Makar Sankranti 2021: Check out puja vidhi, timings and items needed for Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is celebrated in various parts of India with great fervour. In the Hindu calendar, Makar Sankranti 2021 festival is dedicated to the Sun deity Surya. It marks the first day of the sun's transit into Makara, marking the end of the month with the winter solstice and the start of longer days.

The festival of Makar Sankranti holds both religious as well social significance, since it is believed to be the first day of the sun’s transition into the zodiac sign Capricorn or Makara in Hindi.On this day, many people take a holy dip in rivers like Kaveri and Ganga, but due to covid-19 restrictions are expected to be observed in many parts of the country. 

Check out the timings for puja:

Makar Sankranti punya kaal: 8.30 am to 5.46 pm
Makar Sankranti maha punya kaal: 8.30 am to 10.15 am

Check out what the puja comprises:

* Kalash sthapana
* Shodashopchar puja
* Suryadev puja
* Suryadev Shanti yagya
* Gou puja
* Ganga puja
* Surya Gayatri japa
* Brihad Aditya Hriday Strota path
* Sarva Shanti puja
* Purnahuti
* Homa and visarjan

According to Drik Panchang, Sankranti activities, like taking bath, offering naivedhya (food to deity), offering charity, performing shraddh rituals and breaking the fast, should be done during the punya kaal. If Makar Sankranti happens after sunset, all punya kaal activities must be postponed until next day’s sunrise.