranti inspires us to donate and serve selflessly. Donation of sesame seeds and jaggery, bathing in the Ganga, and offering offerings to ancestors make this festival special. This day symbolizes the attainment of salvation and infusion of positive energy into life.
