In astrology, Sun is called the king of nine planets. The Sun changes its zodiac sign every month. For this reason Surya Sankranti occurs every month. But, out of the 12 Sankranti of the Sun that occur in a year, only Makar Sankranti is considered to have special significance. When the king of planets, Sun, enters Capricorn, it is called Makarsankranti.
By donating on this day, one gets 100 times the virtue of bathing in holy rivers like Ganga etc.
Sankranti means changing the zodiac sign of the Sun. It is believed that by donating on this day, one gets 100 times the virtue of bathing in holy rivers like Ganga. On this day, Lord Surya is worshiped by offering black sesame seeds and jaggery.
Grandfather left his body on the day of Makar Sankranti.
On the day of Makar Sankranti, Bhishma Pitamah had decided to give up his five physical bodies. He got the boon of voluntary death and left his body only after the Uttarayan sun set. It is on the day of Makar Sankranti that the Sun sets Uttarayan and at this time a person attains salvation after death.
Maharaj Sagar’s sons also got salvation!
It is also believed that on the day of Makar Sankranti, Gangaji had saved 60,000 sons of Maharaj Sagar. 60 thousand sons of Maharaj Sagar got salvation from Gangaji and they went to the abode of God. That is why it is believed that the doors of heaven open on the day of Makar Sankranti.
Bhishma Pitamah had received the boon of voluntary death from his father Shantanu.
Bhishma Pitamah had received the boon of voluntary death from his father Shantanu. This means that he can give up his life as per his wish. However, Bhishma Pitamah had to support the Kauravas in the war. When the Mahabharata war started, Bhishma remained a big challenge for the Pandavas. Because it was impossible to win the war without defeating them. In such a situation, Arjun showered arrows on Bhishma Pitamah, due to which Pitamah was seriously injured. But even after this he did not give up his life immediately. He decided to leave his body on the day of Makar Sankranti so that the door to salvation would open.
