Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti marks the transition of the Sun into Makara rashi (Capricorn) on its celestial path, and the six-month Uttarayana period(movement of the sun towards the north direction).

Sankranti means transmigration of the Sun from one Rāshi (constellation of the zodiac in Indian astronomy) to the next. Hence, there are 12 Sankrantis in a year.

There are twelve Sankrantis in a year, out of which Makar Sankraanti has been considered most important because from here begins the Uttarayana punya kaal (Uttarayana auspicious period), and Uttarayana is regarded as the period of Divinity. Although the entire year is considered auspicious, this period is considered slightly more auspicious. All festivals begin following this.

This festival is a harvest festival and is celebrated throughout India. One crop having been harvested, seeds are sown for the next crop.

While Makar Sankranti is most popular in West India, down south, the festival is known as Pongal and in the north, it is celebrated as Lohri. Uttarayan, Maghi, Khichdi are some other names of the same festival.

Til Gul Ghya ani Goad Goad Bola

Til Gul

People exchange the traditional sweet Til Gul and say 'Til-gul ghya ani gud gud bola' which literally means "Have til gul and always speak sweet".

Til Gul is prepared from a mixture of Jaggery and sesame seeds.

Makar Sankranti is a festival to forget the misunderstandings and quarrels of the past, and start speaking sweet with everyone; not just sweet words but with a pleasant and soft heart.

Kites

This is also a festival of Kite-flying. Colourful sky with beautiful kites can be seen in various parts of India.