UPSC Articles
Makar Sankranti being celebrated all over India
Part of: GS Prelims and GS-I – Culture
In news
- The Vice President of India greeted fellow citizens on the eve of the festivals of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Bhogali Bihu, Uttarayan and Paush Parbon.
- These festivals are celebrated in diverse yet similar ways, across India.
Key takeaways
- Makar Sankranti is a festival day in the Hindu calendar, in reference to deity Surya (sun).
- Makar Sankranti is observed according to solar cycles.
- It is held normally on the 14th of January, or a day before or after.
- In certain regions celebrations can go on for even four days and vary a lot in the rituals.
- It marks the – first day of sun’s transit into the Makara (Capricorn), marking the end of the month with the winter solstice and the start of longer days.
- It is also celebrated as a harvest Festival.
Do you know?
Different names of the same festival
- Makar Sankranti – Odisha, Maharashtra-Goa, Andhra-Telengana, Kerala and most of the north India
- Paush Parbon – Bengal
- Pongal – Tamil Nadu
- Bhogali Bihu – Assam
- Lohri – Punjab and Jammu
- Maghi – Haryana and Himachal
- Khichdi Parwa – parts of Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh
