Makar Sankranti is the traditional harvest festival celebrated in different parts of the country with great joy and enthusiasm. According to the solar calendar, when the sun moves from Dakshinayana to Uttarayana, in the month of Poush, it marks the end of long winter season and beginning of harvest season. Makar means 'Capricorn' and Sankranti is the the day when the sun enters the zodiac sign of Capricorn. It is one of the few Hindu festivals which are celebrated on the fixed date i.e. 14 January.
History :- Apart from being the auspicious harvest festival, Makar Sankranti is also regarded as as the 'holy phrase of transition', marking an end to the unfortunate phase, which according to the Hindu Calendar begins around mid-December. According to the legends, Sankranti is a deity, who killed demon named Sankarasur. The day followed by Makar Sankranti is known as Karidin or Kinkrant. It is believed that the person who dies in the dakshinayan period is freed from the cycle of birth and rebirth and attains Moksha.
Celebrations :- Considered as the most auspicious day among the Hindus, the day begins with people taking the holy dip in the waters of rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Krushna and Kaveri and worship of Sun God . The day is celebrated with diverse traditional rituals and customs and is known by different names in different parts of the country.
In Punjab, Sankranti is called Lohri. On this eve Punjabis worship fire, at night friends and relative gather around fire, and throw puffed rice, til and popcorns into the flames of bonfire. People make merry by singing traditional folk songs and dancing around the fire. Bhangra is quite popular on this day.
In Uttar Pradesh eve of Makar Sankranti is celebrated as 'Khichiri'. Taking a dip at the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati is considered as highly sacred on this day.
In Gujarat, there is custom of flying kite and exchanging gifts among the relatives. In Maharashtra on the Makar Sankranti day people exchange til guds and tilladoos. Deep south in Tamil Nadu, the festival is celebrated as Pongal in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
In Madhya Pradesh and Bundelhand the festival is popular as 'Sukarat'. People in Madhya Pradesh make special dish and celebrate the festival with great merriment accompained by traditional singing and dancing.
In Bengal a big fair is held at Ganga Sagar every year where the river Ganga enters into the sea. The mela is attended by large number of tourists from all around the world.
Dates of Makar Sankranti 2012 -14 jAN 2012
Lohri 2012 - 13 Jan 2012
Dates For Pongal 2012 -January 14 to January 17
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