Makar Sankranti is a popular harvest
festival in the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Sankranti means going from one place to another (one constellation to
another), it marks the commencement of Sun's journey to the Northern
Hemisphere (Makar Rasi), a signal of the onset of Uttarayana Punyakalam.
There are twelve signs of zodiac, resulting in twelve sankranti
celebrations. The most famous sankrantis are however, 'Mesh
Sankranti' and 'Makar Sankranti'. The period
also coincides with the death of the famous 'Bhishma Pitamah' of
Mahabharata.
The festival is a time for communal celebration and thanksgiving for a
bountiful harvest. Prayers are offered, People take holy dips in River
Ganga, its also a time for people to wear new clothes, renovate their
houses, decorate them with colourful floral designs, popularly known as
Rangoli. Kite flying competition takes place every year during the
festival. Makar Sankranti is also celebrated with joy in states of
Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala.
