Makar Sankranti and the harvest festivals
AI-drafted · awaiting admin review
One day in mid-January, many names: Sankranti, Pongal, Bihu, Lohri, Uttarayan, Khichdi Parv.
Where: All of IndiaWhen: Around 14 January, when the Sun enters Makara (Capricorn)
How it is performed
- Tamil Nadu celebrates Thai Pongal over four days: Bhogi, Thai Pongal, Mattu Pongal (honouring cattle) and Kaanum Pongal.
- Assam celebrates Magh (Bhogali) Bihu with community feasts and bonfires (meji).
- Punjab lights Lohri bonfires on the eve, with songs, rewri and peanuts.
- Gujarat fills the sky with kites on Uttarayan. Maharashtra shares tilgul. Uttar Pradesh and Bihar eat khichdi and take holy dips.
Significance
These festivals thank the Sun, the land and farm animals for the harvest and mark the Sun's northward journey (Uttarayan), the start of longer days.