News Excerpt: 

Cultural celebrations are held across many states of India under different names – Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Magh Bihu, etc. on the same day of 14th January.

Why is Makar Sankranti or Pongal celebrated?

• This day (14th Jan) is a marker for a change of season, warmer months are close and we are moving away from winter, which is seen as a period of inactivity in many ways. 
• The northward journey of the sun (Uttarayan) begins on this day. 
• In the Hindu belief system, the end of January heralds the beginning of longer days. 
• It marks the Sun changing directions and shifting its trajectory towards the north, therefore, entering the Makara or Capricorn zodiac sign.
• Scientifically, for the Northern Hemisphere, the axis points move toward the sun in June (specifically around June 21), and away from the sun around December 21. 
• This corresponds to the Winter and Summer Solstice. 
• For the Southern Hemisphere, the above process is reversed.

Why on 14th January:

• Most festivals follow the lunar cycle but Makar Sankranti follows the solar cycle and thus, is celebrated almost on the same day every year. 
• Sankranti is worshipped as a God, who legends believe killed the devil Sankarasur.

Rituals associated with Makar Sankranti or Pongal:

• Sankranti activities, like taking a bath, offering Naivedhya (food offered to the deity) to the Sun god Lord Surya, offering charity or Dakshina, performing Shraddha rituals and breaking fast should be done during Punya Kaal. 
• If Makar Sankranti happens after sunset, all Punya Kaal activities are postponed till the next sunrise.
• Worshippers usually bathe in sacred rivers such as the Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna, and Cauvery.
• For believers, taking a dip absolves them of their sins.

Regional variations in celebrations:

• Tamil Nadu: The four-day Pongal festival in Tamil Nadu begins with bhogi, the day marked for cleaning the house and decorating its entrances with rice powder kolam or rangoli made with dried and coloured vegetables and grains.
• The main festival is celebrated on the second day.
• The third day is celebrated as Mattu Pongal. 
• With mattu meaning bull in Tamil and ponga meaning the abundance of rice, the festival honours the toil of bulls in ensuring a good harvest. 
• Every year, farmers assemble at the temple to offer prayers and seek blessings from Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha and Lord Krishna.
• Pongal, a dish of rice mixed with boiled milk and sugar is prepared by all during this festival. 
• In Karnataka, the saying “Ellu bella thindu olle mathaadi” is heard, which translates to “eat the mixture of sesame seeds and jaggery and speak good words”. 
• A similar saying is popular in Marathi: “Tilgul ghya aani god god bola” (Here, have til-gud and speak sweetly).
• Women and children go door-to-door exchanging plates containing a piece of sugarcane, a mixture of sesame seeds and jaggery and candy made out of caramelised sugar. This tradition symbolises the virtues of sharing and spreading happiness. 
• Farming communities also dress their cattle in vibrant costumes and jewels and make them jump across a big fire pit. This showcase of cattle is locally known as ‘Kicchu Haisodu’.

• In northern India, sesame and jaggery ladoos or chikkis are distributed. 
• In Bihar, the festival is called ‘Khichdi’ and a dish of the same name (rice and lentils) is prepared. 
• Bonfires are organised in Punjab and elsewhere, with people walking around the fire and throwing groundnuts, even popcorn in the present-day, into the blaze. 
• Kite-flying takes place in parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat, along with the International Kite Festival held annually in Ahmedabad. In the evening, sky lanterns are also flown.

• In eastern India (Assam), the Magh Bihu is also called Bhogali Bihu, which is quintessentially the festival of food. The Magh Bihu marks the end of the harvesting season. 
• The eve of the Magh Bihu is called the Uruka. It is the most gastronomical night of the year in Assam when family and friends get together and feast around a bonfire. 
• The next day is the main Magh Bihu. In the early morning, people take a bath and burn the main ‘Meji’ built with bamboo and wood. Varieties of Pitha or rice cakes which are parts of the Assamese delicacy add richness to the feast.

Conclusion: 

Makar Sankranti is celebrated with diverse traditions across India, this festival unites communities in a festive spirit fostering unity amid cultural diversity. From sacred river baths to regional culinary delights like Pongal and Khichdi, the festival embodies gratitude to nature and communal joy.