India is a land of festivals and people celebrate them with lots of pomp and enthusiasm. Many traditions and customs are followed intrinsically during the festivals which are also a time of joy, harmony, peace and amity among the people.

The festival of Makar Sankranti is celebrated in many states of India and it marks the transition of the sun into the northern hemisphere or to the Tropic of Cancer. Hence this festival is also called Uttarayana which is the six month period that begins with Makar Sankranti. It heralds the arrival of summer days and also of the fresh harvest which is initially offered to the Gods.

Makar Sankranti is celebrated by different names in India.

Andhra Pradesh and Telangana : 

Here, the Sankranti celebrations is a three-day affair. On the first day called 'Bhogi', people discard old and derelict things. It signifies the need to forego old habits, vices and attachment to material things. The second day is 'Makar Sankranti'. People wear new clothes, pray to God and make offerings to ancestors. Various traditional delicacies are prepared and the front yard of houses are decorated with beautiful Rangolis. The third day called 'Kanuma' is very intimate to farmers who pray and showcase their cattle with honour.

Gujarat :

Here, the festival is called Uttarayan. Gujaratis keenly await this festival to fly kites. On two days of Uttarayan, the skies are filled with thousands of kites which the people enjoy flying on their terraces. Special festival recipes like undhiyu and chikkies are savoured during this day. 

Maharashtra:

Here, people exchange tilguls( made of sesame seeds and jaggery ). The underlying significance of this ritual is to forget all ill feelings and resolve to be friends and speak sweetly. Sweet Til polis are served for lunch.

On this auspicious day, married women are invited for a get together called 'Haldi kunku" ( meaning turmeric vermilion ) and are given gifts such as utensils, clothes etc.

Punjab ;

In Punjab, this festival is celebrated as Lohri. Lohri commemorates the passing of winter solstice. The key feature of Lohri is the bonfire which signifies the return of longer days. It is also seen by many as the harvest festival. It is traditional to eat gajak, Sarson ka saag with Makki di roti, groundnuts and jaggery.

Tamil Nadu :

In Tamil Nadu, the festival is called Pongal. It is celebrated by boiling rice with fresh milk and jaggery in new pots which are later topped with sugar, cashew nuts and raisins. It is then allowed to boil over the vessel and when that happens, people shout "Ponggalu Ponggal!" and blow conches. This ritual announces that the year is going to be blessed with good tidings. The new boiled rice is then offered to the Sun God as a sign of gratitude for providing prosperity.

Makar Sankranti is also celebrated in states like Karnataka, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Assam and many other states. People unite and celebrate with great vigour and the faith that the year will bring prosperity and happiness