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Commonly known as Harvest Festival, Makar Sankranti is celebrated pan India on January 14 every year. A day dedicated to Lord Surya, the devotees celebrate the day by taking a dip in the holy Ganges river and mark the arrival of spring.

According to the Hindu calendar, the day is synonymous to flying kites as well and people across the country is seen to fly beautiful and colorful kites from rooftops to make this day more vibrant.

Photo by Deepannita

Unity in diversity, as India is often known for, this festival is observed on the same date but with different names across the country- In Andhra Pradesh, it is known as Pedda Panduga, Magha Mela in parts of central and north India, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Makar Sankranti in Karnataka, in Assam as Magh Bihu. Just the day before Makar Sankranti, in Punjab, Lohri, is celebrated, which is the Punjabi harvest festival.

No Indian festival is complete without sweets, which is a symbol of peace, happiness, and joy. Sweets made of jaggery and sesame are wrapped in beautiful boxes is usually seen when it comes to greeting each other. As a part of the tradition, huge bonfires are lit in the evening and sweets and puffed rice are offered to the fire as it marks the beginning of the auspicious phase in Hindu culture known as Uttarayana period.

image: source

For people associated with agriculture and farming, this time is earned after the hard work in fields and signifies a period of socializing and family get-together which is followed by a celebration.

Also, according to reports, this year at Prayagraj, the Ardh Kumbh Mela will begin from January 14 and continue till March 3 at the Triveni Sangam – the holy confluence of river Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati.

PM Modi also sends his regards on this auspicious day through a post –

Popular sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik also made a beautiful sand art at Puri beach in Odisha, which is winning hearts-

In case you are wondering how to greet your loved ones and express your happiness, take a cue from netizens, who are sharing warmth and charm of the festival through beautiful posts on social media-

Happy Makar Sankranti to all!

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