SHANI MAHARAJ & MAKAR SANKRANTI

14th January is Makar Sankranti.  Makar Sankarnti is the festival of Lord Surya or Sun, who is the symbol of “divinity and wisdom”. According to the Puranas,  Lord Surya visits the house of his son Shani/Saturn (the lord of Makar rashi or Capricorn) for a month on this day. Therefore the day of Makar Sankaranti also enhance the importance of the special bonding between the father and the son. Hence, on this day, you can offer sesame or mustard oil to the deity of Shani Maharaj  and seek special blessings of Shani Maharaj.This day starts the ‘day’ of Gods (devtaas), as the sun changes its celestial path and enters from Dakshinayana into Uttarayana or moves from Tropic of Capricorn to Tropic of Cancer. The southward movement of the sun (Dakshinayana) is considered as the ‘night’ of Gods/devatas. So, most of the auspicious things are started from the day of Makar Sankranti and therefore it is considered to be the beginning of an auspicious phase in Indian culture. It is said that Lord Vishnu put an end to the increasing terror of the demons by demolishing them and burying their heads under the Mandara Parvata on the day of Makar Sankranti. Therefore the event of Makar Sankaranti represents the end of ‘negativity’ and beginning of an era of righteous living.

This day marks the “holy phase of transition”. On this day, the Sun changes its celestial path and moves from one zodiac sign into another and this is known as “Sankranti”. As the Sun enters into the Makar Rashi (Capricorn) from Dhanu Rashi (Sagittarius), this event is termed as Makar Sankranti.

The festival of Makara Sankranti is the true symbol of spiritual enlightenment, peace, prosperity and happiness. 

Jai Shani Maharaj ki!