Search results

Sankranti, or Makar Sankranti, is a festival that is one of the most important in the Indian calendar, indicating the Sun’s movement into the zodiac sign Makara (Capricorn). Although the festival is celebrated differently in various parts of India, it is all the same as a harvest festival, and Sankranti is a day to express gratitude, share the goods of the earth, and get a fresh start. It is a time when families unite to do poojas, cook, and exhibit the happiness of the season.   For the Indian community in the UK, Sankranti carries up a whole lot of emotions. It is the time to reconnect with the roots of their culture, make up the customs of the past, and educate the children about the importance of Indian festivals. The celebration of Sankranti is not only confined to India; it is also celebrated in a basic and modest way among the Indian people living abroad through small rituals, the sharing of traditional food, and the gathering of family members. Why Do We Celebrate the Sankranti Festival?  Sankranti is a festival that is celebrated in two ways, both as a harvest festival and a solar festival, which is why it is so special among Indian festival celebrations. It noted crucial astronomical events and also mirrored India’s strong link with agriculture and nature. The festival is a big Sun movement indicating the transition of the Sun's into Makara (Capricorn) also called Makara Sankranti. This solar transition defines the commencement of Uttarayan, when the Sun starts to move northwards. In Hinduism this period is of great importance and is associated with positive vibes, development, and new starts.  Sankranti is also a moment to give thanks to Earth, farmers, and the God of Sun (Surya Dev) for food, light, and life. The making of traditional treats with the very first harvested grains, jaggery, and sesame seeds is an expression of gratitude for Nature’s bountifulness and the farmers' dedication. What Is the Spiritual Significance of Makar Sankranti? Makar Sankranti is one of the most important festivals in the Hindu calendar with a spiritual meaning; it is the day when the sun enters the northern hemisphere marking the end of the sun’s southward journey. This time is regarded as very holy and it is the time of giving and prayers, and these good things are regarded as the bringing of positive energy and spiritual merit. On the spiritual level, Makar Sankranti marks the end of the darkness and the arrival of the light; this is both the literal and symbolic meaning of the festival. The longer and brighter days brought by the festival are a call to individuals to leave behind ignorance, negativity, and past burdens, and walk considering purity, positivity, and self-enhancement.  Pooja, charity, and self-restraint are the three main activities during the festival. Giving food, clothing, or other necessities to the poor is considered the greatest act of kindness on Makar Sankranti. Besides that, one can also take spiritual vows, keep silent, and try to live a more disciplined and balanced life. What Are the Three Days of the Sankranti Festival? Bhogi:  Bhogi is the first day of the Sankranti festival and is a day that is completely devoted to the purification and the refreshment of the whole. On this day, people used to throw away all their old and unused items which stand for throwing away all the negativity and the past. The houses are cleaned in every corner and are made ready for the coming of positivity and prosperity.  Makara Sankranti (Main Festival Day) Makara Sankranti is the main day of the celebration and the most important day. It is the day of cutting off pooja rituals to the Sun God, thanking nature for giving abundance and blessings. The houses are festooned, and the families are in new clothes, a sign of happiness and rejuvenation. The preparation and sharing of family gatherings, festive meals, and temple visits are an important part of the celebrations along with traditional sweets and dishes made with rice, jaggery, sesame seeds, and ghee. For Indians in the UK, this day is usually celebrated either at home or in community temples, thus maintaining the traditions even if a distance from India.  Kanuma The third day of Sankranti is called Kanuma and it is all about cattle, agriculture, and nature. The farmers would usually show respect to the livestock for their help in farming and agriculture and so festival day goes on with this theme of respect. What Is the Scientific Reason Behind Celebrating Makar Sankranti?  Makar Sankranti signifies the Sun's movement towards the north, which is called Uttarayan. After this change, the daylight hours get longer gradually, and the quality of sunlight gets better. The shift causes warm days after winter, and it has a good influence on human energy levels, mood, and general health.  The festival furthermore advocates eating according to the seasons; this is done through the body’s needs during winter. The use of the traditional Sankranti foods is to aid the body in its adaptation to the changed weather and possibly to the internal balance. Makar Sankranti is a living example of the ancient customs of nature's rhythms. By being aware of the seasonal changes and changing their lifestyle and food habits our ancestors created festivals that supported both physical health and mental well-being -Sankranti was thus not only a fiesta but also a scientifically mindful tradition that still holds relevance today. Sankranti Pooja Items You Need For Hindus, Sankranti marks the end of the winter solstice, a time when pooja, or religious rituals, are conducted to thank the Sun God and nature for their blessings. The Sankranti pooja items, whether you are celebrating the festival in India or the UK, are necessary to keep the authenticity and spiritual essence of the festival.  Turmeric (Haldi / Pasupu) & Kumkum Turmeric and kumkum, representing purity, prosperity, and auspiciousness, are the mainstays of all Sankranti poojas and rituals. Incense Sticks & Camphor Incense sticks calm and sanctify the atmosphere, whereas camphor is employed during aarti to purify the space and signal the extinction of negativity. Cotton Wicks & Ghee The use of cotton wicks and ghee for lighting a diya signifies the entry of divine light, knowledge, and positivity into the house. Sesame Seeds & New Rice Sesame seeds are deemed holy during Sankranti and are said to repel evil energies. New rice is a sign of plenty and an expression of thankfulness for the harvest. Betel Leaves and Nuts Pooja offerings include betel leaves and nuts, which stand for respect, tradition, and devotion. Where to Buy Sankranti Essentials Online in the UK? For Indian families in the UK, Sankranti preparations can be a bit of a struggle sometimes because of the constant rush and scarcity of traditional items. The online purchase of Sankranti essentials is a solution that is both convenient and reliable - especially when buying from reputable Indian stores like Lakshmi Stores. Easy Access to Authentic Indian Products Online: Indian grocery outlets like Lakshmi Stores stock a large assortment of genuine Sankranti groceries and pooja items which guarantees you the same quality and tradition as you would get in India. Doorstep Delivery Across the UK   By providing delivery service all over the UK, Lakshmi Stores facilitates getting all your Sankranti must-haves right at your door, thus relieving you of the need to make numerous visits to local shops. Time-Saving for Working Professionals Online shopping for busy workers and families turns out to be very beneficial as it draughts away the stress of last-minute festival preparation, thus the focus goes on pooja, cooking, and spending time with the dear ones. Festival-Specific Grocery and Pooja Bundles Lakshmi Stores has Sankranti-specific sets packed with needed groceries and pooja items which not only make festive shopping simple and well-organized but also totally trouble-free. In the UK, Lakshmi Stores UK has become a favorite option for the Indian community when it comes to getting genuine Indian groceries and festival essentials. The online Indian grocery store has an extensive list of items including spices, lentils, rice, fruits and vegetables, snacks, sweets, and pooja materials, all of which can be shipped to your home throughout the UK.