Makar Sankranti in 2017

Makar Sankranti 2017 is here with Muhurat

Makar Sankranti in 2017 is on 14 January and this year on Saturday. Sun will rise at 07:15:19 on Makar Sankranti. The auspicious time or Muhurat to perform all the religious activities and commemorating the almighty is from 07:25 to 12:30. The most auspicious time or “Maha Muhurat” is from 07:15 to 09:15 on Makar Sankranti 2017. The sunrise on Makar Sankranti will be at 07:15 and Sunset is at 17:45. Moon rise on Makar Sankranti 2017 is at 19:52 and Moonset at 08:28.

The festival Makara Sankranti 2017 is in 1938 Durmukhi Shaka Samvat and Vikram Samvat 2073, the month is Magh and day is Dwitiya (upto 12:51:13), Krishna Paksha, Ashlesha Nakshatra (constellation) (22:55:44), Priti Yoga (16:25:36), Gar Karna (12:51:13), Vanija Karna (24:10:45), Sun Sign is Capricorn (Makara), Moon sign is Cancer, Rahu Kaal:- From 09:52:47 To 11:11:30, Gulikai Kaal:- From 07:15:19 To 08:34:03, Yamaganda:- From 13:48:58 To 15:07:41, Abhijit:- From 12:09:14 To 12:51:14,

Those were the details about Makar Sankranti in 2017. The Muhurat, sunrise, sunset, moonrise and moonset; everything is mentioned above. However, it is also important to know about the essence of this festival and more.

In south India, “Pongal” and “Uttarayana Sankranti” is the name given to Makar Sankranti. It is called as “Khichdi” in Uttar Pradesh. Makar sankranti is one of the harvest festivals in India. The festival Makara Sankranti is celebrated to mark the transit of sun to the zodiac sign Capricorn (Makar) on its celestial way. In Hindu mythology, Makar Sankranti is also known as the harvest day. However, due to regional diversities, Makar Sankranti has innumerable names and innumerable methods of celebration, depending upon the culture, climate, and location.

The name Makar Sankranti of the festival is derived from the ancient language,- Sanskrit. “Sankranti” means transit of sun to the zodiac sign Makar or Capricorn. There are twelve signs in a zodiac and sun transits in each sign over a year. Sun transit takes place each year. Makara Sankranti is the transit of sun from Sagittarius to Capricorn.

Why Makar Sankranti is given special importance?

From all the transit’s, Makar Sankranti is treated as special and is given unique importance. There are several factors that contribute toward it. On Makar Sankranti, sun becomes Uttarayana (northward apparent migration of sun), it indicates that from now onward auspicious time commences. If we calculate astronomically, Makar Sankranti takes place 21 days after the winter solstice (December 20–23), approximately. The day indicates the northward journey of sun. From winter solstice, the days start becoming longer. Winter solstice begins on 21st December or on 22nd and on this day sun enters the zodiac sign Capricorn. Uttarayana falls on December 21 and earlier this was the actual date of Makar Sankranti. But, our Earth has a tilt of 23.45 degrees and sliding of equinoxes, which causes the occurrence of Ayanamsa. This shifts the time of Makara Sankranti from actual time and it is taking place on new date since years. Makara Sankranti was celebrated on 31st December a thousand years ago and now it has shifted to January 15. Another five thousand years will shift the date of Makara Sankranti to the end of February. And another 9000 years will take Makara Sankranti to the end of June.

Makar Sankranti is a special festival as it marks the commencement of auspicious time of the year. Make the best out of this day. Happy Makar Sankranti 2017!