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Makar Sankranti: A Harvest Festival of India

Makar Sankranti is a Hindu festival celebrated throughout India, marking the transition of the Sun into the constellation of Capricorn (Makara in Sanskrit). It is a harvest festival, signifying the end of the winter season and the beginning of longer days.

Here are a few stories associated with Makar Sankranti:

The Legend of Surya and Shani

One of the most popular stories associated with Makar Sankranti involves the Sun God, Surya, and his son, Shani, the God of Saturn. Due to a curse, Shani's gaze could burn anything it touched. To protect Surya from this curse, his wife, Chhaya, created a shadow of Surya and asked Shani to gaze upon it instead.

Shani, however, was not fooled and saw through the deception. As a result, he cursed Surya to suffer from a painful skin condition. The curse caused Surya to become so weak that he could no longer perform his duties of providing light to the world.

To alleviate Surya's suffering, the gods intervened and arranged a meeting between Surya and Shani. During this meeting, Surya agreed to perform a special ritual on Makar Sankranti, which would appease Shani and lift the curse. From that day forward, Makar Sankranti has been celebrated as a day of purification and renewal.

The Story of the Kite Festival

In many parts of India, Makar Sankranti is celebrated with a kite festival called "Patang Utsav." The flying of kites is believed to symbolize the rising of the Sun and the victory of good over evil.

The festival is especially popular in Gujarat, where people of all ages take to the rooftops to fly colorful kites. There is also a tradition of cutting other people's kites, which is seen as a sign of good luck.

The Story of the Kumbh Mela

Makar Sankranti is also a significant day during the Kumbh Mela, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. The Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years at one of four sacred river cities: Allahabad, Haridwar, Nasik, and Ujjain.

Millions of pilgrims gather at the Kumbh Mela to take a dip in the holy river on Makar Sankranti, which is believed to bring spiritual purification and salvation. The festival is a celebration of faith, devotion, and human unity.

These are just a few of the many stories associated with Makar Sankranti. The festival is a time for joy, celebration, and the strengthening of community bonds.