New Delhi, 14 January (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended heartfelt Makar Sankranti greetings to all citizens on Wednesday, blending cultural reverence with invocations for national prosperity on this auspicious harvest festival marking the Sun's northward journey into Capricorn.

Makar Sankranti, observed precisely at 3:13 PM during the sacred Punya Kala from 3:13 PM to 5:45 PM, symbolizes the end of winter and dawn of longer days, celebrated vibrantly across India through kite-flying, sesame-jaggery sweets, and holy dips in rivers like the Ganga.

In X post, PM Modi shared: Best wishes to all my countrymen on Makar Sankranti. May this divine occasion... filled with the sweetness of sesame seeds and jaggery, bring happiness, prosperity, and success to everyone's life. May the Sun God bless everyone.

He elaborated on regional variations—from Pongal in the south to Uttarayan in Gujarat—noting: This auspicious occasion of Sankranti is celebrated... according to local customs. I pray to the Sun God for everyone's happiness, good fortune, and good health, quoting the Sanskrit subhashitam: Suryo Devo Divam Gachhet Makarastho Ravih Prabhu. Uttarayan's great virtues dispel all sins.

PM Modi further greeted the nation on Uttarayan and Assam's Magh Bihu, posting succinctly: Wishing everyone a happy Uttarayan! and Happy Magh Bihu to everyone!—capturing the festival's unifying spirit of togetherness, til-gur sweetness, and Surya Dev blessings for welfare.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar