Makar Sankranti is observed as a reverence to the Lord Surya, the god of sun. It marks the first day of sun’s transit into the Makara or capricorn from Dhanu Rashi. It marks an end to the month with winter solstice and begins a new journey to longer days. This is one of the few Hindu festival set on solar cycle as it falls every year on same date Jan 14th. Many festivals are celebrated along with Makar Sankranti with different names all across India, like Lohri in Punjab and Haryana, Pongal in tamil Nadu, Maghi in Himachal, Uttarayana in Gujarat, Bihu in Assam. This day is celebrated as rising towards the sun, with new enlightenment. It is a four day celebration and it also marks the day when Lord Shiva married Parvati. It begins the Tamil New year, and also inaugurates rice harvest. The massive kumbh mela is Prayag happens on this day. Dances, kite flying, bon fire, feasts, singing and asking for treats mark the celebration for this festival.
