Makar Sankranti is a major Hindu festival celebrated all across the country.
According to traditions, the Sun enters Capricorn (Makar in Hindi) on this day. Jaggery and sesame are considered auspicious and are offered on this day. Though the festival of Makar Sankranti is celebrated on January 14 every year, this year it will be celebrated on January 15.
Makar Sankranti will commence on January 14 at 08.43 pm and will end at 05.40 pm the next day. That is why according to Udayatithi, it will be celebrated on January 15 itself.
In many Indian cities people fly kites on Makar Sankranti as a festive ritual. In Gujarat, kite flying competition is also held on this occasion. On the other hand, in Assam people celebrate it as ‘Bihu’, in West Bengal it is celebrated as ‘Poush Parbon’ and in Tamil Nadu it is celebrated as ‘Pongal’.
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