Makar Sankranti 2024: Know How Egyptians, Mesopotamians, Greeks, Germans Also Worshipped Sun

Makar Sankranti 2024: The word Sankranti means "transition" or "movement" whichrefers to the sun's movement from the southern hemisphere to the northern hemisphere.  According to astrology, the word Makar refers to the zodiac sign Capricorn, which the sun enters on this day. In Hindu astrology, the sun's transit through different zodiac signs is considered significant and is believed to influence various aspects of life.

According to the Hindu solar calendar/Hindu Panchang, Makar Sankranti 2024 date is decided by the first day of the 10th solar month Magh. It is said that when the Sun is making a transition from Dhanu Rashi to Makar Rashi, Makar Sankranti is observed. Makar Sankranti is a Hindu festival that celebrates the sun's northward journey and the beginning of the auspicious Uttarayan period. 

Generally Makar Sankranti is  to celebrate on 14/15  across the country. Being the Sun as the important source of energy to the universe, it is used to worshiped by almost all the old civilization earlier. On the day of Makar Sankranti, the devotees use to take a religious bath in the holy rivers around them. 

According to the Hindi Calendar, Makar Sankranti is the occasion when the Sun begins its Northward movement, it is observed. Sun Makar which is refers as the zodiac Capricorn and it is the important zodiac in the hindu Calender. On the day of the Makar Sankranti, which is known as the transition of the zodiac by the Sun is known as the Makar Sankranti. 

Sun was special not just to Indian Panchang, but all across the world. We use to worship the Sun not only in India, even the ancient Egyptians worshipped sun as Atum and Horus, Mesopotamians as Shamash, Germans as Sol, Greeks as Helios and Apollo.

Like many other celebrations in the country as a part of festivity, Makar Sankranti is also meant for different kind of enjoyment including with kite flying, attending fairs aside from finger-licking food and much more. 

Hindu Solar Calendar

According to the Hindu solar calendar, the Makar Sankranti festival has its reason to celebrate. It has been said that when the Sun begins its Northward movement, it is observed. Makar which is refers as the zodian Capricorn and it is the important zodiac in the hindu Calender.  Sankranti repersents the Transition which reflects that Sun Shifts into Capricorn during the phase and on the day Makar Sankranti uses to celebrate.
What Does Sankranti Means

The Sanskrit term ‘sankranti’ translates as ‘transference’ and is used to indicate the movement of sun from one constellation to the next through the year…Our ancients had known the nuances of creation, the motion of sun and the planets, shape, size and location of various heavenly bodies millennia ago.

In fact it is the Makar Sankranti is observed as the suitable time to gear up for the end of the winter season and indication for the harvest seasons in the various parts of the country. On the occasion of Makar Sankranti, people in north India use to take holy dip in Ganga and other sacred river.  People also use to visit on the various important Hindu pilgrimage places like Haridwar, Banaras and Allahabad in a bid to to take holy dip.

Worshiping of Sun in the World Civilization

According to the Hindi Calendar, the Sun was special not just to Indian Pnchang, but all across the world. We use to worship the Sun not only in India, even the ancient Egyptians worshipped sun as Atum and Horus, Mesopotamians as Shamash, Germans as Sol, Greeks as Helios and Apollo. 

 If you go through the details of the various worshipping mode of Sun, the Roman Empire too celebrated the birth of unconquered Sun on the winter solstice (uttarayan) which coincided with December 25th at the time.

Experts further said that with the shift in earth’s axis, the phenomena of uttarayan has shifted from makar sankranti (sun’s entry into Capricornus, January 15 as per Indian Calendar) to December 22, which is when sun is in dhanu (Sagittarius). 

According to the various sources, these subtle changes in the movement of sun and their impact of various aspects of Creation are routinely observed and experienced by surya sadhaks at Dhyan Ashram and applied through the science of sound or mantras under the guidance of Guru for the benefit of Creation.