Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is an important Hindu festival celebrated across India to mark the transition of the Sun into the zodiac sign Capricorn (Makara), symbolizing the end of winter and the beginning of longer, brighter days. Observed annually in mid-January, the festival holds great religious, seasonal, and agricultural significance. Devotees take holy dips in sacred rivers, offer prayers to the Sun God, and perform charitable acts believed to bring prosperity and spiritual merit. Known by different names such as Pongal, Lohri, Uttarayan, and Magh Bihu, Makar Sankranti showcases India’s cultural diversity while emphasizing gratitude, renewal, and harmony with nature. The festival is especially significant at pilgrimage sites like Gangasagar, where millions gather for sacred rituals.