Makar Sankranti is one of the most important festivals celebrated with a great hustle and bustle at ISKCON temples. This is the first festival of New Year with Shri Krishna’s blessings that we celebrate at ISKCON.
This is the day when the God Sun enters into the Northern Hemisphere. The Sun who symbolizes health, wealth, good harvest, and renewable energy. The traditional Indian calendar is based on lunar positions, Makar Sankranti Celebrations is a solar event which literally means movement of sun from one zodiac sign to another (Sankramanam in Sanskrit). Thus Makar-Sankranti signifies the movement of the Sun into the zodiac sign of Makara rashi (Capricorn).
When is Makar Sankranti in 2025?
Makar Sankranti usually falls on the last day of Pausha month during the Krishna Paksha. It also marks the beginning of Magha month. It always occurs on January 14.
Significance of Makar Sankranti in ISKCON Philosophy
In the ISKCON, Makar Sankranti festival is considered a kind of spiritual awakening. As it is believed by the devotees that this festival helps them to get lessons from Lord Krishna about charity and service. We all know that the movement of sun signifies growth, enlightenment and the ultimate path that leads us to Lord Krishna’s divine shelter.
Shri Krishna taught us the importance of performing our right actions with dharma. With Makar Sankranti, we remember our resolution to dedicate ourselves to spirituality and work for the social welfare of others.
Makar Sankranti Rituals in ISKCON Temples
ISKCON temples are decorated beautifully during Makar Sankranti. Devotees come together early in the morning for puja and kirtan. They sing sweet melodies in praise of Shri Krishna. The deity is offered flowers, fruits, and grains.
Priests do special rituals like aarti, wherein light from wicks soaked in ghee (butter oil) or camphor is offered to Lord Krishna. Devotees chant the Hare Krishna Mahamantra and perform Sankirtanam, which creates a spiritual atmosphere all around.
Lord Krishna and Makar Sankranti Festival
Makar Sankranti follows the teachings of Lord Krishna, who believed in performing acts of charity and being helpful to others. In this way, the festival is a symbol of Lord Krishna’s divine qualities of protecting dharma and helping the poor.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Shri Krishna emphasizes selflessness and devotion. His devotees follow in his paths by engaging in acts of charity and devotion.
Hare Krishna Makar Sankranti Festivities
Hare Krishna Makar Sankranti celebrations involve Harinaam Sankirtanam, cultural programs and discourses. These discourses describe the kathas of Shri Krishna and his Leelas.
Children and youth enthusiastically participate in these activities by expressing their devotion through dramas and dances. The whole community celebrates the day with each other in devotion to Shri Krishna.
Charity and Donations on Makar Sankranti in ISKCON
Makar Sankranti is all about giving as preached by Shri Krishna. Devotees at ISKCON temples organize donation drives for the needy.
On this day, devotees wake up early in the morning and take a bath with holy water. The ritual of offering to Lord Surya is performed before dawn with newly harvested grains and til. It is believed that one should face the sun and offer water to Surya dev in order to get rid of diseases.
Offering Prayers to Surya Dev on Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti (also called Maghi) is believed to be a time for peace, spiritual enlightenment, and joy. Sun God is considered as a symbol of divinity and wisdom that’s why worshiping him on the day brings prosperity, happiness, and wisdom in everyone’s life.
ISKCON Special Prasadam on Makar Sankranti
One of the main attractions of the Makar Sankranti 2025 celebrations in ISKCON is the special prasadam. Devotees prepare dishes made from newly harvested grains to accept the abundance of nature which Shri Krishna gives.
The prasadam is served to all devotees and also distributed as part of various charitable initiatives in which ISKCON devotees connect with the divine form of Shri Krishna.
How ISKCON Temples Celebrate Makar Sankranti
Devotees in ISKCON temples start their day with mangala arati (early morning prayers). The deities are decorated with new clothes and the temples are decorated with flowers and lights.
A grand kirtan follows and the devotees chant the Hare Krishna Mahamantra together. This creates a spiritual environment that brings everyone closer to the divine presence of Shri Krishna.
The day also includes a spiritual discourse explaining the significance of Makar Sankranti in ISKCON. Devotees learn Lord Krishna’s life and teachings to apply them in their daily lives.
Importance of Donations on Makar Sankranti
Donation plays an important role in the celebration of Makar Sankranti 2025 at ISKCON. Lord Krishna himself highlights in the Bhagavad Gita that selfless acts purify the heart and lead to liberation.
Devotees actively take part in the donation drives organized by ISKCON temples. Some of the common practices are:
- Donating woolen clothes to the needy to protect them during winter.
- We prepare food offered to Lord Krishna with utmost care and attention following high cleanliness and hygiene standards.
- We distribute this prasadam (sanctified food) to various hospitals for the benefit of patients, visitors and medical staff.
- We encourage devotees to contribute funds to support ISKCON’s spiritual programs.
These acts of donation show Shri Krishna’s teachings of serving humanity.
Special Spiritual Programs for Makar Sankranti
ISKCON temples conduct special spiritual programs on Makar Sankranti that include:
- Bhagavad Gita recitations to highlight the eternal teachings of Lord Krishna.
- Story telling sessions expressing Shri Krishna’s life and his role as the Supreme Protector.
- Cultural programs include devotional dances and dramas showing the episodes from Shri Krishna’s pastimes.
- Children and youth get a chance to take part in these programs and express themselves, to make a strong connection with Shri Krishna.
Shri Krishna’s Essence in Every Celebration
ISKCON makes sure that each and every festival including Makar Sankranti should be under Shri Krishna’s teachings. The devotees consider it as an opportunity to show their love and devotion toward Shri Krishna. Every prayer, mantra, and donation bring them closer to the supreme Godhead.
Makar Sankranti is not only a festival for ISKCON devotees but also a spiritual journey with the new year. Besides faith and devotion, it is the renewal of our connection with Shri Krishna that occurs with a chance to cleanse oneself.
This festival inspires devotees to follow the teachers or not Krishna and engage themselves in higher spiritual pursuits.
Why Makar Sankranti is Special in ISKCON?
The rituals of Makar Sankranti that occur in ISKCON temples are reflections of our actions that become an offering to Shri Krishna. With the help of prayers, charity, and devotional activities devotees align themselves with the help of Bhagavad Gita teachings.
When the sun starts its northward journey, devotees look forward to hope and aspiration to enhance their journey toward spiritual enlightenment under Shri Krishna’s direction.
To celebrate Makar Sankranti 2025 in ISKCON means devotees not just follow the paths of their ancestors but also, they enhance their devotion to the supreme protector and guide Lord Krishna.
