Every year, around the middle of January, India celebrates Makar Sankranti, one of the most ancient and astronomically auspicious festivals in Hindu Culture. Acquired from the Sanskrit words "Makar" – Capricorn and "Sankranti" – transition, the day marks the Sun's journey into the zodiac sign of Capricorn, implying Uttarayan, the six months when the Sun moves towards the north.
This celestial event is much more than an astrological shift; it is a spiritual reset point. The Makar Sankranti energy marks new beginnings, prosperity, and the victory of light over darkness. As this is the festival of Sunthe, it represents knowledge and awakening, and is also called the time when nature itself seems to recharge with energy.
The Historical and Spiritual Essence of Makar Sankranti
The origin of this celebration traces back to the Vedic era, when the movement of the Sun was deeply linked with agricultural cycles and human consciousness.
The Rigveda and other ancient texts mention the Sun as the giver of life and the ultimate witness of truth. People believed that during Uttarayan, energy flows more freely. That makes it an auspicious time for rituals and prayers.
In different areas and regions, this festival has various names and forms like Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Magh Bihu in Assam, Uttarayan in Gujarat, Lohri in Punjab, and Khichdi Parv in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Yet the core message remains the same – gratitude to the Sun God, celebration of harvest, and renewal of spiritual energy.
In ancient times, temples used to perform Surya Puja using brass and copper idols, as these metals were considered holy. The belief was simple yet profound that when the Sun's rays touched these divine metals, they would radiate healing and also purifying energy throughout the home.
Why Brass and Copper Hold Sacred Energy?
In Indian tradition, metals are not chosen for aesthetics alone – they carry some auspicious significance. Among them, brass and copper hold an enduring place.
Copper is connected with the planet Sun, known to attract and amplify solar and pranic energy. It symbolizes warmth and transformation, which makes it a perfect medium for Makar Sankranti rituals.
Brass is a melodious blend of copper and zinc. It enhances focus, stability, and peace that are ideal for home temple idols and positive energy home decor.
Vastu and Energy Alignment – Keeping Idols Spiritually Alive
During Makar Sankranti, when solar energy increases, it's essential to align your idols with this natural energy shift. These steps ensure that your idols are, in a spiritual sense, "alive", not only as objects of worship, but also as shining centers of power in your home. Here's how you can ensure that your sacred space stays alive:
Wash idols with pure water, rose water, or a mix of milk and honey to clear dust and refresh energy.
Expose idols to morning sunlight to recharge their natural vibrations.
Give jaggery, sesame seeds, and fresh flowers to symbolize your feelings of appreciation and vitality.
Chant Om Suryaya Namaha or the Gayatri Mantra to energize your space.
Place idols facing east or northeast for positive energy flow and abundance.
Recharging Rituals during the Festival of the Sun
Makar Sankranti's significance lies in renewal – both cosmic and personal. Just as the earth renews itself for a new agricultural season, devotees rejuvenate their home temple idols and inner energy through sacred rituals. This is a simple recharging process:
Wipe the altar with Ganga water or turmeric-infused water for purity.
Polish brass idols with lemon and tamarind to bring back their shine and refresh their energy.
Keep copper idols in soft sunlight for a few minutes to absorb solar prana.
Adorn the space with marigolds, tulsi leaves, and diyas to invite positivity and warmth.
The Modern Connection — Positive Energy Home Decor
In modern homes, especially in urban spaces, spiritual idols are finding renewed significance not just for worship but for maintaining harmony and emotional balance. Many people now integrate brass idols, copper idols, and gemstone-based decor as part of holistic living and energy wellness.
Adding a handcrafted brass idol to your living space doesn't just enhance beauty but also subtly shifts the vibration of the room. Brass, when combined with healing gemstones or placed near sunlight, becomes a natural amplifier of positive energy. Similarly, copper idols are believed to neutralize negative ions and promote emotional warmth and creativity.
So this Makar Sankranti, let your decor go beyond aesthetics — let it become a medium of blessings.
Uttarayan Rituals — Welcoming Light and Abundance
The Uttarayan period begins with Makar Sankranti and is traditionally seen as a sacred window when the gods awaken from rest. It's believed that performing Makar Sankranti rituals during this phase brings amplified results. These age-old customs remind us that spirituality is not about glory – it's about staying connected to the light within and around us.
Offering gratitude to ancestors by feeding people experiencing poverty or birds.
Decorating your idols with yellow flowers, as it is the color of the Sun.
Lighting ghee lamps at sunrise and sunset symbolizes the eternal flame of faith.
Sharing sweets made of sesame and jaggery represents unity and warmth among communities.
