Makara Sankranti Wishes, Greetings and History

Makara Sankranti is a popular Hindu festival associated with harvest. The festival highlights the ending of the winter season and the beginning of the harvest season. It is celebrated to honour the Sun God revered as Lord Surya. Farmers across the nation render fervent prayers for a productive harvest on this day.

According to the solar calendar, the festival date is typically 14^th January every year and is an auspicious day. The sun begins its journey in the northern direction from this day. The word Sankranti refers to transmigration by the sun from one zodiac sign to another. The festival has religious as well as seasonal significance.

History of Makara Sankranti

Sankranti is considered to be a deity in Hindu mythology. The legend goes that the female power once killed an asura called Sankarasur. The day the demon was killed is known as Makara Sankranti. On the following day, the same deity slayed another demon known as Kinkarasur. This day is called Karidin or Kinkrant.

Some scriptures state that it was on Makara Sankranti day that Lord Vishnu put an end to the havoc caused by the demons by beheading them and pushing them under the ground behind a mountain. This represents the culmination of negativities while paving way for righteousness and good intentions to help one prosper and live well at the same time. 

Makara Sankranti Celebrations

The Makara Sankranti festival is celebrated with great joy, pomp and gaiety almost all over India. Worshippers take a bath in the holy waters of rivers like Ganges and Yamuna in the north or the sacred rivers like Kaveri and Krishna in the south if possible. It is said that a bath in these water bodies helps one to be freed of the sins committed by him/her. There is also a popular belief that such a bath on the day of Makara Sankranti helps the bathers in attaining salvation or moksha and be relieved from the never-ending birth and death cycle loop.

After the bath, the devotees render their heartfelt prayers to Surya Dev by indulging in various spiritual acts. They express their gratitude to the lord for showering His glowing and warm rays on earth to aid in a fruitful harvest. Farmers also offer their tributes to their bulls, ploughing accessories and just about anything that is used for farming with a wish for a good harvest.

It is a customary practice to prepare kichadi or Pongal as an offering to the Sun God and share this as prasad among the family members later. Kite flying is another important part of the celebrations. People also engage themselves in a friendly competition to determine who can make the most colourful kites and fly them the highest.

People also distribute sweets made using jaggery and sesame among their fellow beings. This act is a representation of harmony, peace and unity among them. They also engage themselves in selfless activities by making donations to the best of their ability to the poor and needy. Hence, this day can also be considered as an ideal day to help those in need.

Makara Sankranti Wishes and Greetings

Like with any festival, no celebration is complete without wishing or greeting loved and caring ones. There are various ways you can do this. However, since it is a harvest festival and related with prosperity, it is only ideal that you opt for an appropriate wish or greeting.

Here, we list 15 wishes and greetings for you to pass on to your near and dear ones on the occasion of Makara Sankranti either in person or as a message or any way you want.

“Wish You a Prosperous and Blessed Makara Sankranti.”

“May Lord Surya Bestow His Choicest Blessings on You on This Auspicious Day.”

“Wish You a Blissful Makara Sankranti with a Prosperous Harvest.”

“Happy Makara Sankranti from My Family to You and All at Home.”

“May Surya Dev Shower His Radiance on You and Make Your Wishes Come True.”

“I Wish This Harvest Season to Bring Wealth and Success in Your Life.”

“I Hope This Day of the Harvest Festival Reaps Abundant Happiness and Good Luck in Your Life.”

“Let the Holy Rays of the Sun God Dispel the Negativity Surrounding You and Your Family.”

“May Lord Surya Bless You to Rise as High as the Kites in the Sky.”

“Let Your Life Be as Colourful as the Kites Soaring Above You.”

“I Pray to The Almighty to Harvest His Choicest Blessings on You and Your Loved Ones.”

“May This Day of New Beginnings Bring Loads of Positivity in Your Life.”

“Wishing You and Your Family a Lifetime Harvest of Happiness and Success.”

“May the Sun God Brighten Up the Lives of You and Everyone Around You on this Day with His Warm Rays. Happy Makara Sankranti.”

“May Your Dreams Come True and Your Efforts Reap Fruitful Harvests on the Wonderful Occasion of Makara Sankranti.”

Written by - Deepthi K