Makar Sankranti is just a week away, on January 14. In most states of India, Makar Sankranti is synonymous with the harvest festival - a time for rejoicing and welcoming the spring season. Makar Sankranti marks the beginning of a six-month auspicious period known as Uttarayana, when the Sun travels to the northern hemisphere, according to the Hindu calendar. States across India, celebrate Makar Sankranti in unique ways. This is the time for family get-togethers, celebrating around bonfires and flying kites. The main rituals include Ganga snan or taking a holy dip in the Ganga, Anna daan or charity and making special Makar Sankranti delicacies line Dahi Chuda, Khichri and sweets made of til or sesame and jaggery.
2021 Makar Sankranti image: Gajaks are one of the most popular delicacies during Makar Sankranti
2021 Makar Sankranti image: Kite flying is a big part of Makar Sankranti celebrations
Makar Sankranti 2021 celebrations: 10 key things to know about the festival
Makar Sankranti is a celebration of a bumper harvest - the winter rabi cropOn Makar Sankranti, the Surya devta or the Sun God is worshipped as a mark of gratitude for blessing the farmers with a good cropIt marks the Sun's transit into Makara or Capricorn, which means the end of the winter solstice and the start of longer daysIn Gujarat and Rajasthan Makar Sankranti is known as Uttarayana, in Haryana and Punjab Makar Sankranti is known as MaghiIn Kerala, the festival is known as Makaravilakku, when the divine light is seen on the Sabarimala hills and thousands of visitors come to witness the lightIn Tamil Nadu, Pongal, the biggest festival of the state is celebrated on Makar SankrantiIn West Bengal and the eastern states, Poush Sankranti is celebrated on the same day and Goddess Lakshmi is worshippedIn many states, people fly colorful kites together with friends and it is a big part of the Makar Sankranti celebrations. People also fly sky lanterns in the eveningOn Makar Sankranti, people both in the countryside and in cities clean their houses, decorate the entrance with flowers and mango leaves and draw beautiful rangolisMakar Sankranti delicacies are unique in every state. Sweets made of til or peanuts and jaggery and various kinds of gajaks are very popular. Kheer and khichri of various kinds are also made.
2021 Makar Sankranti image: Holy dip in the Ganga is an important ritual during Makar Sankranti
