Makar Sankranti 2024 History: All You Need To Know About The Harvest Festival

Makar Sankranti 2024: The festival is celebrated in Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Rajasthan.

Makar Sankranti is one of the important festivals in India, which is dedicated to the Sun God and marks the end of winter. Also known as the harvest festival, Makar Sankranti marks the transit of the Sun into Makara Rashi (Capricorn constellation or zodiac). It heralds the start of longer days and the Sun moves northward, which is why this period is known as Uttarayan and is considered very auspicious. Makar Sankranti is celebrated according to the lunar calendar, so it falls almost on the same day every year. 

The festival has both religious and seasonal significance. In ancient times, the shift of the Sun and resultant longer days were celebrated of the change of seasons - from a harsher to a milder climate. This was considered a sign of hope and positivity.

The harvest festival, it is a time of joy, abundance and celebration in the farming communities - when they reap the fruits or their hard labour.