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Makar Sankranti, a harvest festival marking the Sun's transition into the zodiac sign Capricorn (Makara), holds great cultural and spiritual significance. While its roots lie deep in Indian traditions, the festival's celebration extends beyond the country's borders, uniting communities worldwide in gratitude and festivity.
The Significance of Makar Sankranti
This festival, celebrated on or around January 14 each year, signifies the beginning of longer days as the Sun moves northward. It is associated with the harvest season, prosperity, and spiritual renewal. People celebrate by preparing sweets like sesame and jaggery treats, flying kites, and offering gratitude for the bounties of nature.
Makar Sankranti Celebrations Across India
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Lohri (Punjab):
In Punjab, Lohri is celebrated the evening before Makar Sankranti with lively bonfires, traditional folk songs, and dances like bhangra and gidda. It is a time for families to gather and enjoy revari, gajak, and peanuts while offering prayers to the fire for prosperity and good harvests. The festival also holds special significance for newlyweds and newborns in the family.
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Pongal (Tamil Nadu):
Pongal is a grand four-day celebration in Tamil Nadu, where the focus is on expressing gratitude to the Sun God for a bountiful harvest. The highlight is the preparation of the traditional Pongal dish, a sweet and savory rice dish, often cooked in the open to mark the first harvest of the season. People decorate their homes with colorful kolams(rangoli) and celebrate with music, dance, and traditional rituals.
