January 14th (15th if Leap Year) is celebrated as an auspicious day in Hindu calendar and celebrated across India and some neighboring countries.
It is named differently in different parts of the country, popularly named as Sankranti in central part of India, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Lohri in Punjab, Dahi Chura in Bihar, Khichadi Sankranti in Uttar Pradesh and by many other names.
It coincides with the Bhogi festival in South India.
It is celebrated for some of the following reasons.
- The deity Sankranti, after whom the festival is named, is worshiped as a God. According to Hindu legend, Sankranti killed a demon named Sankarasur.
- It also marks the end of winter season, and start of sun’s journey towards North.
- It is celebrated as a harvest festival in Tamil Nadu and other parts of the country
It is celebrated with joy and different rituals and color decorations across the country. It is considered as a day which brings with prosperity, peace and happiness. Devotees celebrate by taking bath in holy rivers like Ganga, while others wear traditional clothes and sing & dance to folk songs, kite flying, bonfires and sharing sweets with friends and families.
On behalf of team Euphoria, I wish you all a very Happy and Prosperous Makar Sankranthi.
COVID is still around, please make sure you restrict group celebrations, and spend most of the time indoors with you near and dear ones.
