Makar Sankranti celebrated on January 14 is also called as Uttarayan
Makar Sankranti marks the end of Malmaas, which is considered as an inauspicious month in the Hindu calendar. It also symbolises Sun’s transition to the zodiacal sign of Makar (Capricorn) which heralds a seasonal change.
The day of transition is celebrated in different states with different names, but the theme remains common for all which is the ‘harvest season’. In the north, it is celebrated as Lohri, in Assam as Bhogali Bihu and in the south as Pongal.
Makar Sankranti reflects unity in diversity. Every state in India has different ways of celebrating Makar Sankranti but the theme – harvest season – is the uniting factor.
From Makar Sankranti, the Sun starts its movement towards northern hemisphere, thereby marking winter season’s end and eventually days start getting longer. Hence, Makar Sankranti is known with the name of Uttarayan, which marks the beginning of an auspicious period.