Makar Sankranti 2024: Makar Sankranti 2024: The festival marks the day the sun transits into Makara Rashi or Capricorn zodiac. As per the solar calendar, it falls on 14 January every year. The festival also marks the end of winter and the beginning of a new harvest season. It has both seasonal and religious significance. It is considered one of the most auspicious days of the Hindu calendar. Why is Makar Sankranti celebrated? Sankranti day is dedicated to Lord Sun. It also refers to a specific solar day in the Hindu calendar. On this auspicious day, the sun enters the zodiac sign of Capricorn or Makar which marks the end of winter months and the beginning of longer days. This is the beginning of the month of Magh. To recompense for the distinction that happens due to the revolution around the sun, every 80 years the day of Sankranti is deferred by one day. From the day of Makar Sankranti, the sun begins its northward journey or Uttarayan journey. Therefore, this festival is also known as Uttarayan. On this day, farmers across the country wish for a good harvest. READ| Happy Makar Sankranti 2024: Top 20 Wishes and Messages to share with Near and Dear ones Makar Sankranti 2023: Surya Namaskar Demonstration Programme Surya Namaskar Demonstration programme will be organized by the Ministry of AYUSH on 14 January 2023 for 75 lakh people globally on Makar Sankranti to commemorate the journey of the Sun to the Northern Hemisphere. According to pib, this occasion commemorates thanksgiving to 'Mother Nature' for bestowing health, wealth, and happiness. Exposure to the Sun further provides the human body with Vitamin D, which has been widely recommended in all medical branches around the world. Is Makar Sankranti on the 14th or 15th January? Makar Sankranti 2023: Date and Puja Timing According to Drikpanchang.com, Makara Sankranti Punya Kala will begin at 02:43 PM and ends at 05:45 PM. The duration will be of 3 hours 02 minutes. The Makara Sankranti Maha Punya Kala will begin at 02:43 PM and end at 04:28 PM, the duration will be 1 Hour 45 Mins. The Makara Sankranti Moment will be at 2:43 PM. READ| Happy Lohri 2023: Wishes, Messages, Greetings, Quotes, WhatsApp and Facebook Status, Poems, Significance, and More Makar Sankranti History Sankranti is deemed a Deity. As per the legend, Sankranti killed a devil named Sankarasur. The day next to Makar Sankrant is called Karidin or Kinkrant. On this day, Devi slew the devil Kinkarasur. The information of Makar Sankranti is available in Panchang. The Panchang is the Hindu Almanac that provides information on the age, form, clothing, direction, and movement of Sankranti. According to the DrikPanchaang, "The time between Makar Sankranti and 40 Ghatis (roughly 16 hours for Indian locations if we consider 1 Ghati duration as 24 minutes) from the time of Makar Sankranti is considered good for auspicious work. This duration of forty Ghatis is known as Punya Kaal. Sankranti activities, like taking bath, offering Naivedhya (food offered to deity) to Lord Surya, offering charity or Dakshina, performing Shraddha rituals, and breaking fast or Parana, should be done during Punya Kaal. If Makar Sankranti happens after Sunset then all Punya Kaal activities are postponed till the next Sunrise. Therefore, all Punya Kaal activities should be done in the daytime."