Makara Sankranti / Pongal
मकरसंक्रान्तिः (उत्तरायण पुण्यकालः)
Presiding deitySurya Bhagavan & Sri Maha Vishnu
Significance & Spiritual Essence
Solar transition into Makara (Capricorn) marking the start of Uttarayana (the cosmic daytime of the Devas); boiling newly harvested rice and sesame-jaggery (Til-Gul).
Dharmaśāstra Astronomical Determination (Nirṇaya)
Authentic Classical RuleScriptural Injunction:
“Observed on the day Sun enters Makara before sunset. If ingress occurs after sunset, the holy Punya Kala is observed on the following morning as mandated by Nirnaya Sindhu.”
No classical authority is recorded for this determination in our catalogue.
Kāla Vyāpti Principle: Vedic festivals are not determined solely by Gregorian dates or standard civil calendar days — the tithi or nakshatra must prevail during its designated Kāla (time portion of the solar day).
For Makara Sankranti / Pongal, worship and vrata rituals are specifically anchored to the Pratah window.
Vrata Discipline & Fasting Injunctions (Niyama)
नमो धर्मविधानाय नमस्ते कृतसाक्षिणे । नमः प्रत्यक्षदेवाय भास्कराय नमो नमः ॥
Auspicious Dāna (Charity & Offerings)
Dāna given on sacred tithis yields multi-fold spiritual merit (Punya):
Ritual & Calculation Tools
Classical Authorities
- Surya Siddhanta
- Bhavishya Purana
- Nirṇaya Sindhu