Makar Sankranti 

Sankranthi means transmigration of Sun from one R�shi (zodiac in Indian astrology) to the other. Hence there are 12 such Sankrantis in all. However, the Sankranthi festival usually refers to Makara Sankaranti, or the transition of the Sun from Dhanu rashi (Sagittarius) to Makara rashi (Capricorn).

the traditional Indian Calendar is based on lunar positions, Sankranti is a solar event. So while dates of all Hindu festivals keep changing as per the gregorian calendar, the date of Makar Sankranti remains constant, 14 January. Makar Sankranti is celebrated in the Hindu Calendar month of Magha.

There is another significance of this day - after this day the days start becoming longer and warmer and thus the chill of winter declines. 

In India, it is known by different names and celebrated with different customs in different parts of the country:

*Makar Sankranti or Sankranti - Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, orissa, Manipur, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Goa.

*Uttarayan-Gujarat, Rajasthan

*Lohri - Himachal Pradesh, Punjab

*Pongal -  Tamilnadu

*Makara Vilakku Festival - Sabarimala Temple 

The Puranas say that on this day Surya (Sun) visits the house of his son Shani(Saturn), who is the swami of Makar Rashi (Zodiac Capricorn). These father & son do not ordinarily get along nicely, but in spite of any difference between each other Lord Sun makes it a point to meet each other on this day. Father in fact himself comes to his son's house, for a month. This day symbolized the importance of special relationship of father & son. It is the son who has the responsibility to carry forward his fathers dream and the continuity of the family.

Another well-known reference of this day came when the great grandsire of Mahabharata fame, Bhishma, declared his intent to leave his mortal coil on this day. He had the boon of Ichha-Mrityu from his father, so he kept lying on the bed of arrows till this day and then left his mortal coil on Makar Sankranti day. It is believed that the person, who dies during the period of Uttarayana, becomes free from transmigration. So this day was seen as a sure-shot Good Luck day to start your journey or endeavors to the higher realms beyond.

  Celebration

   In Maharashtra

In Maharashtra on the Sankranti day people exchange multi-colored tilguls made from til (sesame seeds) and sugar and til-laddus made from til and jaggery. Gul-polis are offered for lunch. While exchanging tilguls as tokens of goodwill people greet each other saying - ‘til-gul ghya, god god bola' meaning ‘accept these tilguls and speak sweet words'. The under-lying thought in the exchange of tilguls is to forget the past ill-feelings and hostilities and resolve to speak sweetly and remain friends.

This is a special day for the women in Maharashtra when married women are invited for a get-together called ‘Haldi-Kumkum' and given gifts (utensil, clothes, etc.), which the woman of the house purchases on that day. Typically, women wear black sarees on this occasion.

Gujarat

This is one of the major festivals of Gujarat. It is a two day festival.

1. 14th Uttarayan 2. 15th Vasi-Uttarayan(stale Uttaryan)

Gujaratis await this festival for flying kites. All family members, friends go to their terrace and fly kites. Loud music is played in background to pump up the energy. They cut each other, neighbours kites and shout kaade, kapyo che in enthusiam. At night, special paper laterns called Tukkals are attached to kites and flown in the sky which creates a beautiful view.

Undhiyu (mixed winter vegatable) and til, peanut chikkis are eaten on this day.

The Gujarati Pundits on this auspicious day grant scholarships to students for higher studies in astrology and philosophy. This festival thus helps the maintenance of social relationships within the family, caste and community.