Makar Sankranti festival is celebrated to mark the annual transit of the Sun from the Dhanu (Sagittarius) to Makar (Capricorn). The day also signifies the commencement of the northward movement of the Sun, a period known as Uttarayan.

The festival also denotes the end of the winter season and the beginning of spring season. Read further to know the procedure of Makar Sankranti Puja.

Makar Sankranti Puja Preparations

Though the Sun is primarily worshipped during Makara Sankranti, people also offer worship to Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi during this day.

The following are the Makara Sankranti Pooja preparation procedure.

• Clean the entire house and especially the Puja room
• The person performing the Makara Sankranti Puja has to take an oil bath in the early morning.
• Decorated the house entrance and puja room with Rangolis. Tie garland of flowers and mango leaves at the doorways.
• Clean the puja room thoroughly and fill the Panch Patra with water.
• Place a wooden bajot, sprinkle some Gangajal on it and cover it with a piece of fresh yellow cloth.
• Take a fistful of raw rice and make a small pile on the right side. Repeat this procedure four more times and place the heap of rice one after the other towards left.
• Carefully place the idol or image of Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi and Surya Bhagwan on each of the rice piles.
• Lit an oil lamp and place it to the right corner of the bajot.
• Sprinkle some water on each of the deities and commence the puja by invoking Lord Ganesha and seeking his blessings.
• Offer Haldi, Chandan, Kumkum, Janeu, Kalava, Durva grass, flowers, incense and a fruit.
• Recite the Ganesha Gayatri Mantra, Om Ekadantaya Viddhmahe, Vakratundaya Dheemahi Tanno Danti Prachodayat
• After praying to Lord Ganesha, perform puja of Lord Shiva. Offer Chandan, Janeu, Kalava, Vilva Patra, flowers, incense and fruit.
• Recite the Rudra Gayatri Mantra, Om Tatpurushaya Vidmahe Mahadevaya Dhimahi Tanno Rudrah Prachodayat
• After praying to Lord Shiva, offer Haldi, Chandan, Kumkum, Janeu, Kalava, Tulsi leaves, flowers, incense and a fruit to Lord Vishnu.
• Recite the Vishnu Gayatri Mantra, Om Narayanaye Vidmahe Vasudavaye Dhimahi Tanno Vishnu Prachodayat
• After worshipping Lord Vishnu, offer your prayers to Goddess Lakshmi.
• Offer Haldi, Chandan, Kumkum, Kalava, Lotus/flowers, incense and a fruit and a Tamboolam.
• Recite the Lakshmi Gayatri Mantra, Om Mahalakshmaichya Vidmahe Vishnu Patnaichya Dheemahi Tanno Lakshmi Prachodayat
• After praying to Goddess Lakshmi, worship Surya Bhagwan. Offer Haldi, Chandan, Kumkum, Janeu, Kalava, flowers, incense and a fruit. You can also do Arghya (a ritual of offering water to the Sun God) while facing the Sun.
• Recite the Surya Gayatri Mantra, Om Aadityaya Vidmahe, Martandaya Dheemahi, Tanno Suryah Prachodayat
• You may offer Bhog to each of the deities. The bhog should be prepared with devotion and purity.
• Complete the Makara Sankranti puja by performing the aarti of each of the deities.
• Distribute the Naivedhya as Prasad to your family and friends.
• You can also invite Brahmins for a meal and donate some basic necessities of life like utensils, clothes and grains.