Lord Surya is worshipped on the Makar Sankranti day and is a form of Nature Worship. A major event on the day is the bathing ritual at Sangam (where river Yamuna, Saraswati and Ganga meets) in Allahabad and also in the famous bathing ghats on River Ganga. Taking a holy dip on the day is considered to cleanse sins committed and this will lead to Moksha (Salvation).
Uttarayana Punyakalam, the day time of Devas, begins with the Makar Sankranti and lasts for six months. This period is ideal for all kind of auspicious activities.
Makar Sankranti is observed throughout India by all communities but with different traditions:
Tribals
The Tribals in our country mark this occasion by lighting bonfires and dancing around it. They all make their particular extravagant dishes and eat it together. The Bhuya tribals of Orissa have their Maghyatra wherein they put up small homemade articles for sale.
Uttar Pradesh
In Uttar Pradesh, Makar Sankranti is known as "Khicheri.". Everybody bathes in the holy waters of Ganga, Jamuna and Saraswati at Prayagraj. It is believed to be auspicious to take a holy dip in these waters.
Punjab
January is the coldest month in Punjab and hence during Makar Sankranti, the advent of the new year is celebrated by lighting a bonfire, popularly known as "lohri" and "maghi". The bonfire signifies the burning away of all evils for a bright and auspicious new year.
West Bengal
In Bengal, It is a mythology that River Ganga had flown in to the Northern region and purified the ashes of the sixty thousand ancestors of King Bhagirath. This mela is attendeda by a large number of pilgrims from East India.
South India
In the south, Makar Sankranti is known Pongal and it is the harvest festival of this region. Rice and pulses cooked together in ghee and milk is offered to the family deity after the ritual worship. everybody is dressed in colorful tunics visit friends and relatives and exchange pieces of sugarcane, a mixture of fried til, molasses, pieces of dry coconut, peanuts and fried gram. The significance of this exchange is that sweetness should prevail in all the dealings.
Maharashtra
In Maharashtra, people exchange sweets and greet each other with a thought - "accept these sweets and speak sweet words". The main reason for exchanging sweets like til guhas and til polis are to forget any past hard and harsh feelings and to start afresh!!!
MP Bundelkhand
Makar Sankranti in the central region of India, madhya pradesh and Bundelkhand is known as “SUKARAT” or "SAKARAT". It is celebrated with great pomp, color and joy.
Gujarat
In Gujarat, this day is celebrated by people giving gifts to their relatives. The Gujarati Pundits on this auspicious day grant scholarships to students for higher studies in astrology and philosophy. This festival thus help the maintenance of social relationships within the family, caste and community. In addition, millions of people get together on the rooftop and fly colorful kites and try to cut each others kites. Whoever is able to cut someone else' kite, they scream "Kai Po Che" meaning I have cut it. Also, everyone shares and eats special sweet called “chikki” made from sesame and rice puffs.
"A beautiful,bright and delighted day,
sun entered makar to intense the ray.
crop harvested to cheer the smiles,
come together and enjoy the life.
kites flying high to touch the happiness,
til mangled with sweet to spread sweetness.
Time to enjoy the moment with full intensity
very happy prosporous Makar Sankranti."
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