Makar Sankranti is a Hindu festival celebrated on January 14 every year. Makar (Capricorn) is a Hindu zodiac sign and Sankranti means changing direction. According to the Hindu calendar, Makar sankranti occurs when the sun changes its northerly direction from Dhanu Rashi (Sagittarius) to enter Makar Rashi (Capricorn) in the month of Poush. Makar Sankranti is considered to be a very auspicious day and it is believed that any sacred task or ritual can be started or performed on this day and it will be fruitful. It marks the beginning of the harvest season and the end of the cold winter season.
This festival is enthusiastically celebrated in all parts of India. In North India, people take a holy bath in the Ganges, donate rice and dal (lentils), also prepare Khichdi (a rice dish). The famous Magh mela begins this day on the bank of Triveni Sangam in Allahabad.
In Maharashtra Makar Sankranti has a special meaning. On this day the first harvest of sugar cane is celebrated. People wear new clothes, prepare and exchange sweets called Til Ladoo made from sesame seeds and jaggery, using the recent harvest of sugarcane.
Makar Sankranti in Gujarat is known as Uttarayan. On this day people visit their relatives and exchange gifts with them. On this day the tradition of flying kites is also followed. The sky looks colorful with thousands of kites flying in it. The international kite flying festival is also held on this day every year.
In Andhra Pradesh it is called ‘Pedda Panduga’ and it is celebrated up to 3 days. People prepare rangolies and a special rice dish called Pongal. This dish is first offered to Goddess Sankranti Lakshmi and then eaten by people.
In Karnataka, people wear new clothes, visit relatives and exchange their first harvest of sugarcane. They also prepare and trade a special mix of cane sugar, sesame seeds, dried coconut, fried grams and peanuts, honor their animals by giving them a big bath and feeding them Pongal (a rice dish), make picturesque rangolies.
Although Sankranti goes by various names, it is celebrated with great joy and liveliness in each and every part of India.