Makar Sankranti marks the first major festival of the year and holds immense significance in Hindu culture. Celebrated with great enthusiasm, it is considered the first joyous occasion of the New Year. Let’s find out when this festival will be celebrated in 2025.
Makar Sankranti is observed when the Sun enters Capricorn (Makara Rashi). While this Sankranti occurs every month as the Sun transits zodiac signs, the one in January is of special importance. Across India, people celebrate this day in various unique ways. The festival is known for its significance in taking a holy dip in the Ganges and offering donations. Bathing in the Ganges and giving charity to the needy or priests on this day is believed to bring great spiritual rewards.
Date and Timings for Makar Sankranti 2025
Makar Sankranti is typically celebrated on January 14, though there is occasional confusion regarding the exact date. This year, the festival will indeed be observed on January 14, 2025.
The auspicious time for taking a holy dip and making donations begins at 9:03 AM and lasts until 5:46 PM. Performing these rituals during this timeframe is believed to provide special benefits.
Food and Recipes for Makar Sankranti
Food plays a significant role during Makar Sankranti, with different regions in India preparing their own traditional dishes. In many places, eating khichdi is considered auspicious, and til ke laddoo (sesame seed laddoos) are a must-have. Not only are these laddoos delicious, but they are also incredibly healthy. Here’s how you can prepare them at home:
Ingredients:
- 250 grams sesame seeds (til)
- 250 grams jaggery (gud)
- 2 tablespoons cashews (kaju)
- 2 tablespoons almonds (badam)
- 7-8 cardamom pods (powdered)
- 2 tablespoons ghee
Recipe:
- Heat a pan and dry roast the sesame seeds until they release a nutty aroma. Set them aside.
- In the same pan, add a tablespoon of ghee and jaggery. Melt the jaggery on low heat until it becomes smooth and syrupy.
- Turn off the heat and quickly mix the roasted sesame seeds into the melted jaggery.
- Add chopped cashews, almonds, and cardamom powder, mixing thoroughly.
- While the mixture is warm, grease your hands with ghee and shape it into small laddoos.
Enjoy these delicious and nutritious sesame seed laddoos as part of your Makar Sankranti celebrations!