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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.
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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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.