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
