Makar Sankranti 2024: Makar Sankranti is one of the major festivals in Hinduism and is celebrated when the Sun moves from the zodiac sign of Sagittarius to Capricorn. The festival is also known by various names such as Khichdi, Pongal, Sankranti, Maghi, and Uttarayan and in the year 2024, it will be celebrated on Monday, January 15th. On the day of Makar Sankranti, people take holy baths in rivers, perform charity according to their capacity, worship the Sun, and engage in rituals and prayers. Apart from these customs, donation of sesame seeds (Tuladaan) holds special significance.
It is believed that performing Tuladaan brings numerous benefits, accumulating merits several times over, providing liberation from difficulties, and leading towards salvation. However, let’s first understand what Tuladaan is, along with its significance and rules.
What Is Tuladaan?
In Hinduism, charity is generally considered a virtuous act that pleases the divine, and the merit obtained from charity is believed to extend even beyond one’s lifetime. Among various types of donations, tuladaan is considered the most virtuous. This involves donating grains equal to an individual’s weight. It could be donated to someone in need or for whom the charity is intended.
The Tradition Of Tuladaan:
According to mythology, Brahma initiated Tuladaan to determine the significance of pilgrimage spots. A popular myth associated with this ritual involves Lord Krishna and his consort Satyabhama. Once, Satyabhama gave away Krishna to Sage Narada as a token of ownership. Later, realizing her mistake, Satyabhama sought a way to reclaim Krishna. Narada suggested performing tuladaan with the condition of placing a single tulsi leaf on the donation tray.
Upon Satyabhama’s adherence to this suggestion, the scales balanced, emphasizing its importance. This story highlights the significance of Tuladaan on Makar Sankranti.
Rules Of Tuladaan:
- When performing tuladaan, it is essential to provide for someone who is helpless or in need. Avoid donating to those who have harmed you, as it yields no positive results.
- Tuladaan should be performed after taking a bath on Makar Sankranti.
- Performing tuladaan on a Sunday of the bright lunar fortnight (Shukla Paksha) is considered optimal.
- The day of Makar Sankranti holds special significance for charitable activities, enhancing the importance of tuladaan on this day.
- In tuladaan, one can donate grains, items related to the nine celestial bodies (Navagraha), or items like sesame seeds (til), along with other essential commodities.
