Makar Sankranti the 14th January is considered as the beginning of an auspicious phase or the holy phase of transition marking the end of an inauspicious phase. It is regarded as a significant day for spiritual practices. It is the day of activating the Saubhagya Chakra, the chakra of prosperity and wealth. There are 114 chakras and 72000 nadis in the human body. These chakras are linked with the seasons, the sun and the moon movements. The January, 14th is very important for awakening the chakras and the nadis.
Makar Sankranti and the Holy River Ganga
It is believed that taking a dip in holy rivers on Sankranti day result in merit or absolution of past sins. The holy river ganga is flowing in our body and mind as an energy channel (nadi). Alternatively, taking dip in holy river Ganges means a kind of special meditation – the inner pilgrimage into the divine energy channels connected with the Higher Consciousness.
In the mythological story on this special day of Makara Sankranti the souls of the 60,000 sons of King Sagara were released from patala, (physically below the earth). Mentally, it is the symbolic day of getting release from the subconscious mind patterns of birth and death cycles. The 60,000 sons of king Sagara are associated with the 60,000 nadis in the body, which carries the unconscious and subconscious habit patterns of the body and mind.
It is also believed that those who worship Lord Surya on Sankranti are blessed with success and prosperity, and accordingly, people take a holy dip in rivers, especially Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri. The Goddess wealth, Lakshmi is usually worshiped on the day of Sankranti. The day for the gods, the positive energy, and the night for the demons will start from this day.
Makar Sankranti and the Lunar Calendar
In India, from ancient times to the present day, six seasons or Ritus. In India, we follow a lunar calendar; the moon goes from new moon to new moon or full moon to full moon in 29.5 days. We get 12 full moons in 354 days, making a lunar calendar year 354 days long. However, the Sun returns to the same spot in the sky every 365.25 days. So, there is a difference of 11.25 days between the solar and lunar years. Every 2.5 years, therefore, an extra month is added to the lunar calendar to roughly synchronize the two.
The path of the sun, is divided into 27 nakshatras or sectors while the path of the sun is also divided into 12 Rashis or Signs. The 360 degree of the sky is divided into 27 subdivision of 13.20 degrees identified with 27 stars. These Nakshatras are broadly classified under the three heads of Deva (divine), Nara (human) and Rakshasa (Demonic).
Each Rashi is assigned to particular Nakshatra(s). Nakshatras are used for determining the auspicious dates and Muhurtha (moment). Makar Sankranti is a significant and auspicious day as the Sun enters Makar Rashi. Makar Rashi is linked to the Yashasvini Nadi the channel of leadership and the Vajra Nadi – the path of manifestation.
Kumbh Mela and Makar Sankranti
The January 14 is celebrated as New Year’s Day by religious groups who use the Julian calendar. It is celebrated on a fixed calendric day of the solar calendar. It is believed that if one die during Makar Sankranti, they are not reborn but go directly to heaven. Makar Sankranti generally marks the beginning of the Kumbh Mela, the largest religious gathering in the world, is held every 12 years in rotation at the four holy places.
Makara Sankranti, also known as Maghi or Sankranthi, is a Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Surya. The festival of Makar Sankranti is celebrated every year in the lunar month of Magha (January). It also marks the first day of the sun’s transit into Makara Rashi (Capricorn), marking the end of the month with the winter solstice and the start of longer days. Bathing in the early hours on Makar Sankranti is important. Hindus light lamps with sesame oil as this is supposed to give prosperity and drive away all sins.
Makar Sankranti Festivals
This is the time of the famous ganga sagar mela, where more than four million people gather on the banks of the Ganga at the Gangasagar, to take a holy dip in Ganges.
The festival of Makar Sankranti is known with different names in different parts of the country, for example, Magh Bihu in Assam, Maghi (preceded by Lohri) in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, popular amongst both the Hindus and Sikhs in central India.
Thai Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Ghughuti in Uttarakhand Makara Sankranti in Odisha, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa, West Bengal (also called Poush Sankranti) and Uttar Pradesh (also called Khichdi Sankranti) or simply as Sankranthi in Andhra Pradesh (also called as Pedhha Panduga) and Telangana.
Makar Sankranti and Uttarayan
On January 14 Uttarayan period (Makar Sankranti) starts and ends at Karka Sankaranti that is 16 July. Uttarayan refers to the northward movement of the Sun. It is six months long period. During Uttarayan days are longer and nights are shorter. This period is also known as the period of devas – the divine positive energies. Meditations, donations, charities, spiritual practices are very effective during this period. During Makar Sankranti the sun rays are very healthy for the body and skin. This northward movement of the Sun from winter to summer solstice consists of three seasons: winters, spring and summers.
Makar Sankranti and the Nature
The season begins to change from winter to slow and gradual shift towards equinox and then summer, days will start gradually to be longer than the nights. This is the time when trees will start budding, and plants are beginning a new cycle of growth. In many places, spring flowers are beginning to bloom. Scientifically there will be changing sensitivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis to gonadal hormones, which reduces the stress, strain and anxiety. Hence, this period is best time to transform the raw energies to subtle higher spiritual energies.
Summary
Makar Sankranti the 14th January of every year is regarded as the beginning of an auspicious phase for humanity. This northward movement of the Sun from winter to summer is an ideal period for meditation, spiritual and virtues activities. Makar Sankarni is the ideal period for detoxifying the 60,000 nadis, the energy channels in the body through meditation. Activation of the Saubhagya Chakra is like taking dip in the river Ganges.
The course cover the 14 principal nadis and other 114 main nadis in the human body. These nadis are densely connected to the 114 chakra system.