Sankranti

Sankranti, Sankranthi, Makar Sankranti or Makar Sankranthi is a celebrated on January 14th.

Sankranti is a day of month when sun moves from one Zodiac sign to other.  It is derived from word - Sat + Kranti means good change or auspiciios movement. Sankranti also signify change. Sankranti is considered an auspicious day.  Makar means Capricorn.  On Makar Sankranti sun moves from Sagittarius into Capricorn.

Sankranti vs Makar Sankranti

Sankranti is once in a month.  Makar Sankranti is celeberated once in year.

Makar Sankranti in India

Makar Sankranti is celeberated in every parts of India. In local language hindi, Telgu, Marathi, Kannada, Assamese it is written as

Hindi: मकर संक्रान्ति

Telugu: మకర సంక్రాంతి

Marathi: मकर संक्रान्ति

Kannada: ಮಕರ ಸಂಕ್ರಾಂತಿ

Assamese: মকৰ সংক্রান্তি

Makar Sankranti in South India

Makar Sankranthi is very special for Anadhra Pradesh or AP.  It is also known as Pongal festival.  the festival is celeberated for 3 days.  People wear new cloth, exchange gift. Rangolis (colorful decoration) are made at each home.

In Karnataka and Tamil nadu too Makar Sankranti is celebrated with equal enthusiasm. Farmers celebrate the harvesting of Suger cane.

Makar Sankranti in Western India

In Western India - Rajasthan, Gujrat, Maharashtra Makar Sankranti is a very special festival.

In Rajasthan, Gujrat a kite festival is organized.  The kite season starts before Sankranti.  On Jan 14, kite festival is celeberated full day. It is an official Kite day.  Gujrat even organize international kite festival on this day.  People reach to open areas or roof of their home.  Colorful and various shape kites are flown. 



In Gujrat Makar Sankranti is also known as Uttarayan

Makar Sankranti in North India

In North India - Delhi, Punjab, Haryana , Himachal - people make Khicdi in morning. Kichdi is made of rice and dal.  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 river. In Ahmedabad Magh Mela (a fair) starts on Jan 14 morning.



Northern India also celeberate Lohri on night of Jan 13. Lohri denote the end of winter.  People use bon fire and dance. People eat Jaggary sweets (called Gajak, Rewari), peanuts while seating near the fire.

Makar Sankranti in Eastern India

In Bengal people celebrate this on Holy river Ganga. A Mela called "Ganga Sagar" is held on bank of river Ganga. In Assam festival is called - Bhogali Bihu



Not only i Eastern India, the festival is celebrated in neighboring eastern countries such as Myanmar, Thialand.



There are different cultures in different states of India.  Sankranti brings joy for all states.



Farmers who grow suger cane in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab celebrate 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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