Makar Sankranti Festivals Festivals of IndiaIndian Panorama

Makar Sankranti Festivals

In Karnataka, farmers celebrate the harvest of crops, especially sugarcane and sesame, as a harvest festival. Bright rangolis are drawn to greet the new month, and a new vessel for making customary desserts is brought into the home. On the last day of the celebration in India, prayers are offered to the cow known as Kanu Pongal. The celebrations are in full swing for this festival honouring the Sun God. During Makar Sankranti, special dishes are made, with a focus on utilizing recently gathered crops. Cattle, particularly cows and bulls, are decorated and worshipped during Makar Sankranti in certain rural areas as a thank you for their assistance with agriculture. The sun entering the sign of Makara is referred to as Makar Sankranti, and the Sankranti word Shankramana signifies to start moving. On the day of Makar Sankranti, which is thought to signify the end of winter and the arrival of warmer days, people ignite bonfires in various regions of Karnataka.