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Surya (Sun God)
Makar Sankranti marks the Sun's northward journey (Uttarayana) — considered the beginning of the auspicious half of the year. In the Mahabharata, Bhishma Pitamah waited on his bed of arrows for this day to depart, as dying during Uttarayana is believed to lead to liberation.
Marks the transition from Dakshinayana (southward) to Uttarayana (northward movement of the Sun). Days begin to grow longer. Auspicious for charity, penance, and new beginnings.
Take a holy bath at sunrise, offer water to the Sun (Surya Arghya), donate sesame seeds and jaggery. Fly kites (in Gujarat and Rajasthan). Prepare til-gul laddoos and khichdi. It is one of the few festivals based on the solar calendar, so it falls on nearly the same Gregorian date each year.
Surya Arghya must be offered at the exact Sankranti moment — when the Sun transitions from Dhanu (Sagittarius) to Makara (Capricorn) rashi. The punya kaal (auspicious period) extends for 16 ghatikas (about 6.5 hours) after the Sankranti moment. Ideally, arghya is offered to the rising sun in the morning.
On this auspicious Makar Sankranti, when the Sun begins his Uttarayana (northward journey), I offer arghya to Lord Surya and perform puja for health, vitality, wisdom, and the removal of all darkness from my life.
Wake before sunrise and take a holy bath. If possible, bathe in a river, especially the Ganga, Yamuna, or any sacred river. Add sesame seeds and a few drops of Ganga water to the bathing water. This removes sins and purifies the body.
Face the rising sun. Fill the copper/brass pot with water, add red flowers, akshat, kumkum, and sesame seeds. Raise the pot with both hands and slowly pour the water in a steady stream towards the sun while chanting the Surya Gayatri Mantra. The water stream should catch sunlight, creating a rainbow effect.
Surya Gayatri Mantra
ॐ भास्कराय विद्महे महाद्युतिकराय धीमहि तन्नो आदित्यः प्रचोदयात्
Set up a small altar facing east. Place a Surya image or draw a sun symbol with kumkum. Light a ghee lamp and incense. Offer red flowers, akshat, kumkum, and fruits. Chant the Surya Beej Mantra 108 times.
Surya Beej Mantra
ॐ ह्रां ह्रीं ह्रौं सः सूर्याय नमः
Prepare til-gur laddoos (sesame-jaggery sweets). Distribute them to family, neighbours, and friends with the greeting "Til gur ghya, god god bola" (Take til-gur, speak sweetly). This symbolises harmony and sweet relationships.
Cook khichdi (rice and urad dal with ghee and spices). Offer it first to Surya Devata as naivedya with a lit lamp. Then serve the khichdi to family members. In many regions, khichdi made with newly harvested grain is considered highly auspicious.
Recite the Aditya Hridayam — the sacred hymn taught by sage Agastya to Lord Rama before his battle with Ravana. This is the most powerful Surya stotra and grants victory, health, and removal of all enemies.
Aditya Hridayam (Opening Verse)
ततो युद्धपरिश्रान्तं समरे चिन्तया स्थितम्। रावणं चाग्रतो दृष्ट्वा युद्धाय समुपस्थितम्॥
Donate sesame seeds, jaggery, warm clothes (blankets, shawls), and food to the needy and to Brahmins. Til daan (sesame donation) on Makar Sankranti is considered equivalent to a hundred other charities. Also donate khichdi and fruits.
Perform aarti of Lord Surya with a ghee lamp and camphor. Sing the Surya Aarti while facing the sun. Ring a bell during the aarti. Offer red flowers at the conclusion.
In Gujarat, Rajasthan, and other regions, kite flying is an integral part of Makar Sankranti celebrations. Fly kites in the afternoon sun — the exposure to sunlight during the transition of seasons is considered beneficial for health, as winter UV rays help cure skin ailments.
In the evening, light a lamp and offer a final prayer to Surya Devata. Express gratitude for the Sun's northward journey (Uttarayana) which brings longer days, warmth, and the harvest season. Seek blessings for the coming agricultural cycle.
Surya Gayatri Mantra
ॐ भास्कराय विद्महे महाद्युतिकराय धीमहि तन्नो आदित्यः प्रचोदयात्
oṃ bhāskarāya vidmahe mahādyutikarāya dhīmahi tanno ādityaḥ pracodayāt
We meditate upon the radiant Sun (Bhaskara). We contemplate the one of great brilliance. May that Aditya (Sun) inspire and illuminate us.
108x Japa CountSurya Beej Mantra
ॐ ह्रां ह्रीं ह्रौं सः सूर्याय नमः
oṃ hrāṃ hrīṃ hrauṃ saḥ sūryāya namaḥ
Salutations to Lord Surya through his seed sounds — Hraam, Hreem, Hraum — the vibrational essence of solar energy
108x Japa CountAditya Hridayam (Opening Verse)
ततो युद्धपरिश्रान्तं समरे चिन्तया स्थितम्। रावणं चाग्रतो दृष्ट्वा युद्धाय समुपस्थितम्॥
tato yuddhaparśrāntaṃ samare cintayā sthitam | rāvaṇaṃ cāgrato dṛṣṭvā yuddhāya samupasthitam ||
Then, seeing Rama exhausted and anxious in battle, and Ravana standing before him ready to fight, sage Agastya approached and spoke.
Aditya Hridayam Stotram
The supreme hymn to the Sun from the Yuddha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana. Taught by Agastya to Rama for victory over Ravana.
Surya Ashtakam
Eight verses praising the Sun God. Short yet powerful, ideal for daily recitation during Sankranti week.
ॐ जय सूर्य भगवान, प्रभु जय सूर्य भगवान। तिमिर अन्धेरा मिटत, आपका किरण प्रकाश॥ ॐ जय सूर्य भगवान॥ उत्तरायण शुभ गमन, मकर संक्रान्ति आज। धरती पर सुख बरसत, तेरे तेजमय राज॥ ॐ जय सूर्य भगवान॥ सप्त अश्व रथ राजत, सारथि अरुण विराज। द्वादश रूप धरत प्रभु, आदित्य दिव्य साज॥ ॐ जय सूर्य भगवान॥ संजीवनी शक्ति दाता, जगत के प्राणाधार। तिल गुड़ का भोग लगाकर, करत जगत उद्धार॥ ॐ जय सूर्य भगवान॥
oṃ jaya sūrya bhagavān, prabhu jaya sūrya bhagavān | timira andherā miṭata, āpakā kiraṇa prakāśa || oṃ jaya sūrya bhagavān || uttarāyaṇa śubha gamana, makara saṅkrānti āja | dharatī para sukha barasata, tere tejamaya rāja || oṃ jaya sūrya bhagavān || sapta aśva ratha rājata, sārathi aruṇa virāja | dvādaśa rūpa dharata prabhu, āditya divya sāja || oṃ jaya sūrya bhagavān || saṃjīvanī śakti dātā, jagata ke prāṇādhāra | tila guḍa kā bhoga lagākara, karata jagata uddhāra || oṃ jaya sūrya bhagavān ||
Khichdi (rice and urad dal), til-gur laddoo (sesame-jaggery sweets), sugarcane, seasonal fruits, til chikki, gajak, and revdi
Blessings of Surya Devata for health, vitality, and long life; purification of past sins through holy bath and til daan; auspicious beginning of Uttarayana (the path of the gods); prosperity through charity; and harmony in relationships through sweet words and til-gur sharing