Sankranti, Sankranthi, Makar Sankranti or Makar Sankranthi is celebrated on January 14th.
It is also celebrated as Pongal, Lohri, Bhogali Bihu.
Sankranthi is a day of the month when the sun moves from one Zodiac sign to other. It is derived from the word - Sat + Kranti means good change or suspicious movement. It also signifies change. Sankranti is considered an auspicious day. Makar means Capricorn. On this day sun moves from Sagittarius into Capricorn.
Sankranti vs Makar Sankranti
Sankranti is once in a month. Makar Sankranti is celebrated once in the year.
Makar Sankranti in India
The festival is celebrated in every part of India.
Pongal in South India
The festival is known as Pongal in south India especially in Andhra Pradesh or AP. The festival is celebrated for 3 days. People wear new cloth, exchange gift. Rangolis (colourful decoration) is made at each home.
In Karnataka and Tamilnadu to Makar Sankranti is celebrated with equal enthusiasm. Farmers celebrate the harvesting of Sugar cane.
Makar Sankranti in Western India
In Western India - Rajasthan, Gujrat, Maharashtra it is a very special festival.
In Rajasthan, Gujrat a kite festival is organized. The kiting season starts before Sankranti. On Jan 14, kite festival is celebrated the full day. It is an official Kite day. Gujrat even organizes international kite festival on this day. People reach to open areas or roof of their home. Colourful and various shape kites are flown.
In Gujrat, Makar Sankranti is also known as Uttarayan
Lohri in North India
In North India - Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal - people make Khicdi in the morning. Kichdi is made of rice and dal (lentils). Families first donate Khichdi to temple/priest and then eat it in breakfast. The cities where holy river Ganga flows such Allahabad, Haridwar - people take bath in the river. In Ahmedabad, Magh Mela (a fair) starts on Jan 14 morning.
Northern India also celebrates Lohri on the night of Jan 13. Lohri denotes the end of winter. People use bonfire and dance. People eat Jaggary sweets (called Gajak, Rewari), peanuts while seating near the fire.
Bhogali Bihu in Eastern India
In Bengal, people celebrate this on Holy river Ganga. A Mela called "Ganga Sagar" is held on the bank of river Ganga. In Assam festival is called - Bhogali Bihu
Not only I Eastern India, but the festival is also celebrated in neighbouring eastern countries such as Myanmar, Thailand.
There are different cultures in different states of India. Sankranti brings joy to all states. It brings whole India together.
Farmers who grow sugar cane in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab celebrate the harvest of Sugar Cane. all states where River Gange is - people take holy bath.
Happy Makar Sankranti, Happy Pongal, Happy Lohri, Happy Bhogali Bihu!!
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