Makar Sankranti is celebrated in various parts of India and is a major harvest festival of India. It is known with different names in different parts of India and the rituals followed are also different. It is generally celebrated on a fixed date14th January every year. According to the lunar calendar, the harvest season starts when the sun moves from the Tropic of Capricorn to the Tropic of Cancer in the month of ‘Pausha’ during the mid-January. When the sun moves from one zodiac sign to the other one, it is called ‘sankranti’ and as the sun moves into the Capricorn zodiac which is also known as ‘makar’; the occasion is called ‘Makar Sankranti’. This day has been mentioned in the ancient epics like ‘Mahabharata’ also. In most of the states in east, west and central India, the day is celebrated as ‘Makar Snakranti’ , with the name ‘Maghi’ in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, and with the name ‘Bihu’ in Assam and as ‘ Pongal’ in south India. This festival is celebrated in a vast part of south Asia. On this auspicious day millions of Hindus take a dip in the sacred places such as Prayag and Ganga Sagar-(the place where River Ganga meets Bay of Bengal) and pray to Sun God (Surya). In the western India, colorful kites are flown. On this occasion, Goddess Saraswati is also worshipped. On this occasion, laddus made of til (sesame seeds) and jiggery are made which keep the body warm and provide it high energy.
