Makar Sankranti Puja Talk (translated from Marathi). Pratishthan, Pune (India), 14 January 2002. The meaning of Makar Sankranti is “Sankram” [“transition” in Sankrit], i.e. the day that brings about some change. On this day the sun starts its movement towards the northern hemisphere. In India all the festivals are according to the position of the moon. That’s why their dates are different in different years. Makar Sankranti is based on the position of the sun and that is the reason this festival is celebrated every year on 14th January. Makar Sankranti indicates the day when the Sun becomes warmer. The heat of the sun is benevolent for the human race. It is because of this heat (of the sun) that we can walk, we can talk. The heat of the sun makes a human being angry. This is the reason why we take jaggery on this day so that we talk sweetly.The heat of the sun is responsible for all the vegetation and wealth of the earth. On this day we offer fruits and vegetables to the Devi and receive her blessings. With the blessings of Adishakti the earth element cools down and the human race progresses. The festival of Sankranti has a cultural significance. People all over India celebrate this festival very enthusiastically. In other countries also it is celebrated. But in India it is given special importance. In India we do not have extremes of temperatures, the climatic conditions are quite balanced. India is blessed by the Adishakti. Read More …