Makara Sankranti or Maghi, is a festival day in the Hindu calendar, dedicated to the deity Surya. It is observed each year in January. It marks the first day of the sun's transit into Makara, marking the end of the month with the winter solstice and the start of longer days.
Celebrations mean varied range of delicacies, especially during Makar Sankranti. It is also marked with kite flying, attending fairs aside from finger-licking food.
Why is Makar Sankranti celebrated?
For an agriculture-dependent country like India, it means the end of cold, unyielding winters. The six-month auspicious phase according to Hindu scriptures, known as Uttarayana, also begins on the day of Sankranti.
Watch this video to understand the significance of the festival;