Makar Sankranti is a festival that is celebrated in many parts of India to mark the beginning of the harvest season and the start of the sun's northward journey. It is typically celebrated on January 14th or 15th and is one of the most important festivals in the Hindu calendar.
Here are some of the major festivals that are celebrated on Makar Sankranti in India:
Pongal: This is a four-day festival celebrated in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is dedicated to the sun god, Surya, and is marked by the boiling of the first rice of the harvest season. People prepare sweet dishes made of rice, milk, and jaggery and exchange greetings and gifts.
Lohri: This is a festival that is celebrated in the northern Indian states of Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. It marks the end of the winter solstice and is typically celebrated by lighting bonfires, singing and dancing, and exchanging sweets and gifts.
Bhogali Bihu: This is a festival that is celebrated in the northeastern Indian state of Assam. It is also known as the "festival of food" and is marked by the preparation of traditional dishes such as pitha (rice cakes) and laru (sweet balls).
Uttarayan: This festival is celebrated in the western Indian state of Gujarat, where it is also known as the "festival of kites". People fly kites to mark the start of the harvest season and enjoy traditional food and sweets.
Maghi: This festival is celebrated in the eastern Indian state of Bihar, where it is also known as the "festival of the poor". People prepare special dishes and sweets and distributed it among the poor and needy.
Sankrant: This festival is celebrated in the state of Maharashtra, where people take a holy dip in the river, perform puja, and exchange sweets and greetings.
Suggi: This is the name of the festival in Karnataka, where people celebrate by playing traditional games and eating traditional food.
Makara Vilakku: This is the name of the festival in Kerala, where it is celebrated by lighting lamps and performing rituals in temples.
Makara Sankranti: This is the most commonly used name for the festival throughout India. It is derived from the term "Makara" which means "Capricorn" and "Sankranti" which means "transition".
Khichdi: This is the name of the festival in UP, where it is celebrated by making Khichdi( a mix of lentils and rice) and ghee and distributing it among people.
In conclusion, Makar Sankranti is an important festival in India, and it is celebrated in many parts of the country with different names and customs. But the main theme is the same- to mark the beginning of the harvest season and the start of the sun's northward journey.
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